Three-day beer festival to be held in Bedale

Drinkers across North Yorkshire are whetting their lips with the news that Bedale is to host a three-day beer festival.

Bedale Community Beer Festival is going to be held in Bedale Hall between Friday, October 4 and Sunday, October 6.

The festival is in aid of the market town’s biggest outdoor event – the Bedale Community Bonfire in November, which regularly attracts up to 4000 revellers.

It will feature more than 35 ales, craft beer, cider and prosecco bars, with an alcohol-free offering included as well as food. There will be live music across the weekend.

The three-day beer bonanza is being organised by Big Bird Events, who already bring the popular Bedale Banquet to the town.

Festival organiser, Lou Walker, of Big Bird Events, said: “This is going to be a showcase for our great local beers and ciders, plus those from further afield. And I can’t wait to welcome everyone to Bedale.

“In the past I have co-organised the Wensley Ale Festival for Wensleydale Railway and the Northallerton Beer Festival. – this festival is going to be the start of something special for the town.”

Day tickets, priced £7, includes a commemorative glass and festival programme. Weekend tickets are also available for £10.

Advance tickets are available from The Food Weighouse in Bedale and also online via Eventbrite. Only advance ticket holders are guaranteed a commemorative glass.

Pam Knighton, of Big Bird Events, said: “This will be a great community event, supporting the annual Bonfire and Fireworks display. We hope that as many people from Bedale and North Yorkshire will come and support this new fund-raising event.

“We are indebted to our local sponsors who have joined us in supporting but if anyone else wants to get on board then get in touch.”

One of the festival sponsors, Andrew Storey, of Lynx Fuels, said: “We are happy to support this fantastic community event and wish it every success.”

Another sponsor, Vicky Howse of Oak Tree Bookkeeping, said: “We are thrilled to be involved and want to help in any way we can.”

There are a variety of ways sponsors can get involved from sponsoring a barrel of beer to taking ads in the Festival programme.

The Festival Cider Bar will be run by Tim Barker of Masham Cider Press, who said: ”Not only will there be a great range of beers but our range of ciders.”