BEER lovers will be able to raise a glass for a good cause when the Tameside Beer Festival returns to Stalybridge.
Now in its 14th year, the popular event is back at Stalybridge’s Victoria Market Hall on Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19.
And with more than 30 beers, lagers, ciders and wines on offer, plus live music and entertainment across the two days, there should be plenty to get festival-goers in good spirits.
The event is organised by Tameside Rotary and will raise money primarily for four local dementia charities and services: St George’s Dementia Café Stalybridge, Forget-me-Not-Buddies Tameside, Music-in-Mind Stalybridge and Willow Wood Hospice’s dementia support service.
Doors will open from 12 noon until 11pm on both days, with last orders at 10.30pm.
Entry costs £5 on the door, while drinks tokens will be available to buy for those wanting to sample the festival’s alcoholic offerings. Hot food and snacks will also be available.
The entertainment programme gets under way on Friday with Tameside Community Voices, followed by comedy, songs, dance and magic from a Manchester-based Stan & Ollie tribute act.
Vocalist Jack Doyle will also perform before Pattison Fogg brings the opening night to a close.
Saturday’s programme includes the return of St John’s Brass Band, Mossley, as well as soprano Elizabeth Phillips, who recently appeared at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The festival will then come to an end with the return of rock band Company of Strangers.
Tameside Rotarian Peter Holden, who is co-ordinating the event, said: “We’re delighted that this year’s charity Beer Festival is returning to Stalybridge and Rotarians, all volunteers, are working hard behind the scenes to make the event ‘pitcher’ perfect for visitors.
“We are very grateful to our sponsors, advertisers, supporters and volunteers without whom we would be unable to put on an event of this size. We hope that people will come along, sample the beers, lagers and ciders on offer, enjoy the entertainment and raise a glass to help make this year’s event a huge success.”
The festival has a strong track record when it comes to raising money for local causes.
Last year’s event attracted around 950 visitors across the two days and raised an estimated £9,000 for charity, with proceeds shared between Willow Wood Hospice and The Christie.
Festival-goers got through more than 2,200 draught beers, ciders, lagers and wines, while 83 performers from seven local and North West groups took to the stage.
This year’s festival will be held under the presidency of Ashton Hurst councillor Mike Hurst.