CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival 2009

Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009 to be announced

21-24 January 2009 - New Century Hall, Manchester.

Deep in the midst of Winter, what better way to avoid the dark days and misty chill than a visit to the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival in January?

Held at the New Century Hall, Manchester from 21st-24th January, the Festival promises to showcase some winter-warming recommendations for the season, combined with a formidable array of over 200 cask ales, bottled ales, ciders and perries.  Families are welcome on the Saturday.

Graham Donning, CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival Organiser, said- ‘Due to the increasing popularity and profile of the event, we are proud to announce that for 2009 we will be ordering in more beer than ever, in part to accommodate the increasing consumer demand for cask ale. Through the success of the Festival it is also hoped that beer styles under threat such as ‘porters' and ‘milds' are given a try during the week by consumers new to real ale, as the Festival plays an important reminder to people unaware of the nation's extensive and diverse brewing history.'

Attention at the Festival will also be centred on the newly crowned Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009. At the 2008 Festival, Wickwar Station Porter from Gloucestershire scooped the accolade for its 6.1% abv Porter described by the Good Beer Guide 2009 as a ‘rich, smooth, dark ruby-brown ale.' The Supreme Champion for 2009 will be announced on January 22nd at the beginning of the Thursday session. 

Donning concludes - ‘Countless hours of organisation have already been put in by CAMRA volunteers in preparation for January, and we are confident the four days will be enjoyed by all. On Saturday we will be concluding the Festival in light-hearted fashion with a pirate-themed fancy dress day, and with popular live-music from Doctor Busker, we hope the Festival is rounded off in ideal fashion.'

The Details -

National Winter Ales Festival Official Website- www.alefestival.org.uk

Opening times-

• Wednesday January 21st, 4:00pm - 10:30pm (£2 entry)
• Thursday January 22nd, 4:00pm - 10:30pm (£3 entry)
• Friday January 23rd, 12 noon - 10:30pm (£3 before 5pm, £5 thereafter)
• Saturday January 24th, 12 noon - 10:30pm (£3 entry)