Weymouth Octoberfest is returning for a 20th year, organised by volunteers from the West Dorset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), currently celebrating the branch’s 50th anniversary.
The Octoberfest committee. Left to right are Kylie Stroud, James Bennett, Adrian Carey, Bruce Mead, Alex Bardswell, and Rich Gabe. Photograph: Simon House
The festival will once again be held in Weymouth’s Pavilion Ocean Room, on 16th and 17th October. There is seating for more than 300 visitors.
As it’s the festival’s 20th year, organiser wanted to reflect on the first ever festival with a return to beers from the West Country.
As there are so many breweries within the original West Country counties of 20 years ago, the committee have decided to concentrate on beers from Cornwall, Devon, and Dorset this year, and Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire next year, explained bar manager Rich Gabe. “There will be breweries we have never had at Weymouth before, alongside well-respected favourites.”
The festival will see a welcome return from Dorchester-based Copper St Brewery, who are currently establishing new premises in a former army hospital.
Tickets will go on sale on 1st August at weymouthpavilion.com/ or call 01305 783225. They can also be bought from the Pavilion box office, The Dolphin, Globe, and Doghouse pubs in Weymouth, Copper Street Brewery Tap and The Convivial Rabbit, in Dorchester, and The Royal Portland Arms, on Portland.
