Out and about

Cambridge Winter Ale Festival: University Social Club, Mill Lane, 24th to 26th January 2008

As some of you might have gleaned from the CRUFC rugby previews, I like my beer. So much so that I used to do the press, PR and programme for the summer Cambridge Beer Festival. Whilst time pressures preclude that level of commitment and involvement these days, I still keep my hand in, as it were, and to this end I will be visiting the 12th Winter Ale Festival at the University Social Club in Mill Lane. It opens on Thursday 24th January, and runs through to the end of the Saturday evening session.

Roll out the barrel.

The volunteers  running this Festival are distilled from my erstwhile colleagues at the summer one and it`s a quality event. This year sees some cracking new beers from the local award-winning Cambridge Moonshine Brewery, where Mark Watch has produced (and I kid you not!) a Chocolate Orange Stout! Mark`s beers are innovative and terrific and will be my first port of call...

As the name suggests, the emphasis is on "winter warmers" and seasonal ales - good, hearty brews which often have quite a high ABV. One of the perennial favourites at both Festivals is Sarah Hughes' Dark Ruby Mild - brilliant stuff - and there`ll be the usual smattering of Hobgoblins and Witches' Brews. Hope they have some Old Peculiar too! There`s a story there that might end up in a Yorkshire-themed "Preview" later in the season, but I digress...

Stewart Siddaway has ordered over 100 beers, which in itself is a guarantee of quality to go with the choices on offer. It`s not just the treacly brews - there`ll be plenty of "session" ales too. Oh, and plenty of good food.

As I said, the Festival is run entirely by volunteers - I know how hard they work and how dedicated they are and I know how much fun it is, too! If you`d like to assist, please contact the organisers via www.cambridge-camra.org.uk/2008/waf-form.html for a volunteer staffing form.

Food and discounted beer is provided to keep the workers' strength up! If you just wish to imbibe, the opening times are detailed below - it`s worth pointing out that if you are a CAMRA member or a member of CURAS, entry is free on production of a valid membership card. It`s also worth pointing out that the summer festival isn`t far off, and you can volunteer for that too!

Mines a Moonshine ...

Steve

Opening times are:

Thursday 24th January - 5pm-10.30pm - admission £2.50
Friday 25th January - Noon-3pm - admission FREE and 5pm-10.30pm - admission £2.50
Saturday 26th January - Noon-10.30pm - admission £2.50