THESE are heady days for beer and cider aficionados (or quaffers). Fairfield Social Club has just hosted a Cider Fête celebrating the remarkable range of the fermented apple and pear scene and tickets go on sale on Tuesday, June 4, for this year’s IndyManBeerCon, still the UK’s best indie craft beer celebration (Victoria Baths, October 3-6). Get yours via the website from 8pm on that day.
Meanwhile, enjoy the best of both worlds at the upcoming Bolton Beer and Cider Week. Check out the amazing array of events on offer. It’s a showcase for the often undervalued strength of the town’s drinking culture.
Bars involved include Nook and Cranny, Bunbury’s, Northern Monkey Bar, The Beer School and One For the Road. Foodwise, a hero of Bolton Market, Nkono, will be providing spicy ballast (above) at the Northern Monkey Brew Co launch of festival special Bolton RIPA.Cameroon and Bolton in perfect harmony
There are masterclasses, new beer launches, a comedy evening fund-raiser and much more but we’d particularly recommend the event of the week, the annual Rivington Beer walk on Saturday, June 15.
It assembles at 1.30pm at the forecourt of The Brewery Bar, Horwich. The relatively easy two mile walk along the reservoir shore stops off at the quirky Rivvy Bowling Club with its large bowling green and fabulous lake views. The final stop is Rivington Brew Co’s Tap, Beneath The Trees, serving acclaimed beers, additional surprises and Mama Sue’s Deep South Soul Food. Rivington’s Ben Stubbs (main image) is one of the North West’s best brewers.