CAMRA information and education manager, Alex Metcalfe
The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) first education space, created at Manchester Beer and Cider Festival, has been judged a success.
The stand saw CAMRA looking to fulfil its commitment “to play a leading role in the provision of information, education and training to all those with an interest in beer, cider and perry of any type”.
Festival-goers had the chance to take part in a range of informal activities, including cask and keg tastings, and the chance to learn about the brewing process, and ingredients such as hops and malts.
Beatnikz Republic Brewing Company provided its Kentucky Stout to sample from both cask and keg, with brewer James Hardwick giving an industry perspective on it. Festival-goers also learned about CAMRA’s Save Our Pubs campaign, and about the organisation’s latest publications, including The Pub Manifesto: A Comedian Stands Up For Pubs — author James Dowdeswell even stopped by to sign copies.
Alex Metcalfe, CAMRA’s information and education manager, said: “The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We wanted to provide unbiased, technically accurate information in an informal and hands-on setting. Many festival-goers shared their support and encouraged us to continue building and expanding our educational support for beer, cider and perry drinkers.”
He paid tribute to the support of the festival organisers and volunteers, who made the success of the pilot possible, and who will be vital to the success of future educational endeavours.
