Choice? Who needs Choice?
Where it all began - 10 Years ago
The Independent Salford Beer Festival was founded to raise money to help a much needed Community Centre afloat.
It did that. And then some.
But the form it took was based on what I (Jim) wanted from a beer festival - but rarely got.
Space. Comfort. Relaxation. And great beer.
But in the first two years there was something missing.
2014 & 2015 - Cask Only
Yes. The beers were great. Something must have worked OK, because people who came in Year 1 (back in 2014) came back. To a small, hidden away, Community Centre.
But still……
.... At beer festivals, I always wanted to try something…. different. Something that I couldn't try every day.
Back in the day, that meant Darkness. Milds, Porters & Stouts. You simply couldn't get them in most pubs where I lived. And true Freehouses were few and far between.
And that was it. What was missing. I wanted something new. So, in 2016 for #ISBF3, I took this to its logical end…
Everything new. The term “First Pour” came later, but everything needed to be “First Pour”, at least in the Manchester area. guests had no choice BUT to drink new beer.
On the Saturday lunch session of #ISBF3 I clearly recall a local brewer - who shall remain unnamed - telling me that I wouldn't be able to pull that off again…..
8 years later, we go again.
This stage of the “planning” process is the fun part.
Collabs (mostly) set. Recipes agreed. Emails sent to see what's possible.
And the beer list starting to take shape…
Balance - in more ways than one - is always the aim. And that's reflected in the collabs.
Before last week, I'd never even HEARD of a Sticke Altbier, but here we are….
Table Beer, Funky Saison, Pales, IPA, West Coast IPA, Heritage Styles, Porter, Breakfast Stout,, Double Stout….. There's more to be arranged.
Mmmmmm......Hops (Best things about collabs : Aromas)
And that's just the collabs
From hereon in, the list builds quite quickly. And I keep it very close (keeping that secret is another fun part of this process!), but, if you've been before, you know what to expect……
Belgian Style Red anyone……..
No hype. No idle boasts. If you've been, you know. And if you haven't - and love great beer - you should.
Next collab post, in just over a week.
Coming soon.....