The Alzheimer’s Society in the Isle of Man has been chosen as this year’s CAMRA Isle of Man Beer & Cider Festival good cause. The Society’s spokesman is Michael Cowin, better known by his pen-name of “Pullyman”. Pullyman has gained a big following on the island due to his regular Wednesday morning poetry readings on Manx Radio’s Chris Williams show and last year’s charity revue – “Pullyman & Friends” at the Gaiety Theatre which was a sell-out. No doubt he will be composing a special poem for the occasion! As usual, a special Festival beer will be brewed to support the cause.
This year it is the turn of the Hooded Ram brewery to supply the Festival ale. Hooded Ram owner, Rob Storey, has described the brew as a “deliciously refreshing, pale session beer” with the trial batch selling out within hours at Hooded Ram’s outlet, Clinch’s on North Quay. A donation of 10p/pint sold will benefit the Society. It has yet to be named.
The festival which runs from Thursday, 6th April to Saturday, 8th April will again be held in the magnificent setting of the Villa Marina’s Royal Hall with a selection of 150 real ales and over 40 ciders, perries and fruit wines. There will be entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights and food available throughout the festival. The Grand National will also be shown on the large screen on Saturday afternoon. It will be officially opened by the island’s Lt. Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, who will arrive aboard the historic O’Kell’s double-decker horse tram from Derby Castle. Tickets for the festival have been pegged at last year’s price of ?5 and are now available at the Villa-Gaiety box offices, the Welcome centre at the sea terminal and on-line.
Request for volunteers
Due to the ongoing huge success of the CAMRA Isle of Man Beer and Cider Festival, the organisers of the event in 2017 are seeking new members to help with the festival. All CAMRA members working at the festival are volunteers who give their time freely. As the event has grown, so more people are needed to maintain the high standards that have been set over the years. From the initial setting up on Monday, 3rd April to the taking down on Sunday, 9th April, the organisers would love to hear from people willing to lend a hand. Tasks vary from building the stillages, stacking the casks, installing the cooling system, dispensing the beers and ciders, front of house duties to the final dismantling and clearing of the Royal Hall on the Sunday. Help is needed for all sessions and in all areas but volunteers are not expected to attend every session – only when they wish to, it is entirely up to them.
Ideally, volunteers should be CAMRA members. The cost of annual membership is a mere ?24 and benefits include ?20 Wetherspoon’s beer vouchers, a monthly newspaper, quarterly “Beer” magazine plus discounted entry to beer festivals around the British Isles. Anyone wishing to join should e-mail Darren Shaw darrenjshaw@manx.net or Julie Jones joolieiom@gmail.com.
