It's A Wrap! - #ISBF8
Well. It's done. Or at least, it will be. At the end of this post.
An event yet again held together by spider's Web, filigree and sheer goodwill.
Without sounding self-pitying, it's difficult to express what this event does to my brain - in both a positive and negative sense. But I'm always hugely glad when it's over.
But to the positives. The feedback was universally lovely and heartwarming. I absolutely struggle with praise, but to see so many people enjoying themselves, to hear their thoughts on the music, the venue, the beers, was totally heartwarming - well, it thawed MY frozen ticker. And left me - frequently - with “something in my eye”.
The tunes were fabulous. They always are. That's Jo & “Are you Mike from The Independent Salford Beer Festival”? for you. In the words of Lux Interior, they've “Got Good Taste” (check out The Cramps)
The venue is simply gorgeous. And I'm glad we've got access to it. Beautiful and well connected by public transport. We're lucky like that.
And as for the beer selection? This is not my first rodeo, we're now 10 years in. And if almost 13 years of writing about beer tells you anything, it tells you who makes the good stuff.
In 10 years of doing this, you get to know many of the best Brewers in the UK personally. They're good people. And year after year they pull out the stops for this event.
They get “it”. What we're trying to do, to support. At the risk of repetition, this is a NOT FOR PROFIT event, that raises money for a fabulous small, local charity, just 600 yards away from the venue. START Inspiring Minds are just great people, doing amazing things in the ill Mental Health sector in the City of Salford.
They mean the world to me, mine and the #ISBFFamily.
And, YOU the ISBF attendee, have done amazing work. By the simple expedient of drinking fabulous beer, you have made a huge difference to this lovely local charity.
More on that later…..
I was chuffed to be able to bring back the Genius that is George Fell for the Friday & Saturday Evening Sessions. I just wish I could have stayed in the Green Room and listened to the sounds from this magic fingers. If you get the chance to see him live, you really should.
Big thanks to James Horrocks of Balance Brewing and Blending (next year I'll take a keg thanks 🤣) & our friend James Godman from Wilderness Beers of Newtown in Powys for a sublime guided tasting and chat about all things Mixed Fermentation.
This was actually my first taste of Balance beers and they're every bit as good as their reputation.
My fandom of Wilderness beers is a given. And I'm just honoured to get a keg sent….. Thank you both. The feedback was amazing.
Huge thanks also to Sean Ayling (Tom's Tap of Crewe), Stuart Neilson (North Riding Brewery of Scarborough) and Andy Parker (Elusive Brewing of Finchampstead) for the fabulous demonstration of the undeniable.
That West Coast is the Best Coast.
3 different beers. All undeniably West Coast, but each different and exceptional in their own ways. Bitterness to the fore, but again in varying intensity.
Brewers passionate about what they do and who - to me - are among the very best.
It was lovely to have Clare and Daisy back purveyors of beautiful brewery inspired jewellery and magnificent photos.
They kept me laughing and boosted at times when I was flagging, to put it mildly.
Daisy is a fabulous advocate of the best in North East Brewing via “Craft Beer Newcastle” and my go to to find out who's brewing the good stuff.
I can't say enough about Clare. If you haven't seen her jewellery, check it out. It's amazing. I know that “The Boss” was taken aback with her gift from Clare (she definitely had “something in her eye”)
Two lovely humans.
And big love to the breweries who supplied. To those who discounted, donated - either beer, raffle prizes or both - and just provided the best and most balanced beer selection we've ever had - across 95 lines.
You did good. Thank you. You made an enormous difference.
From approximately 6 hours before the doors opened on the Thursday, this event was taken out of my hands and run with by some truly lovely humans.
They deserve thanks and praise. Not least by me.
Chris & Tim - not to forget John on the Friday - thank you for running the two bars. You all know the regard in which I (Jim) hold you.
Mike & Jo. Those tunes. For being “Are you Mike from The Independent Salford Beer Festival”? Tune/Tone setter. (No small thanks to Colin & Sue for stepping in - couldn't have you missing BC Camplight now, could we?)
Jo, Zoe. For repeatedly taking me out of panic mode, being calm, bloody brilliant humans. For possessing those things that I don't. Brains and common sense. And again, being such lovely humans. And with the lovely Max and Caroline, taking the raffle to new heights.
John, for being “Mr Raffle”. It wouldn't be the same without you!
Sarah, Simon, Paul, John (from Hemsley House) and Paige - for volunteering to be First Aiders. HUGE thank yous!
To all of the guys at Team Blackjack - yes, I know I'm a pain, but you bear it all with smiles, patience and generosity. Without you, this would not be possible. Heroes.
Stan Jackson and Steve at Hemsley House. Again, thank you for your time, patience and that beautiful place. Hope I didn't stress you too much!
Andy Heggs of Drumbeat. Design Genius, Website sponsor/designer/up keeper, friend. I've lost count of the number of people who told me that the designs and T-shirts were beautiful. All on you my friend!
Denis & Heather Teece of The Old School Taphouse in Clowne, Derbyshire. For the generous Glassware sponsorship. Thank you so much.
Paul Duffy and The Molly House on Richmond Street, Manchester for their generous Programme and beer sponsorship. Thank you so much. You've got a beautiful place there. Will be back in soon.
John Tweedie & Playhouse 2 in Shaw for their generous poster t and beer sponsorship. Always a pleasure!
Sean & Jacqui Ayling at Tom's Tap in Crewe for being such lovely humans. For the Cheese (and that Marble PX Strong Ale with the piquant Blue was an awesome recommendation Jacqui!). And - oh yes - for supplying the lovely Cider selection! And one magnificent Community Tap Room!
Cath Potter & Dick Withecombe for being my Cider gurus.
The lovely Charlie Hooson-Sykes for being my Gin Queen.
Lee, Sam & Gaz from All Flow Dispense for the set up & take down of the bars, utter stars.
Oli Turton & Squawk for the bar from which we dispensed that Cider!
The ISBF Family. The people who set the tone of this event. Many of whom have been with us since Year 1. They're not “Volunteers”, they're Family. The reasons people return, year on year to a little beer event in a beautiful venue, in this City I call home. They were :
Chris Dixon, Shaun McSweeney, Tim Rowe, Alison Boast, Mark Boast, John O'Donnell, Caz O'Donnell, Nick Clarke, Ann Packwood, Andy Packwood, Bevis Maun, Tina Ambury, Jeff Nixon, Maxine Silcock, Josh Muldoon, Linda Baxter, Chris Airey, Katie Sutton, Jo Dewsnip, Mike Dewsnip, Paul Delaney, Laurent Fernandez-Moreno, Nina Parker-Williams, Gavin McCloskey-Lambert, Chelsea McCloskey-Lambert, Zoe Pearson, Ian and the man without who this event is unlikely to have been founded, Jaz.
Thank you all. You’re the heartbeat. This doesn't work without you.
And last, but by no means least, our lovely sponsors, without who…… words fail me. Up until my Momentary weakness with a week to go, each and every beer was sponsored. That's a first. The difference these people make is almost indescribable. Without them, it is fair to say there may not be a profit to have handed over, a few hours ago…..
Adam Balcombe, Ali Combes, Alison & Mark Boast, Alun Williams, Andrew Rodbourne, Andy Marsh, Ann and Andy Packwood, Bevis Maun, Bob Longworth, Clare at Brewery Jewellery, Chris Airey, Chris Chatwin, Chris Dixon, Chris Lee, David & Emma Marchment, Colin & Sue Murphy, Daisy at Craft Beer Newcastle, Craft Brewtique, CSK Building Services, Darren Berry, David Lee, Des Fisher, Eliot Jones & Owen Gallagher, Elusive Brewing, Euan Clarke and Chloe Hollis, Free Trade Inn Newcastle, Gavin & Chelsea McCloskey-Lambert, Grant Maconachie, Heaton Hops, House of Hops, Howard Crook, Iain Peacock, Ian Sutton, James Mawson, Jeff Nixon, Jo & Nick Payne, Jock Joyce, John and Caz O’Donnell, John and Mary Durkan, John Clarke, John Jackson, Katie Sutton, Keg Cask & Bottle, Laura & Martin Gunning, Rich Caller & Manchester Homebrew Club, Marc Prill, Maree Bruce, Mark Godfrey, Mark Hush, Mark Pursey, Matthew Curtis & Pellicle Magazine, Michael McGrorty, Mike & Hannah Bell, Mike Jones, Mike Pevitt, Mike &-Jo Dewsnip, The Molly House, Nick Moss, Old School Taphouse, Paul Birkett, Paul Delaney, Paul Flint, Paul Tomlinson, Peter Bull, Peter Ryan, Petersgate Tap, Phil Kyte & Kate H, Phil Greenwood, John Tweedie & Playhouse 2, Podiatry Clinics Yorkshire, Rebecca & Martin Nicholl, Reich Group Of Companies, Renshaws Chartered Accountants,Rob Shorten, Robert Dunbar, Robert Preece, Simon & Sarah Gare, Simon Pratt, Simon Turner, Stephen Donaldson, Steve Hewitt, Stuart & Karen Neilson, Zoe Pearson
More on that “profit” thing shortly…..
Anyway. Two matters of some importance……
Beer of the Festival :
When you have almost a 1/3 of the beers available with votes for “Best Beer”, you know you've got something right. To see so many nominated, it warms my heart.
But…..
Here we go……
Equal 3rd Place :
Dolphin Brewery - Composer
Holy Goat - Heather Honeybucket
Neptune - Secret Beach
Joint 2nd Place :
Green Duck - Bostin Mild XXL
Ideal Day - Basket of Herbs
1st
Tom's Tap and Brewhouse - White Stout (Millionaire's Shortbread Edition)
Congratulations all.
I think Sean was slightly taken aback about that, but he's a modest soul.
Now, the other bit.
This afternoon (I’m tearing up as I write this….), I had the privilege of chatting with the current boss of START Inspiring Minds, Michelle Dennett and - on behalf (and because) of you lot - transferred £9,500 into the charity bank account
Thank you all. You did good.
Look after yourselves. And be kind to one another.
Jim xxx
