Nobody Said It Was Easy
“When you climb to the top of the mountain
Look out over the sea
Think about the places, perhaps, where a young man could be
Then you jump back down to the rooftops
Look out over the town
Think about all of the strange things circulating 'round
It ain't easy, it ain't easy
It ain't easy to get to heaven when you're going down”
“It Ain't Easy” - Bowie
In late 2013 I was asked a question, by someone I loved - still do, she's one of the finest humans - and stupidly said “OK”. Since then, life has been about offsetting.
Offsetting the stress of organising a beer festival whilst trying to do the day job (Yes. We have them). That stress was - and still is - offset by the friendships, the love, the memories that flow like the beers we've served now over 10 years.
It isn't easy. But it's been worth it.
Home Sweet Home
I'm not one to take things for granted, never have been. But, without this event, it's highly unlikely that my current circle of dear friends would be in my life. A life that is so much richer for their presence.
Over the last 10 years, they've dragged me & mine from the darkness.
It hasn't been easy. But love can pull you through anything.
There are things that I'm proud of from the last 10 years.
People matter more, much more, than beer ever could. And it never ceases to amaze and humble, that we've got the #ISBFFamily, a lovely group of humans who have given of themselves. People who met at the event and became fast friends all those years ago, in a little tucked away Community Centre in the middle of Salford.
They come together each and every year. The most beautiful humans. They've never been volunteers, they're family. And have been the Heart & Soul of ISBF. The people that make the event what it is.
#BeerPeopleAreGoodPeople
The last year hasn't been easy, but those humans made my year.
The time since #ISBF8 has been a trial.
One hurdle after another to cross.
There are always people who make the assumption that there'll always be another. That there will - obviously - be an #ISBF9, an #ISBF10 ad infinitum.
When I said - during the event - that last year was the final event, I was lectured, in the nicest possible way, about how it HAD to happen again. That they wouldn't allow it to stop. Just tell them what needed to be done and everything can be sorted….
It's not as easy as that….
There are plenty of other beer events for your money. ISBF is but a speck in comparison.
But it's our speck. A speck with heart. A speck with soul. A speck with a purpose. To do good. Help people.
It's always been the point. From helping St Sebastian's Community Centre help their community, to helping Start Inspiring Minds do their vital work in the Community of Salford.
This has never been a beer event. It's been a people event.
As the mighty Tim put it recently, this is a Grassroots event. Built from the ground up. With the love of numerous lovely humans and their hard work, we've raised - as an estimate - around £100k. All for those good causes.
This is not for profit. The humans who did this - the #ISBFFamily - did it for love.
Up to this week - in fact, yesterday - despite what people assume, #ISBF9 was far from certain.
But yesterday was a good day. Ducks fell into a row. Hurdles disappeared (and they were real, believe me) but…
There you go. Note those dates.
Each and every person in the Team wanted this to happen. To get the band back together.
So. Let's go.
From a beer perspective, the event will be smaller. 60 Keg, 20 Cask. Last year, I let things sprawl.
Not this time.
You'll get brand new beers from the best that the UK has to offer. A diversity of malt based liquids the like of which you won't see in one place again.
We'll travel the country brewing with some of the loveliest humans in the industry. Something we love doing.
We don't make grand claims. This event just is what it is. Friendly, relaxed. Full of great beer & fabulous ciders.
But again, this isn't about beer.
It's about people. Always about people.
Who is up for it?
Back soon
Jim x