LOCAL breweries are among those who’ll be appearing at the Fleet Lions Ale Festival.
The charitable event, on Saturday, August 9, takes place in the Harlington Centre in Fleet. 2014’s festival has been named the "Pieces of 8 Beer Fest" as this is the eighth consecutive year the Fleet Lions have organised it.
A general pirates theme will apply on the day and prizes will be on offer for the best outfits.
There will be 38 different real ales available this year from 15 different breweries including ales from some of the very best local micro breweries in the area including Basingstoke’s Longdog Brewery, Hook’s Andwell Brewing Company and Sherfield Village Brewery.
Also available will be Binghams, Siren Craft, Ascot, Wild Weather, Windsor & Eton and Mash, plus Dark Star, Loddon, Dorking, Hammerpot and Langhams.
The strongest ales available are Nelson's Blood (6% abv), brewed by the Nelson brewery from Chatham (Kent), and Sound Wave (5.5% abv), brewed by the Siren Craft brewery from Finchampstead (Berks). Locally produced ciders will also be available.
All six of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party's range of Co-ALE-ition ales, all brewed by award winning local micro breweries, will be on sale together for the first ever time.
These will include Longdog's Winning Co-ALE-ition ale which was sold in the Strangers Bar at the Houses of Parliament last month. Monster Mash real ale in a bottle will also be available to take away as a souvenir for just £2 per bottle.
Alan Hope (Leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party) will be officially opening both the afternoon and evening sessions and will be bringing his own brand of fun and laughter to the event.
Alan Hope (centre) with Phil Robins (L) from Basingstoke's Longdog and Dr Graham Turner (R) from Mash Brewery
There are two sessions at the Fleet Lions Ale Festival: the afternoon session is from 11am until 3pm and the evening session is from 5.50pm until 9.30pm.
Entertainment will be provided by the Stomping Nomads in the afternoon, playing an eclectic mix of blues, country, skiffle and bluegrass music, and Fleet Booze Hound Blues Band providing the entertainment in the evening.
The Fleet Lions Ale Festival will this year be raising money for the charity Sailability, a partnership between Frensham Pond Sailing Club and Farnham & District Sports Association for the Disabled.
This money will provide opportunities for people of all ages with disabilities and illnesses to experience and enjoy sailing in a very supportive and safe environment.
Tickets are £7 in advance from the Fleet Lions website or £8 on the door subject to availability. These prices include a very special commemorative glass produced by local Fleet designer Andy Johnson.
The event’s official sponsor is Hammerpot brewery from Sussex.
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