#ISBFHeroes14 : A Fantastic Voyage - Farewell to Five Towns
The story has been told previously. How a man I'd never met, was the first brewery to offer to supply the first Independent Salford Beer Festival. With the simple message “BOGOF”
How that small brewery, in a garden shed (HE calls it a “Garage”) in Outwood, West Yorkshire, brewed beers voted (by the drinkers) as “Beer of the Festival” at ISBF, often in contest with the Craftiest of Craft.
How that unassuming man took the bones of the idea for ISBF and created something that has been my favourite event in the beer calendar.
East West Fest.
He became beloved of ISBF attendees with the “Rhubarb & Custard Sweets” (courtesy @_lowest01) beer - aka “Always Crashing In The Same Car”. But to many in the #ISBFFamily, he was loved for who he is, as much as the beers he brewed.
I'll never forget how he sought to comfort TLO (aka The Boss) in the darkest days.
Quite simply, he's the loveliest of humans. As a brewery, he'll be missed (although he knows I'll be at him for as long as ISBF exists, for a collab beer!) but as a human, he's one of us. He's a friend. And a member of the #ISBFFamily.
Having advance notice of his “retirement”, we brewed a beer for Hemsley House back in June. And - as you would expect - it's not a Session Beer.
But, one Friday evening, on our regular Zoom chat, Chris said "We can't just let him go without a proper send off, can we?”
So. I gave him a call…….”This ‘Retirement’ thing…….. How about a little…… delay……. Some collabs……. With friends…….. Let this be the FINAL #ISBFHeroes event………. Whaddya say?”
I dangled the fish. Like a greedy penguin……. He bit. He couldn't help himself.
So, with 2 beers of his own - and five collaborations with friends - we have a tempting little case for you.
The last ever cases of beer from The Shed of Wonder.
So. What have we got?
The usual Zoom MTB style chat - this time a little more loose. (Friday 30th September - 7:30pm) We might even have some of his collab friends on….
A dedicated Spotify Playlist inspired by tunes and beers from Malcolm himself, created by my dear friends Mike & Jo.
And some beer. Lovely beer. Created with love and friendship.
Those beers are…. (2 each of)
Slip Away - 4.6% - A Belgian Pale brewed with Tigertops Brewery
Cruel Summer - 4.6% - A Bread & Butter Pudding Pale brewed with Revolutions
Sparklers My Arse - 5% - A Kveik Red Ale brewed with North Riding Brewery
Dead Man Walking - 6.2% Stout brewed with Chin Chin Brewing
TVC15 - 7.3% IPA brewed with Fernandes Brewery
And…. From the Five Towns stash…… 1 each of….
Night Finisher - 9% Imperial Milk Stout
It's No Game - 9% DIPA
All this - including shipping (courtesy the mighty North Riding Brewery) and £5 to our partner charity (START Inspiring Minds) for the Kingly sum of £50.
Come and join us. Let's say ‘Farewell’ to “Yorkshire's Oldest Brewer” in true ISBF style.
To grab one of these limited cases, click here
You won't regret it.