Cheers all round (From Dorset Echo)

Cheers all round

12:00pm Tuesday 10th February 2009 in

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BEER lovers hailed the 21st Dorchester Beerex festival as a ‘real credit to the town’ and more successful than ever.

More than 1,000 beer enthusiasts and festival goers crammed into the Corn Exchange for the biggest ever Dorchester beer festival.

The sold out event saw customers young and old escape the snowy conditions to sample a wide selection of ales and ciders from the 80 barrels on display.

The festival, organised by Dorchester Round Table and West Dorset CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), is estimated to have raised more than £5,000 for charity.

Richard Bates from CAMRA said: “Every session has been different and people have travelled from all over the South of England to go to Beerex “The Saturday night band Jigsaw were fantastic – they completely epitomise how the atmosphere should be for a great beer festival.

“People came here to let their hair down and that is exactly what they got – the festival gets better and better every year.”

Dorchester Round Table picked the Dorchester Stroke Club as the main beneficiaries of the festival.

Paul Buley, chairman of Dorchester Round Table, said: “Despite the weather the festival was sold out for three sessions.

“There was more beer this year and we were really well supported and it goes to show the festival is as popular as ever in its 21st year.”

More than 60 barrels were individually sponsored by local businesses as well as overall sponsorship from the Dorset Brewing Company.

One of the sponsors, Nicky Smith, owner of Nicky’s hairdressers in Maud Road, said: “Every year it is fantastic and I think the festival is a real credit to the town.”

Chris May, 32, of Queen Street, Weymouth, said: “This is my first year here and I normally go to the Weymouth one but this is much livelier and on top of that there is a huge selection of beers and there’s a great atmosphere.”

The award for Beer of the Festival went to Dorset brewers Palmers for their old ale Tally Ho. In second place was an ale from the Dark Star brewery called 6 Hop Ale and in third place was the Dorset brewers Art with ibeer.

The festival also featured the announcement of West Dorset CAMRA’s Pub of the Year, which was awarded to The Blue Raddle in Dorchester.

For landlord Rick Townsend and his wife Chris this is the second year that they have won the award in their four years at the pub.

Mr Townsend said: “We are extremely pleased to win such a very coveted prize – especially to win out of the 262 pubs.”

CAMRA chairman David Harris said the pub won because of its diverse range of beer that is frequently changed all year round.

“There’s always a welcome when you go into the pub – it is always warm and cheerful and the staff are prepared to listen to the customers.”

The pub will now got through to the national CAMRA pub of the year finals.