Campaign For Real Ale's Gosport Winterfest does its bit to support local brewers
LYNX Wildcat, Titanic Wreckage and She Sings Sea Shanties were just a few of the tipples being sampled at this year’s annual Winterfest Beer Festival in Gosport.
The 28th annual event at the Thorngate Halls in Gosport saw 450 drinkers get to choose from a selection of over 60 different beers. The festival was organised by the Campaign for Real Ale.
Camra’s South East Hampshire chairman James Newell said: ‘We have 46 different cask beers and 14 key kegs (plastic containers) along with eight types of ciders. Events like this give people the chance to try something different. We have beers from local and national brewers and drinkers can try ales they may never have had before.
‘The response from people has been fantastic and it has certainly been one of the best festivals we have had.’
A wide selection of food was available to help soak up the alcohol while the Gosport Solent Brass band got people up on the dance floor with their range of both traditional and pop music.
Jed Stone, 73, of Fareham, said: ‘I come to this festival every year. I‘ve really enjoyed the event and my favourite beer was the Titanic Wreckage.’
Friend, Ben Metcalfe, 72, added: ‘There’s been a really lively atmosphere and the band have been great.’
For couple, Kevin May and Gemma Pennicott, both 35, it was their first time at the festival.
Kevin said: ‘I’ve tried five or six of the different beers and have enjoyed them all.’
Gemma added: ‘My favourite beer has been the Reefer. The band have played a really good mixture of classic brass band music and popular songs.’
Ros Gautrey, 69, said: ‘I was asked to come along by my son and I’ve really enjoyed it – particularly the ciders. It’s a really nice social event and it’s good to see a lot of women here as this would not always have been the case.’
Friend, Isobel Jenkins, 42, added: ‘These sort of events are now much more inclusive. People’s perception of women drinking beer has changed.’
Camra hopes the event will help boost the trade of local breweries and pubs. Until recently, the nine-year period from 2010 saw the number of UK pubs decrease at an average rate of 732 each year. Last year was the first year in the last decade that has seen a reverse in this trend.
James said: ‘Hopefully by trying some of these local ales people will be encouraged to go and drink them in their local pubs.’
Festival regular, Jed, added: ‘It’s vital to support your local pub to help keep them going.’