A virtual beer festival in March will be dedicated to the memory of Driftwood Spars brewer Pete Martin, who passed away all too early in 2020.
Pete Martin pictured with Mouse, the Driftwood Spars Brewery cat
The Dark, The Light, and the Saison returns on 12th March, online for the first time in its 12-year history.
The interactive event will bring together brewers and beer lovers from across the UK and beyond in a celebration of small, independent breweries and the diversity of styles they make across those three distinct categories.
The event is timed to coincide with what would have been Pete’s 58th birthday and will introduced Pete’s Mild, created by his successor, Mike Mason, in tribute to the eternally cheerful brewer. It won’t be lost on Pete’s friends that the name of the beer sounds like ‘Pete Smiled’, which raises a cheery memory.
Driftwood Spars landlady, Louise Treseder, started working alongside Pete in 2007. She said: “We’re really looking forward to bringing people together — albeit virtually — after 12 extraordinarily tough months for our industry. We want to contribute to Pete’s legacy and look to the future of his beloved brewery here in Trevaunance Cove.”
Mike added: “I know so many of our regular customers are missing their visits to Trevaunance Cove, to buy beer at our coastal brewery and sample a pint or two in the pub. It’s a real enclave of appreciation for genuine, small-batch beer.
“This online event will replicate that as much as possible, transporting participants here while they can’t visit in person.”
Participants are invited to pre-order a tasting case of beers ahead of the event, which includes Pete’s Mild and beers from other breweries with close ties, including Harbour Brewing and Atlantic Brewery in Cornwall, and Wild Beer Co in Somerset. Beers from as far afield as the Midlands and Belgium will also feature.
A special small-batch release from St Austell Brewery will be one highlight. Cardinal Syn was originally made by brewing director Roger Ryman, who also sadly passed away in 2020.
The cases will come with a schedule of interactive tastings led by Mike and Louise and various guests.
• To find out more and order your festival tasting pack, click here.
