Beer festival goes down a real treat (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Beer festival goes down a real treat

3:30pm Monday 21st September 2009

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LASHINGS of real ale and live music provided merriment for hundreds of drinkers at the 17th Hatch Warren Beer Festival.

Nearly 500 people came to sample some of the 27 real ales on offer, such as the fantastically-named Bonkers Conkers and Crop Slasher.

The festival was held at the Hatch Warren Community Centre, in Longcross Lane, over two days.

This year, organisers made sure local breweries got their place, with tipples from the Andwell Brewing Company, near North Warnborough, and the Triple fff Brewing Company from Four Marks.

Four ciders were also available for those willing to risk tight heads.

Basingstoke acts Gary Myles and The Bicycle Thieves kept the revellers rocking on both nights of September 11 and 12 until the closing time of 11pm.

Among the drinkers was Durham University undergraduate Nic Andrews, of Danebury Road, Hatch Warren.

Studying his beverage, the 19-year-old, said: “It’s pretty great, and it’s as good as other beer festivals at university. I think the music is pretty good too – anything with classic rock has got to be worth it.”

Proceeds from the festival will go towards the running costs of groups which use the Hatch Warren Community Centre.

Mark Every, chairman of the Hatch Warren Community Association, said: “It has been really successful – we have had a fantastic turnout.

“It’s a great community event. I hope we will be able to raise in excess of £2,000 for the charity.”

He also thanked the team of volunteers who manned the doors and the casks for their help in running the event.

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