The 6th Isle of Man CAMRA beer and cider festival has been hailed as the most successful ever by both the organisers and visitors alike.
Over 3,000 people attended the event which was staged in the Villa Marina. More than 10% of those who attended had travelled from outside the Island, either to work at the festival or to sample some of the 200+ real ales, ciders, perries and fruit wines.
The festival was officially opened by the Lt. Governor of the Isle of Man, Sir Richard Gozney, who arrived at the Villa Marina in style aboard the historic Okell’s double decker horse tram. He brought with him a cask of newly-brewed Okell’s Triskellion ale.
After the opening ceremony he drew the first pint of “Pullyman’s All Day Pale Ale” and presented it to Pullyman himself – Michael Cowin.
The ale was specially brewed for the festival’s good cause, the Alzheimer’s Society, by the Hooded Ram Brewing Company, 20p from each pint sold being donated to the society.
A varied programme of music was staged on Friday and Saturday nights featuring Mae Challis, Gaz & Chon, Ian Thompson, Truman Falls, Loose Crew and the Chris Winchester Band. The Betty Pie Company provided food throughout the festival, with the majority of ingredients being Manx sourced. On Saturday evening a couple from Worcester, Adam Morse and Charlotte Gorham, were engaged – another first for the festival!
The organisers would like to extend their thanks to the Department of Economic Development, main sponsors Okell’s, Greylaw Freight, the management and staff of the Villa Marina, Bushy’s brewery, the Hooded Ram Brewing Company and the many CAMRA members from both the Island and across for making the event such a spectacular success.
