#ISBFHeroes8 - Into The Shed of Dreams

“If I did casually mention tonight, that would be crazy tonight…..”

Way back in early 2014, I was cornered. By Gerry Stone. One of my favourite humans. With a question.

“Why don't you do it?”

The “it”, was a beer festival. To raise money to keep afloat St Sebastian's Community Centre, the Centre that Gerry ran.

You don't say no to Gerry. Ask the Mayor of Salford.

I went home. And tweeted.

“Shit! I think I've just agreed to do a beer fest. I haven't got a clue. HELP!”

And one of the first tweets, of those offering all manner of assistance, was from a man I'd never met. A man who had a brewery in Wakefield.

That man was Malcolm Bastow. That Brewery is Five Towns.

That year, in what became the first ISBF, Malcolm brought Raven King, a beautiful dark beer.

It won Beer of the Festival.

In fact, in the 6 years of the Terrestrial event, Malcolm's little brewery won has Best Beer at ISBF FOUR TIMES.

If you've been, you've seen the line ups. That's one HELL of an achievement.

“…. Hotel garage. Must have been touching close to 94….”

In short, he's an ISBF legend. Quite literally, some of his ISBF beers have entered legend. I still get asked about “that Rhubarb beer” (Always Crashing in the Same Car), brewed using fresh Yeast from Brasserie Orval….. Think about that for a moment…

But more than that. He's a beautiful human. And a dear friend.

Just over five years to the day of #ISBFHeroes8, our son took his own life. He was 17.

On that most tragic of days, I made a decision I've never regretted. To continue with hosting ISBF3. Just two weeks later.

We told very few people. And certainly not many at the event. We didn't want fuss. And anyway, this event is about enjoyment. Friendliness. Kindness. Things that Malcolm espouses.

He put his arm around me. Talked to me. Helped me through. (He still does). He went to the food area, invaded it, lifting TLO in a huge bear hug.

Neither of us forget these things.

He's the best of people. As are his lovely family.

Oh. And he created what is - for me - the best of beer events.

The East West Fest. In Wakefield Labour Club.

Aka “The Red Shed”.

“He used to be my boss and now he is a puppet dancer”

But enough of this sentimentality. I want your money. £50 of it to be precise.

“And what do we get for this less than Princely sum”?

Oh my…… Is this where I disclose OUR 1st ISBF HEROES COLLAB??? Read HERE….

Well. Here's the list…..

'Indian Summer' 3.7% pale single hopped with Cascade × 2

'Bitter Summat' 4.2% Traditional Bitter x 2

'Middle Un' 4.6% Session Pale - Brewed with Mosaic & Nelson Sauvin x 2

'Peculiar Blue' 6% IPA single hopped with Nelson Sauvin x 2

'Tramlined' 7.8% Wee Beastie Stout x 2- brewed by the 2 1/2 Northerners (With thanks to Parky & The Sherpa)

'Night Finisher' 9% Milk Stout x 1

'Fetch me another Mallet' 9.5% DIPA collab with North Riding Brewery.

All 500ml bottles of Wakefield Wonderment. Especially for you.

So. The event itself is on Friday 1st October. On the week of the event, you'll receive an email with links to the Zoom tasting of 3 of these beers. And also links to a specially created Spotify playlist, inspired by Malcolm, created by the lovely Mike & Jo - and it's an absolute belter! (I may have been listening to it a bit….)

Fancy it? Click the link here.

You won't regret it!

Be Kind To One Another.

See you soon.

Jx