BEERWOLF - Wolverhampton Campaign for Real Ale

24
National Winter Ales Festival
- a personal view by Aleman
In January I again volunteered to work at
CAMRA’s National Winter Ales Festival
(NWAF) in Manchester. NWAF boasts over
300 British and foreign beers, Real Ales in
a Bottle, ciders and perries. It is the winter
version of CAMRA’s internationally famous
Great British Beer Festival held every August
in London, and is always popular and well
attended.
Crowds fl ock to the NWAF
I suppose the main difference is its much
smaller size; around 9,000 visitors over 4 days
compared with 65,000+ over the 5 days
at the much larger London event. Bars, food,
shops, games and live music are all on one
fl oor level and stronger darker winter beers are
in the ascendancy.
Usually over 100 volunteers work there. This
year I spent most of my 4 working days on the
tombola stand and Robinson’s brewery bar,
also providing cover on the main beer bars,
cider bar, shop and glasses stand when others
wanted a meal break - yes I’m a fl oater,
although I certainly wouldn’t want to admit to
that in warm weather! I’m pleased to say that
volunteer staff are allowed the occasional free
half pint every session they work, but don’t
over-indulge! On the Robinson’s brewery
bar this year we had the usual Chocolate Tom
and brain-scrambling but gorgeous Old Tom
at 8.5%. I was initially disappointed that my
favourite from last year “Ginger Tom” was
absent, but was pleased with its replacement,
a toffee fl avoured beer called “A long kiss
goodnight”! I was careful how I asked
customers if they wanted one of those!
The 1980’s fancy dress was
interesting
On Wednesday morning the judging for the
Champion Winter Ale competition was held
and during the afternoon trade session the
winners were announced, causing long queues
to taste the medal winners.