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This year is the beer festival's 21st birthday.

To celebrate this milestone the beerlist is based around some of the classic beers that have graced the hall for the last 21 years.

This year Mrs Otto Recommends ...

Real Ales: Allgates Yankee IPA, Brewdog Punk IPA, Cottage Normans Conquest, Darkstar Hophead, Phoenix West Coast IPA, Phoenix Porter, Potbelly Aisling, Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild and Thornbridge St. Petersburg Imperial Russian Stout
Draught Beers: Phoenix Passion Fruit, Paulaner Hefe Weissbier, Duvel and La Chouffe
Bottled Beers: Goose Island Matilda, Schneider Eisbock, Baadog and Coopers Sparkling Ale

Real Ales
BreweryBeerABV (%)Tasting Notes
AllgatesWigan, LancashireCalifornia3.8Well balanced straw coloured beer named after Hindley Pit
AllgatesWigan, LancashireMad Monk7.1Dark, rich powerful stout
AllgatesWigan, LancashirePorteresque4.4Dark, rich classic porter with roasted malt flavours
AllgatesWigan, LancashireTwitter and Blisted3.9A straw coloured medium hoppy ale
AllgatesWigan, LancashireUnhinged7.5A vintage strong ale, not for beer wimps; strong in flavour and dark
AllgatesWigan, LancashireYankee Pale Ale5Pale and very hoppy American style IPA

Mrs Otto says A cheeky little number, smooth on the palette, a little deceitful on the hop front, with that fruity, bitterness exploding on your taste buds in an excellent finish.
Art BrewBridport, Dorseti Beer4A vanilla golden ale that balances out strong sweet vanilla flavours and punchy hops
AscotCamberley, SurreyAlligator Ale4.6Biscuit aroma and American grapefruit hops
AvonBristol, GloucestershireGurt Lush4.5A beer that tastes rather fine
Bank TopBolton, Greater ManchesterFlat Cap4Signature pale bitter with citrus aroma and finish
Bank TopBolton, Greater ManchesterPort O Call5Roast barley with port overtones - not mild!
BathamsBrierley Hill, West MidlandsBest Bitter4.3Probably the best example of the traditional Black Country style of bitter
BoggartManchesterGolden Bitter4A light coloured session ale with a pronounced hoppiness and aroma
BoggartManchesterWaterloo Sunset5Traditional porter with oak roast finish
BrewdogFraserburgh, Aberdeenshire5AM Saint5Amber ruby beer, hoppy but not bitter
BrewdogFraserburgh, AberdeenshireEquity For Punks3.7Not for the cautious but great for the more adventurous drinkers amongst us
BrewdogFraserburgh, AberdeenshirePunk IPA6A post modern classic pale ale with a big hoppy punch

Mrs Otto says I must admit that I was very loath to recommend this, not because its in any way bad, but for merely selfish reasons, dont want you greedy lot supping it all before I get to it. No need to say, but I will anyway, it is probably my all time favorite. Strong, bittersweet and very hoppy. A true India Pale Ale in every sense of the word.
CairngormAviemore, Inverness-shireNessies Monster Mash4.4Light malt flavour with plenty of bitterness
CairngormAviemore, Inverness-shireTrade Winds4.3Intensely fruity beer with strong hop and grapefruit taste
Coach HouseWarrington, CheshireBanoffee Beer4.2New fruit beer
Coach HouseWarrington, CheshireBlueberry Classic Bitter5Very pleasant fruit beer; one of the most popular last year
Coach HouseWarrington, CheshireBlunderbus Old Porter5.5Award winning porter
ConistonConiston, CumbriaBluebird Bitter3.6Yellow/gold beer; hoppy, fruity and slightly sweet
ConistonConiston, CumbriaNo 9 Barley Wine8.5True barley wine
CottageCastle Cary, SomersetNormans Conquest5Strong and dark with plenty of fruit

Mrs Otto says Now to the dark side, though not the darkest, more a deep red brown. A beer packed with chocolate, fruit and nuts, yes you guessed it, I'm a fruit and nut case!
CrondallCrondall near Farnham, HampshireSober As A Judge4Well balanced quaffing ale
Dark StarHaywards Heath, West SussexHophead3.8Wonderfully hoppy golden coloured bitter

Mrs Otto says Something a little more light hearted and quaffable. Citrus fruits dominate with some hop notes but not overpowering. If you want to start off easily and work your way up on the light side this is a must one to get you going.
Dark StarHaywards Heath, West SussexSussex Extra Stout4.5The black and roasted barley malts are fermented to dryness to provide perfectly balanced full malt flavours; Golding varieties of Kentish hops are used early and late in the boil to add a fresh clean bitterness
Davenports (Highgate)Walsall, West MidlandsIceage3.4Seasonal beer brewed by Highgate
DentSedbergh, CumbriaT'Owd Tup6Rich, strong stout with coffee flavours
DriftwoodSt Agnes, CornwallAlphie's Revenge6.5Originally an Xmas brew but now more widely available
DriftwoodSt Agnes, CornwallBawden Rocks3.8Pale session bitter
DurhamBowburn, DurhamMagus3.8Straw coloured beer with fruity hop character
ExmoorTaunton, SomersetExmoor Gold4.5BBBB favourite; yellow bitter with a clean hoppy aftertaste
Green JackLowestoft, SuffolkRipper8.5Award winning strong ale
HammerpotArundel, West SussexWhite Wing4Slightly bitter with lovely fruity hop aftertaste named after one of the famous "little ships" of Dunkirk
HarviestounAlva, ClackmannanshireBitter and Twisted4.2Superb lemon-bitter brew; Champion beer of Wigan
HarviestounAlva, ClackmannanshireSchiehallion4.8Superb cask lager with floral hoppiness
HawksheadKendal, CumbriaLakeland Gold4.4Fresh, fruity and hoppy
Heart of WalesLlanwrtyd Wells, PowysBitter4.1A light chestnut bitter; eminently moreish it has the ability to satisfy your thirst whilst leaving you wanting more!
Hesket NewmarketHesket Newmarket, CumbriaOld Carrock Stong Ale5.6Dark red and powerful ale with fruit flavours
HobsonsCleobury Mortimer, ShropshireOld Henry5.2Winter ale
Hogs BackFarnham, SurreyA Over T (Aromas Over Tongham)9Tawny coloured barley wine packed with flavour
HoltsManchesterBitter4Bitter distinctive copper coloured ale
HoltsManchesterMild3.2Fruity, malty, dark beer with dry, hoppy finish
HoltsManchesterNuts and Holts4.1Nutty amber beer with Willamette hops
Hook NortonBanbury, OxfordshireDouble Stout4.8Rich, dark and highly drinkable
Hop BackSalisbury, WiltshireSummer Lightning5Dangerously drinkable beer with hoppy aroma and intense bitterness
HydesSalford, Greater ManchesterHeads n Tales4.6Highly quaffable flavoursome beer with silky finish
J.W. LeesMiddleton, ManchesterCoronation Street4.2Full bodied ale with a rich auburn glow
J.W. LeesMiddleton, ManchesterMoonraker (Cask)6.5Famous rich, sweet and dark red ale with fruity dry finish
Kelham IslandSheffield, South YorkshirePale Rider5.2Full bodied golden ale with fruit aroma
LeedsLeeds, West YorkshirePale3.8Classic Yorkshire pale ale
LeedsLeeds, West YorkshirePale3.8Classic Yorkshire pale ale
LymestoneStone, StaffordshireStone Cutter3.7Pale brew full of floral/citrus flavours
MoorhousesBurnley, LancashireBlack Cat3.4Multi award winning dark mild
MoorhousesBurnley, LancashireBlonde Witch4.5Pale with hoppy citrus flavour
MoorhousesBurnley, LancashirePendle Witches Brew5.1Distinctive strong bitter with honey sweet taste but dry bitter finish
NorthernNorthwich, CheshireDeep Dark Secret5.2Liquorice porter
NorthernNorthwich, CheshireVale Royal Heritage Ale4.8Ruby winter warmer
OakhamPeterborough, CambridgeshireInferno4Sharp, hoppy, with a hint of spice
OakhamPeterborough, CambridgeshireJHB3.8Straw coloured with spicy hop and citrus flavour
Old MillGoole, East YorkshireBlack Jack5Well balanced and full of malt, with just a hint of caramel, which leads to a long lasting roasted taste; a full bodied, drinkable old ale
OrkneyStromness, OrkneySkull Splitter8.5Satiny, smooth; deceptively light but dangerously drinkable
OssettOssett, West YorkshireTreacle Stout5A rich stout with powerful liquorice and chocolate malt flavour
PeerlessBirkenhead, MerseysideHilbre Gold4.5A hoppy golden ale named after the small island at the mouth of the Dee estuary
PenzancePenzance, CornwallCrowlas3.8Copper coloured session bitter
PenzancePenzance, CornwallPotion No. 94Smooth golden bitter with a hoppy finish
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterArizona4.1Pale and hoppy yet dry as the desert
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterPorter5Dark, smooth, winter brew

Mrs Otto says An excellent introduction into the world that is the dark side. A dark chocolate classic Porter. Bitter cocoa flavour with a hint of roasted coffee beans on the nose. A smooth, mellow drink, goes great with a bar of strong dark chocolate or a chocolate brownie and ice cream. Yummie!!!!!
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterSnowbound4.3Pale and hoppy with citrus flavours
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterWest Coast IPA4.6Golden with fruit/hop taste and good bitterness throughout

Mrs Otto says Yes, I think you've got my drift by now, Im a bit of a hop head, but I dont intend to make any apologies for recommending yet another excellent Indian Pale Ale. Not the strongest IPA, but very drinkable, hops dominate, surprise, surprise. Lemon and lime fruits dominate the nose and bitter on the palette but with a touch of yeast and malts in the finish.
PhoenixHeywood, Greater ManchesterWhite Monk4.5Yellow beer with plenty of fruit and a hoppy, bitter finish
PilgrimReigate, SurreySurrey Bitter3.7An easy drinking but full bodied bitter; amber in colour and hopped with worcester Goldings and Bohemian Styrians
PotbellyKettering, NorthamptonshireAisling4A smooth pale bitter with an excellent balance of hops and malt

Mrs Otto says Another well balanced bitter. A little on the pale side for a bitter. Hops and Malts vie for dominance, but neither are overpowering which results in a quaffable pleasant beer.
ProspectWigan, Greater ManchesterGiants Hall4.1Pale brew named after local colliery
ProspectWigan, Greater ManchesterNutty Slack3.9Recently voted best mild at SIBA North-West
ProspectWigan, Greater ManchesterPropped Up6Dark russett coloured ale that packs a punch
RCHWest Hewish, SomersetFirebox6Complex and full bodied mild brown beer balaved with citrus hops
RobinsonsStockport, CheshireOld Tom8.5Dark, complex beer, texture reminiscent of port
RoostersHarrogate, North YorkshireYankee4.3Slightly sweet straw coloured beer with fruit bitter finish
RoselandPhilleigh, CornwallCornish Shag4Bitter from brewery founded May 09
Sarah HughesDudley, West MidlandsDark Ruby Mild6Vastly popular strong mild; rich and warming

Mrs Otto says What a classic, unbelievably it is a Mild. Strong for the style, which makes it full bodied, yet it has a sweet taste which is not over powering, full of milk chocolate malty flavours and very very pleasant to drink.
SkinnersTruro, CornwallGinger Tosser3.8Designed for red-headed pancake tossers; this is a lovely hoppy golden ale, fused with Cornish honey, giving this session beer a superb round finish with a hint of ginger
TetleysLeeds, West YorkshireCask Bitter3.7Classic northern session bitter
ThornbridgeBakewell, DerbyshireJaipur5.9Soft smooth taste leads to massive hoppiness and long bitter finish
ThornbridgeBakewell, DerbyshireSaint Petersburg7.7Deep and dark delicious stout

Mrs Otto says Back to the dark side with this classic Stout. Powerful flavours and smells a great one to savour and definitely not to be rushed. Roasted coffee, chocolate and dried fruits - raisins and sultanas.
Timothy TaylorKeighley, West YorkshireLandlord4.3Dry, hoppy beer; 3 times Champion Beer of Britain
TintagelTintagel, CornwallCastle Special4.8A light and hoppy session beer from a new Cornish brewery
TitanicStoke on Trent, StaffordshireIceberg4.1Refreshing straw coloured beer with citrus aromas
WhiteBexhill, East SussexChilly Willy5.1Winter brew
WickwarWickwar, GloucestershireStation Porter6.1Supreme winter beer 2008; Smooth dark ruby with aromas of coffee
WylamHeddon-on-the-Wall, NorthumberlandGold Tankard4Fresh clean flavour that is full of hops

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Ciders
BrewABV (%)FromType
Border Orchards6Cider - Dry
Brook Farm Rum Cask6.8HerefordshireCider - Medium
Green Valley Katy6DevonCider - Dry
Green Valley Rum Tiddly Tum7.5DevonCider - Sweet
Haye Farm Medium Cider7CornwallCider - Medium
Hecks Blackberry Flavour6.5SomersetCider - Medium
Hogans Medium Cider6WarwickshireCider - Medium
Malvern Magic6HerefordshireCider - Medium
Newtons Whisky Cask7.3HerefordshireCider - Medium
Original BristolianSomersetCider - Medium
Original Cider Bootleg Moonshine7.5SomersetCider
Original Kingston Black7.5SomersetCider - Sweet
Rathays Scrumptious6HerefordshireCider - Dry
Ross On Wye Whisky Cask6.5HerefordshireCider - Dry
Sarahs Browns Apple Single Variety Cider6HerefordshireCider
Tardebigge Dry Cider6WorcestershireCider
Whin Hill Medium Still Cider7.2NorfolkCider

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Perrys
BrewABV (%)FromType
Hecks Somerset Perry6.5SomersetPerry
Newton Court Medium Dry Perry7.2HerefordshirePerry
Newtons Knap7HerefordshirePerry
Original (?)7.5SomersetPerry

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Draught Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
Anchor Liberty AleAmerican Pale Ale5.9USA
Budweiser Budvar (Czechvar) 12°Bohemian Pilsener5Czech Republic
Cruzcampo Premium LagerPale Lager - North Am. / Light5Spain
DAB OriginalDortmunder / Helles5Germany
De KoninckBelgian Ale - Pale / Golden / Single5Belgium
Delirium TremensBelgian Strong Ale8.5Belgium
Duvel Green (Draught - 6.8%)Belgian Ale6.8Belgium
Florisgaarden FramboiseFruit Beer3.7Belgium
Krombacher PilsClassic German Pilsener4.8Germany
Kuppers KolshPale Beer4.8Germany
La ChouffeBelgian Strong Ale8Belgium
Leffe BlondeAbbey Ale6.6Belgium
Liefmans Cuvée Brut (Kriekbier)Sour Flemish Ale - Flanders Red / Oud Bruin6Belgium
Liefmans FruitesseFlavored - Fruit3.8Belgium
Meantime HellesDortmunder / Helles4.4England
Paulaner Hefe-WeissbierWeissbier - Hefeweizen5.5Germany
Phoenix Passion FruitFruit Beer4.2England
Van Diest Fruli Strawberry BeerFlavored - Fruit4.1Belgium

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Bottled Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
Beer LaoPale Lager5Laos
Birra MorettiPale Lager4.6Italy
Bohemia ClásicaPale Lager5.3Mexico
Bush de Noël (Scaldis Noel)Belgian Strong Ale12Belgium
Coopers Sparkling AleBlonde Ale / Golden Ale5.8Australia
Flying Dog Doggie Style Classic Pale AleAmerican Pale Ale5.5USA
Goose Island MatildaBelgian Ale7USA
KeoPremium Lager4.5Cyprus
Lindemans FaroLambic - Faro4.75Belgium
Mahou Cinco EstrellasPale Lager5.5Spain
MythosPremium Lager5Greece
Quilmes CervezaPale Lager4.9Argentina
Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus BierDoppelbock14Austria
Schneider EisbockEisbock7.9Germany
Steinlager ClassicPale Lager5New Zealand
TuskerPale Lager4.2Kenya
Tyskie GroniePremium Lager5.6Poland
Ulan Bator BaadogVienna4.8Mongolia
Vedett Extra BlondPale Lager5Belgium
ViruPilsener / Lager5Estonia
WindhoekPale Lager4Namibia

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Fruit Beers
BeerTypeABV (%)Country
Florisgaarden Chocolat GardenbeerBelgian White (Witbier)4.2Belgium
Florisgaarden NinkeberryFruit Beer3.6Belgium
Florisgaarden PassionFruit Beer3.6Belgium
Florisgaarden Pomme / AppleFlavoured - Fruit3.6Belgium
Liefmans Cuvée Brut (Kriekbier)Sour Flemish Ale - Flanders Red / Oud Bruin6Belgium
Lindemans Cassis LambicLambic - Fruit4Belgium
Mongozo BananaFlavoured - Fruit3.6Belgium
Mongozo MangoFlavoured - Fruit3.6Belgium
Timmermans Peche LambicLambic Style - Fruit4Belgium

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We cannot guarantee that all beers will be available at all sessions. Once they're gone, they're gone.

 

Please send all comments or suggestions to