Beer festivals organised by CAMRA branches are starting to return. Jonathan Kemp, CAMRA’s Events Director, said, “I am sure we have all missed the social benefits of a drink with friends, and look forward to meeting up with loved ones and fellow branch members over a pint at a festival. Over the past two years, the safety and protection of the hundreds of attendees, stewards, bar staff and other volunteers was at the very top of the list of CAMRA’s priorities. I am delighted not only to see festivals opening their doors once more, but also to be able to assure attendees that their safety is paramount in our planning. If you have any concerns or questions, you can visit our website for details of our health and safety documents, and frequently asked questions.” The website is here.
Festivals will be adopting rigorous measures to ensure that all involved, on either side of the bar, are kept safe. You can expect the following:
•Specific cleaning and sanitisation plans and glass guidelines
•Contactless payments wherever possible
•Tickets sold in advance of all sessions
•Use of Track & Trace
•Social distancing where possible
•For indoor festivals, windows and doors open to provide ventilation
PIG’S EAR BEER FESTIVAL
First up in London is Pig’s Ear. Here is a message from the organisers, ‘We’re really looking forward to hosting drinkers in the magnificent Round Chapel in Hackney once again. You’ll be spellbound by the largest selection of cask ales in London, as well as keg and cider bars with exclusive specials not to be found anywhere else this winter. Keep an eye on our website and social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @pigsearcamra) for news on the latest developments and tickets. So, make a beer window in your diary, get together with some strangers on a train and make sure your destination is Pigs Ear Beer & Cider Festival 2021. Alfred Hitchcock said, “Drama is life with the dull bits cut out.” We say ‘so are beer festivals!’ The organisers have put in a lot of hard work over many months and came close to running a festival last year, only to be overtaken by events. We wish then every success.
OTHER FESTIVALS
Here, in date order, are some other festivals due to take place in October and November and which are within reasonable distance of London:
•October 1 & 2 – Ascot Beer and Cider Festival
•October 6 to 9 – Bedford Beer and Cider Festival
•October 25 to 30 – Norwich Beer and Cider Festival
•November 18 to 20 – Eastbourne Beer Festival
Please see their respective websites for full details. You can also find details of other festivals at camra.org.uk/festivals.
ST ALBANS FESTIVAL OF PUBS
There will be no St Albans Beer Festival this year. Instead, CAMRA’s South Hertfordshire branch are holding a ‘festival of pubs’ from 24 September to 3 October. It takes the form of a series of pub trails and events, held in collaboration with local publicans. Full details can be found at www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk. Updates will also be published on the festival’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.
REDHILL BEER FESTIVAL
I have heard from the festival organiser that, because of uncertainty over whether a viable and safe festival could be held at present, with much regret the 2021 event has been cancelled. The committee do however believe that a successful return to Merstham Village Hall is possible and planning for a 2022 event will begin in the New Yea