Saltaire Brewery’s Beer Festival is another record breakerWinner!

Yet again, Saltaire Brewery managed to break all records at its September Beer Festival, held at the brewery on Dockfield Road on 18th and 19th September.

Last year’s event, the first that the brewery had organised, was an instant winner, with over 1300 guests, but these years was even better. The Brewery had decided to control Friday’s numbers by selling tickets in advance, with all 450 tickets being sold out six weeks before the event! “You can never depend on the English weather”, said Saltaire Brewery’s MD, Paul Simpson, “So we didn’t want to overcrowd things too much on the Friday.”

With well over 1000 visitors over the course of the day on Saturday, this event was certainly popular. Some stayed for just one drink, whilst others just stayed to the bitter end at 11pm. Saturday was ‘pay-on-the-door’, allowing many people to attend both the Beer Festival and the ever popular village festival in Saltaire. Cecile Simpson, Saltaire Brewery’s Marketing Manager commented, ”It was such a fabulous weekend that many of our visitors walked along the canal from Saltaire Village. We had a huge gazebo in the yard, with lots of tables and chairs outside too, so many people lazed the day away on the grass or brought picnics.” She went on to say, “We also made sure we had plenty of toilets this year and so many lovely beers that there was no chance of us running out this time!”

The festival featured a range of more than 28 beers and 3 ciders from across the UK. “We tried to have a mixture of beers; dark and pale, strong and light and of course some fruity numbers, to tempt even the most seasoned palate,” said Tony Garland, Head Brewer.

Well, the consensus of opinion was that they got it right! Next year’s festival is already in the planning stages, but if drinkers can’t wait until then, they can sample Saltaire Brewery’s beers at their Beer Club nights, which take place on the last Friday of the month, from 4 – 10pm. Entry is free and with beer at just £2 per pint, you’d be mad to miss it!