10:20pm Friday 27th August 2010
By James Kershaw
TWO pints of lager and a packet of crisps, please. That’s an order you probably won’t hear at the Cliffs Pavilion this weekend.
Instead, you’re more likely to catch the request two pale ales and a sausage sandwich, thanks, as the Westcliff theatre’s annual Beer and Cider Festival kicks off tomorrow.
Featuring 15 different beers and a further three varieties of cider, the three-day event which runs until bank holiday Monday, is sure to delight all types of drinkers from curious beer samplers to hardcore ale enthusiasts.
The beers on offer hail from a number of breweries all over the UK, from as close as London and Bury St Edmonds, to as far away as York and Fraserburgh, a town north of Aberdeen.
This year’s festival, the second of its kind, doesn’t feature any beers from Essex. Ale selector Matt Cole insists it’s all about the taste.
“Last year there was some Brewers Gold, brewed by Crouch Vale in South Woodham Ferrers,” says Matt, the Cliff’s assistant front of house manager.
“It’s nice to have the Essex ales, but ultimately it’s about the flavour of the beer and we wanted to see what else was out there.”
So how is the beer and cider available at the festival selected?
“We look for a variety of ales from different breweries,” explains Matt.
“We have got pale ales, golden ales and some slightly darker ones with lots of different flavours. We try to find something for everyone’s palate.
“I personally like golden ales, so would recommend Jekyll’s Gold and Sun Dance. Tasting is a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.”
The three ciders come from Westons cider makers and include the Country Perry, made from pears.
In total, 19 nine-gallon barrels of the drinks have been ordered. That’s the equivalent of more than 1,300 pints.
But if you’re not into either drinks, there’s plenty of other things on offer too.
For the first time, the festival has a Pimm’s tent, serving up the liqueur and lemonade by the glass or jug.
“Of course we encourage sensible drinking,” adds Matt.
“We want people to have a good time, but we won’t serve anyone who appears to be drunk or drinking too much.”
For those who don’t indulge in alcohol at all, there’s plenty of other attractions on offer.
A barbecue will be available throughout the weekend and on Monday there will be live folk and acoustic music.
Local acts Mark Mason, Flam Jam, Paul Liddel, Tom Burgess and Jamie Pearce will be entertaining the crowds on the terrace.
Last year’s festival, which ran for just two days over the August bank holiday, attracted about 500 people.
Greg Taylor, catering general manager at the Westcliff venue, hopes this year will be even bigger.
He says: “It was nice to see a range of different people from young people discovering ales, to the real connoisseurs.
“We would love to see 800 people over the course of the weekend. I think we have the right setting for it, with stunning views over the estuary.”
The Beer and Cider Festival runs from 11am to 11pm, on all three days. Entry is free and pints are £2.50 each.
For more information, call 01702 351135.
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