It’s ale and party

REAL ale lovers raised a glass or two as they descended on Uppermill for the annual Saddleworth Beer Festival over the weekend.

More than 20 brews and ciders were available at Uppermill Civic Hall from Friday evening.

Favourites included Jaipur, from Thornbridge Brewery, Bakewell, citrus-flavoured Salopian Lemon Dream, from Shrewsbury, and tasty tipples from the Real Cider Company at Crag Vale. Live music from the Billy Coxon Seven and Curragh Sons, The Drift and DejaVu Classic Rock Band kept the atmosphere bubbling over the course of the event.

Organiser Peter Archer said: “In the six years I’ve been organising the event, this year’s Friday night was the best we’ve ever had.

“The room was packed and the bands said it was one of their best gigs.

“Some of the favourite ales sold out pretty quickly, including Jaipur, which always goes first.”

He added that the amount of money raised was still being calculated, but he hoped it would be a significant total for the charities Mind, the Royal British Legion and the Saddleworth Parish Council chairman’s charities.

Pam Bailey (54), who attended on both the Friday and Saturday, said: “We really enjoy real ale and this event is a lot of fun.

“It’s a great way to support charity and have an enjoyable time with friends and family.”

Her husband Paul (58), from Springhead, added: “The festival always has a great atmosphere and of course, a lot of different beers to try.”

The event also tested a new key-keg system on beers from Magic Rock and Hand Drawn Monkey to see the response from drinkers.

The system stores and serves beer from a disposable keg rather than a traditional cask.