CityLife

CityLife.co.uk backs 2009 National Winter Ales Festival

The will be 200 beers at the festival

THE biggest event in every real ale lover’s winter calendar is gearing up to return to Manchester’s New Century Hall – and CityLife.co.uk is backing it.
 

The 2009 National Winter Ales Festival – which runs from January 21 to 24 – will feature 200 British and foreign ales, bottled real ales, as well as ciders and perrys. CityLife.co.uk is its official sponsor.
 

The festival, organised by Camra (Campaign for Real Ale), is the country’s biggest real ale celebration, apart from London’s Great British Beer Festival.
 

Thousands of beer fans descended on the Hall, near Victoria rail station, last January to sample the ales, which have an accent on winter brews – especially stouts and porters – and saw the Champion Winter Beer of Britain crowned.
 

The 2008 winner was Wickwar Station Porter, with Stockport brewer Robinson’s picking up the award in the Barley Wines section for their Old Tom.

Sample

As in the past, there will be third-of-a-pint glasses available so drinkers can sample many of the brews on offer without getting more legless than necessary! There will also be entertainment, including live bands.
 

CityLife.co.uk editor Neil Sowerby said: “We are really pleased to be sponsoring the festival next year. It really is a wonderful event in a great venue.
 

“Real ale is becoming more popular and the festival is a great showcase for breweries across the UK.

"In our region we have some truly brilliant micro-breweries as well as larger family-run chains who still have a passion for brewing interesting beers.
 

“The only problem is pacing yourself so you can get through all four days of it!”

For more information on the festival, keep logging on to CityLife.co.uk, or visit alefestival.org.uk/winterales/