By Brewery Bird
For anyone craving a few beers there is of course that British past-time known as ‘going to the pub’. But sometimes, ‘the usual’ just isn’t enough, which is why beer festivals were invented! Happily, you could stick a pin in a calendar most months and find one, be it in a pub, or a larger organised event such as the CAMRA run festivals, staffed entirely by volunteers. October sees two festivals located within Ocelotshire - Swindon and Oxford. Beards are optional and comfy shoes recommended.
19th Oxford CAMRA Beer Festival - Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 October
Over 140 beers to try. Ciders/perries are also offered and glasses are marked for half pints and thirds. Food is available as well as limited seating in the Old Library.
Where: Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford.
Open: Thurs 5pm-11pm / Fri 11am-11pm / Sat 11am-9pm. Tickets: £10 or £8 to CAMRA members. Includes a commemorative glass and £6 worth of beer tokens. Pay on the door, no advance sales. www.oxfordcamra.org.uk
30th Swindon CAMRA Beer Festival - Thursday 27 – Saturday 29 October
100+ beers plus ciders and perries available and this year’s theme is Great Western, so expect a few train-related entries. Hot food is available.
Where: Steam Museum (Great Hall), Swindon.
Open: Thurs 6pm-11pm / Fri 11am-3.30pm and 6pm-11pm / Sat 11am-7pm
Tickets: Thurs £5 / Fri 11am-15.30 session £5 on the door and 6pm-11pm session £10 in advance (inc £4 worth of beer tokens) / Saturday 11am-7pm £4 on the door
www.swindoncamra.org.uk
If you fancy venturing a bit further afield…
And even nearer to home, the J D Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival is on 12 – 23 October