EXCITEMENT is mounting as Knutsford Beer Festival prepares to welcome visitors.
This year’s three-day celebration opens today, Thursday, and offers the biggest ever selection of beers.
A new interactive app and a special edition glass are being launched to mark the event’s 10th anniversary.
The bar is now in place and the kegs have been set up as Egerton Place prepares to become a hub of friendship and laughter.
Chairman Andrew Malloy said: “The best part is seeing people turn up to drink beer and have fun.
“The fact that we can raise so much money for charity is absolutely brilliant.”
Two Knutsford charities, Hope Central foodbank and Stable Minds CIC have been chosen as this year’s recipients.
The event has raised more than £50,000 for charity since it was launched a decade ago.
The festival is run by volunteers.
Andrew said: “A big thanks to all the team who make it happen, it’s probably a lot more work than people realise.”
Visitors will have a record-breaking 48 beers and ciders to choose from as well as gin, wine and fizz from the Morgan Edwards pop-up bar.
All the beers and ciders have been sourced locally.
From session IPAs and fruit Goses to more traditional amber ales, the bar offers something for everyone.
Festival volunteer David Morgan is offering a double IPA he brewed himself in collaboration with Tay Brew Co, a nano brewery in Middlewich.
‘Shadow of your future self’ is a bold double IPA made with New Zealand and American hops.
The beer is being produced exclusively for the festival.
Tickets start from £10 per session and are available from knutsfordbeerfestival.org.uk
To help navigate the huge selection of beers, festival volunteer, Rachel Bishop, has developed an app.
This allows users to search the drinks by name, style and strength, as well offering the option to save beers as favourites.
Rachel said: “When I first visited the festival in 2014, it took me forever to look through the little booklet to find which beers I wanted to try.
“I’ve always had it in my mind that we should develop something interactive to help people search through the beers.
“We were very lucky to find Simon Clough, who offered to donate his time and skills to develop the app with me.
“He’s another beer fan and wanted to help.
“Last year, we piloted the App and now it’s fully developed, with some great little features like ‘favouriting’ your beers.
“I’m so chuffed we’ve got it all live and I hope everyone enjoys using it.”
Revellers at the Knutsford Beer Festival will raise a specially designed glass to mark the festival’s 10th Anniversary.
Local project management consultancy TUKEA and local podcast studio, PODCASTR have generously sponsored the glasses meaning a limited-edition colour logo will feature on the glasses.
As part of the ticket price, guests each receive one special edition glass along with a drinks token for a free drink.
Every session has live music with local bands such as Instant Vintage and Masie Farber taking to the stage.
Hot food being served outside in the marquee from Manchester food vendor, In the Dog Haus.
Friday and Saturday night sessions are close to being sold out but there is still some availability at the Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon sessions.
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