BEER lovers in Tameside are in for a treat this October as two local pubs prepare to tap into an international selection of cask ales.
The Ash Tree in Ashton-under-Lyne and The Society Rooms in Stalybridge will host a 12-day beer festival.
Up to 30 ales will be available from Wednesday, October 7, until Sunday, October 18.
And there’s plenty to raise a glass to, with brewers from as far afield as China, Singapore, Ukraine, the USA and Denmark featuring in the line-up.
It will be the first time the two pubs have served cask ales from Singapore and Ukraine, while most of the beers have been brewed exclusively for the festival.
The international selection includes Urbrew Oolong ESB from China, Mikkeller English Dream Pilsner from Denmark, Lion Mango IPA from Singapore, Varvar Session Golden Ale from Ukraine and UPP Liquids Pinball Wizard from the USA.
There are also some more familiar names among the cask line-up, including Cairngorm Autumn Nuts, Otter Reggae, Loch Lomond Flying South, Oakham Dressed to Impress and Exmoor Red.
The festival also promises a few unusual flavours, with beers featuring ingredients including coconut, coriander, mango and tea. Five of the beers are vegan and suitable for vegetarians.
The Society Rooms manager Liza Braddock said: “The festival is a great celebration of cask ale.
“It will allow us to showcase a selection of superb beers, featuring many not previously available to our customers in the pub, including those from brewers as far afield as China and Ukraine, as well as those closer to home, over a 12 day period. All of the beers will be available at great value-for-money prices.”
For those who don’t fancy committing to a full pint, three third-of-a-pint tasters will also be available for the price of a pint.
Tasting notes will be available in the pubs through the festival magazine, with a digital version also available through the Wetherspoon app and website.
Recognition for good beer
The festival comes shortly after both pubs received recognition from the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), with the pair included in The Good Beer Guide 2027.
The recently-published guide is described as the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide.
CAMRA members from the local branch selected both Wetherspoon pubs following regular visits to assess the quality of their real ales. Customer service, décor and the overall atmosphere were also taken into account.
A CAMRA spokesman said: “The Society Rooms and the Ash Tree deserve their place in The Good Beer Guide 2027.
“It is our belief that if a licensee serves an excellent pint of real ale, then everything else in the pub, including customer service, quality of food and atmosphere, are likely to be of an equally high standard.”