ALE FANS and drinkers Tameside can indulge in their passion once again as Tameside Beer Festival is back on the calendar.
Organised by Tameside Rotary Club, the event was postponed earlier this year because of the death of Queen Elizabeth II after not being staged at all in 2020 and 2021.
But the casks are being tapped and drinks flowing as Stalybridge’s Civic Hall is hosting the long-awaited 10th edition of the event today (Friday, November 18) and tomorrow (Saturday, November 19).
John Moon, Tameside Rotary’s community chair, said: “It really does feel good to be back.
“We spent three years waiting and you almost forget what it was like.
“But being here now and seeing what’s going on is amazing. The number of people we have in this afternoon (Friday) is more than we expected.
“People were looking forward to it. We’re here just to help the event and boost Tameside and Stalybridge.”
Beers at the festival, which is open from noon until 11pm on both days, come from all over the country – all 42 barrels of them.
It is not just beer, though, there are ciders and wine as well.
And Tameside Rotary president, Mohammed Karim, said money raised helps those close to where drinks are being enjoyed.
He said: “Finally we’re doing it!
“We’re raising for the national Cancer Research charity but we’re also working with a local group that helps children in the Hurst area of Ashton.
“We’ll also help other groups in Tameside too.”
John added: “Even with Cancer Research, we ask that all our funds are used within Tameside, rather than just going into a pot.”
Even though 2022’s Beer Festival has just got underway, plans are already well advanced for 2023.
Both Mohammed and John told The Correspondent: “The hall is already booked.”