Dorchester Beerex is returning to the town’s Corn Exchange next month, presented by West Dorset CAMRA and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club.
Left to right, at last year’s festival, are Tom Dorrington, Thea Watts, Dave Watts, Dave Moon, and Rachel Larkin. Photograph: Rich Gabe
The festival takes place over four sessions, starting at lunchtime on Friday, 2nd February, and ending on the evening of the following day. It will feature more than 100 ales and ciders. There will also be musical entertainment throughout.
Local beers will include Eight Arch’s Corbel IPA, Gyle 59’s The Favourite porter, Tally Ho! from Palmers, of Bridport, and Duroplis Rising IPA, from the new Big Dig Brewery, based near Winterborne Kingston.
Once again, Cerne Abbas Brewery is the main festival sponsor. It will be presenting a festival ‘one-off’, Vic’s Secret, a 4.6% ABV fruity pale ale.
There will also be breweries from further afield, such as Shiny and Pentrich from Derbyshire, Stewart from Scotland, Oakham from Cambridgeshire, and former Champion Beer of Britain, Surrey Hills Brewery’s Shere Drop.
For cider drinkers, there will be a traditional range, such as Cranborne Chase Vintage and Dorset Nectar Wild Cat, to the new wave of flavoured ciders with real fruit.
The festival, now in its 35th year, has so far raised funds for worthy causes in excess of £248,000. This year’s profits will see the £250,00 barrier smashed.
This year’s primary charity is Amelia’s Rainbow, named after Dorset girl Amelia-Grace Cooper, who sadly lost her life to cancer. Amelia’s Rainbow supports children in Dorset and the surrounding area suffering from any terminal, life-limiting, serious, and chronic illness.
“I feel honoured and privileged to be co-ordinating such a fantastic dedicated committee of people, all looking forward to celebrating breaking through the quarter of a million pound mark,” said Beerex committee chairman, Adrian Carey.
“Beerex is proof that beer and cider can be associated with positive things. I am looking forward immensely to the Friday opening, where I will be raising a glass to all who have volunteered for or sponsored the event.”
Tickets for the festival are available online here. They can also be bought at: The Convivial Rabbit, Tom Browns, and Copper Street Brewery Tap, in Dorchester; The Brace of Butchers, Poundbury; and The Globe Inn, Weymouth.
Any local businesses or individuals interested in barrel sponsorship should contact Dave Harris on 07977 918130 or visit the festival website.
