#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 8 - Black Jack : A Birthday Treat

To so many drinkers in Manchester, Black Jack are important.

For the beer? Naturally. They make excellent beers.

For the exceptional brewtaps? Absolutely. Spring, Summer or Autumn, whatever the temperature, they set the standard. Whilst many of my (Jim) friendships may have been formed elsewhere, many have also deepened and been cemented right there. In that yard, at the bottom of Irk Street.

That said, without Black Jack, this event would be an awful lot more difficult, if not impossible. What they do for us is incalculable. And invaluable. Collection, storage, delivery & distribution. Black Jack help to make this event what it was and has become.

In short, on many levels, they are integral.

And there was one thing I wanted to do whilst this event exists. Brew with the most chilled man in Manchester. The man who couldn’t be more chilled if he was called Jack Frost. Rich. Therefore....

I’ve also tried to get other people involved in these brewdays. People who might never have done this before. And people who love the brewery concerned. Meet Sarah..... A self – confessed Black Jack fan.....

Being Rich, this was a relaxed brewday with a relaxed start time. So I had a lie in.

The plan : An American Brown Ale. My liquid catnip. My favourite beer style. And Rich was all over that!

The execution : Entering the Brewhouse via the tradesman’s entrance, Rich & Euan were already sorting the malt out, with a whole sack of brown nestling in with the Pale and smaller amounts of Black & Cara ready for the hot bath they were about to receive.

Now then, I’ve mashed in at a few breweries over the last 4 years, but watching Rich was a revelation. A fury of blurring arm action, I was embarrassed by my puny efforts. Now I love the porridgey smell of mashed Pale malt, but once the brown and black sloshed in, the smells were astonishingly good. Bitter chocolate and biscuity porridge aromas don’t half make me drool!

Enter Sarah at this point. To chorus of Happy Birthday. And she was totally prepared for my birthday “gift”, the dig out. I didn’t expect her to be so bloody enthusiastic though!

Transfer to the copper completed, hop time! Again, Sarah dove into breaking up the Crystal & sticky Comet with relish. Savouring the opening of the hops is a joy and that Comet was SO juicy and aromatic. I think Sarah enjoyed that bit!

The smoothest of brewdays. Deploying an unfeasible amount of hops for a mid strength beer, the brewery smelt amazingly fruity and a quick taste of the “brewers breakfast” of the hot transferring wort had all the earthy, biscuity flavours I was expecting. This is going to be everything I want in this style once those aromatic hops and bittering Admiral do their thing.

Max & Jeff arriving with doughnuts (accompanied by some El Dorado Sour) rounded off the brewday so well. Before I knew it, Rich was digging out a serious depth of spent hops and we were done! And over to the even MORE social side of this, to The Runaway Tap for a brewday debrief (ans a sneaky keg taste of a beer we’re getting on CASK) then finishing the day in the obvious place. The Smithfield and more beery chat with Euan, Rich & Rob.

A day to remember for both me & Sarah. I think she enjoyed her birthday dig – she was a natural!

Thank you Rich & Euan. Not to forget Rob. And HUGE thanks to Sarah for her Herculean efforts in overcoming the effects of a rather late night and having such an obviously fun time. It always is at Black Jack.

Can’t wait for the Summer Brewtap’s return!

4 more brewdays to go. The end is in sight. Just over 3 ½ weeks until those doors open..... Few remaining tickets (Thursday evening only) available here.... See you at Hemsley House!

#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 7 - Five Towns (The Trilogy Completed : AKA "A Sweet Thing at the Magic Shed")

From the very first ISBF in 2014, Malcolm Bastow and his Five Towns beers have been a fixture at our little bash. I knew they were good, but little did I know they they would become so integral to the event. Voted by drinkers as “Beer of the Festival in 2014, 2015 and last year, with last year’s beer (The Belgian Rhubarb tripel “Always Crashing….” entering local legend and an entire 9 selling out in only a few hours at the Smithfield!)

It’s become a tradition to have 2 beers. But this year……Oh bugger it. Take it away Jock - today’s guest scribe!

“So between Jim (Beers Manchester & ISBF founder) and Malcolm (Five Towns Owner & brewer), they concocted the idea that Malcolm would have 2 of his own beers and a Collab on at #ISBF5.

Well, he has earned this, seeing as his beers have won beer of the Independent Salford Beer festival 3 out of 4 previous years.

Impy seems settled in Wakefield!

We were discussing the beers a few weeks back at a Five Towns Tap take over in Harry's Bar Wakefield and when Malcolm said that one of the beers would have Melon hops and a little sweetness, an idea occurred...

Malcolm is a massive Bowie fan and as I am too (Jock) and many of his beers are Bowie theme named, I blurted out 'Sweet Thing' (at least I think it was me) then we all thought,hang on….. 3 beers? Why not call them…… ...Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing(Reprise) a trilogy of Bowie songs from the classic “Diamond Dogs” album and often performed/recorded live as one longer dark and seedy wonderful song. My Bowie favourite...

So a plan was hatched, 3 beers, 3 brew days - All available first at ISBF5.

Jim, Malcolm and ISBF comrades had already held 2 of the brew days (already blogged by Jim), so this was the 3rd one, 

5.30am up and 7am start, myself and Jim arrived at same time and on entering the Magic Shed at the bottom of Malcolm's garden……..

……Where I found out that the Candidate had been casked and Sweet Thing (Reprise) was sat in the fermenter making itself beautiful for the aforementioned Charity beer festival.

The mash was prepared, with mash temp at 66.6 (a photo op NOT to be missed – Ed), Transferred to the copper then bittering hops added. Leaving those to the boil, we went for a brew of a different kind.

We had company for this from no other than the man himself - Bowie! A life size cut out in Malcolm's living room.

Breaking up the Hops is joy, smells wonderful, then this incredible smelling Melon hops 'batch one' was added, a short time later 'batch two' of the Melon Hops was added.

Only if this was scratch and sniff could you really enjoy how good the raw hops smelt.

Time for breakfast, another brew accompanied by that cardboard life-size Bowie and Bacon/Sausage/Egg muffins. Refreshed and ready for some physical work, Jim and I dug out the used Mash and put it in sacks ready for the local farmer to use to feed his cattle.

The luscious liquid then syphoned, pumped really, via heat exchange apparatus to the Fermenter. Jim added the final touch, the yeast.

Malcolm will 'dry hop' with Melon hop pellets later...job done..4 or 5 hours of the most enjoyable work this desk jockey has done since 'this time last year'

Thanks to Malcolm and Jim for a good day. And this beer 'Sweet Thing' will be a pale, lovely drinkable 5.0 to 5.5%, the other 2 beers in the trilogy around 9%!

This one will be the first one I try on Thursday 29th November. Hemsley House, Salford. I have tickets, many, many others have too, not many left....

Every single penny of profit goes to Charity.

Great people. Great charity. Great venue and GREAT BEER.”

Cheers Jock!

He’s coming. Are you? The last few remaining tickets are here

#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 6 - North Riding, Elusive, Five Towns

An evening and a day in Scarborough. At my favourite pub. And brewing with - and I will argue the case with anyone - the best specialist cask brewery in the UK, along with one of the most respected brewers “darn sarf” and all the winners of Beer of the Festival at ISBF.

I couldn’t be objective….Well, I could, but I’m lazy. So, over to #EvilKegFilth Overlord Chris!

“Jim asked if I wanted to write this up. So I did.

‘Went to brew beer. Brewed beer. Job Done.’

Jim said that was a little succinct, so I had another bash.

He also asked me if I wanted to go to North Riding to brew some beer. Well, I haven’t been to Scarborough since I was about 25, and therefore to North Riding.... exactly never, so I jumped at this opportunity. Reason number 1. I’ve had Stuart’s beers before (most recently at an MTB at Stalybridge Buffet bar) and they’re bloody delicious. Reason number 2. Then Jim casually mentioned that the Dave Grohl of Brewing was going to be there too, doing a collab for the festival. Like everyone else, I love Andy, and his Elusive beers. So, that was reason number 3. Sorted.

What I didn’t know was how long it would take to get to Scarborough on the train. Having to go via Manchester and then the Transpennine Express to Scarborough meant a nigh on 4 hour journey. A great idea was formed. Lunch at the Marble Arch? Yup. I’m obviously up for that too. Sunday lunch, a couple of pints and then we were finally at Victoria Station. Which was rammed. Trains cancelled left right and centre made for a stand up journey for me until Leeds. The OAP took a seat.....

 Finally, we got to Scarborough and, taxis not forthcoming, walked the mile or so to the North Riding Brewpub. Greetings were exchanged, and beer was drank. Quite a bit of beer in a short space of time. Stuart announced that we would need to be up and ready for 07:15 the next morning. Great, a lie-in! So we had another beer and then we retired.

Of course, it being Monday, I had my work alarm set. So Black Sabbath duly chimed out at 05:30. Oops, sorry Jim! Off to the brewery on time, ready for the first mash in of the day. That’s right.... the plan was to brew 2 beers today. The “official” ISBF/North Riding/Elusive collab, and the North Riding Brew Pub / Elusive collab. Which meant two locations. Obviously this was going to be fun.....

 Mash in, and therefore beer number one was at the “Factory”, which is North Riding’s brewery just outside Scarborough on a little craft industrial estate.

An India Porter, to be around 7% ABV, so that meant a bill comprising pale, brown, black and chocolate malts. Pretty soon, the brewery was smelling delicious, Jim had stirred some porridge and we got some breakfast. Oh yes, you need a good breakfast. And this was a BIG sandwich. Bacon and sausage. With the emphasis on BIG and SAUSAGE. It was tremendous. And we didn’t take a photo. How rude of us!

Whilst the first mash was cooking, we then set off back to the Brew Pub to mash in for the second beer. Are you keeping up? This is the one that’s the collab between North Riding Brew Pub and Elusive. This would be an American Red, designed mostly by Andy, so that meant lots of hops would be used. Pale and caramalts were used here, so that we got a good red hue on the beer. We were introduced to John, who would be looking after the brew at the Brew Pub. In went all the malt, another stir by Jim, then back over to the Factory to see how brew number one was getting on.

We won’t bore you with how the brewing process. Suffice it to say, that there were the usual fabulous smells, for this one it was chocolate, coffee and toast. Pretty much a good breakfast right there, I’d say. The wort was run off into the copper, it was a good deep black, exactly as planned. Then it was time to stand around while that came to the boil.

Except for Andy and I.

We had to get back to the Brew Pub to repeat for the collab there. Lots of fun and games, with a very different smell attached. This being a red, hoppy beer, it was like chalk and cheese to the India Porter. Run off done, Andy happy with the colour, and off we went back to the Factory, while John looked after this brew.

At the Factory, Jim was well into the digging out the mash tun phase, which he’s particularly good at, so I left him to it :) Emptied, cleaned and tidied, the copper up to temperature, in went some hops. One whole kilogram of magnum. I know, it’s not a lot, but this is a dark beer, not a hop bomb! Time for another batch of waiting. Good time to catch up with gossip, news, and good friends.

Time for the end of boil hop addition. This time it was 5kg of centennial. This honour was Jim’s, quite rightly. In they went, another quick stir, and time to run off into the fermenting vessel, adding the yeast of course. Andy had to leave at this point, it’s a fair drive back to Berkshire, so we said our goodbyes and off he went. Jim and I having booked a stupidly late train out from Scarborough, after cleaning up the copper, off we went back to the Brew Pub for a couple of well earned points. (Or “pints” - Ed)

A big thanks to all involved today. Stuart & Karen from North Riding / North Riding Brew Pub. John for looking after Brew 2. Graham for clambering into the copper to clean it out. Malcolm from Five Towns for fetching the breakfast sandwiches. Andy for coming a long way to make this collab happen. We are really looking forward to these beers at ISBF. You should be too......

 Chris (AKA #ISBF5 #EvilKegFilth Overlord)”

#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 5 - Five Towns x Rivington

At last! The final collab of the 4 day #ISBF5 #CollabFrenzy. And one I’ve been looking forward to for almost 7 months.

As some of you may know, I (Jim) have a favourite beer festival. It’s East West Fest. Originally modelled on the first ISBF, it had stayed true to its original premise. Generally, that is beer from the North West & Beer from Yorkshire. In cask. And it’s like no other cask event.

I source the beers / breweries from the North West. And in April arranged a collab brew with Malcolm (Five Towns & East West Founder) and Ben at Rivington. A beer that became Citra Ra Ra. A Citra DIPA. And an utter juice bomb on cask.

We then decided upon a return match. For #ISBF5.

Then, about a month ago, Ben had an idea of something he wanted to try.....

So. For the 3rd time in 4 days, I was on the road. Early morning. To that magical shed in Wakefield. From feeling shattered, I was energised. Because I was excited by the plan. But I soon realised I didn’t know ALL the details!

Mash tun. Crammed. Unlike Sunday, this wasn’t a double mash.

With that full and steeping, out came the hops. Early hops (bittering)? Nah. Late hops, Lemon Drop & Amarillo. Followed by flame out aroma hops of Citra & Mosaic. Lots

Fruity too. Creamy. NOT for the lactose intolerant (sorry Jock!) VERY fruity. Mango. Peach. Passion Fruit.

Unlike Sunday, this was a smooth brewday, with everything going like clockwork. Ben tried to guilt trip me (joking) by helping to clean up. But I was cleaned out. Elated, but knackered. What a way to finish four straight collab brewdays though. With two of my favourite brewers. Playing with ingredients like big kids.

And it hasn’t been dry-hopped yet! With unfeasible amounts of Lemon Drop, Amarillo, Mosaic & Citra…

Being an individual who starts Trilogies at no 2, this was bound to be out of sequence. This is Beer 3 of a trilogy. The 3rd song of a sequence. Sweet Thing/Candidate/Sweet Thing (Reprise). The name of the collab sequence came from a conversation from #ISBF4. From Jock. His favourite Bowie song(s). Mike’s (Mr DJ) too. Both HUGE Bowie fans. As is Malcolm.

Sweet Thing (Reprise) : Imperial Fruited Milkshake IPA. Who wants some? Tickets here. There aren’t many left.

One day later………Vivid enough for you?

Ignore the abvs!

#ISBF Collab Brew No 4 - Thirst Class

When Richard Conway suggested a collab beer for #ISBF5 (actually, he’s doing two!), I jumped at the offer. Because – ever so quietly – he’s established himself (as Thirst Class) as one of the “go to” breweries in Greater Manchester. With minimal fuss, he makes some of the best beer in the region, consistent, tasty with a playful eye for flavour. He’s good.

He’s also the “victim” of one of my proudest flavour achievements. He had to clean out the FV that had 18kg of blitzed raspberries chucked into a big Stout “War of the Raspberries” that we made for #ISBF3 with Stuart Neilson of North Riding. And that was one beautiful beer.

And his thoughts for this one sounded delicious too...

Coming off the back of consecutive 4:45 starts, an 8:30 mash in sounded delightful.....

Mash in was straightforward. Blissfully so. Which meant time for a little breakfast, chat a visual overview of the brewery. Things have changed here since my last visit, with 4 fermenters bearing testament to gradual expansion built on demand for tasty beers. He’s certainly come a long way since brewing Elephant Hawk IPA on the Quantum kit!

Whilst the mostly pale malt bill steeping, hops were weighed out for early (bittering) addition and late flavour more to enhance the addition of the “adjuncts”. Which are the purpose of this beer. Dandelion and Burdock roots. 3kg of each. With a little enhancing ginger seasoning.

Yesterday was a day to watch. And learn. And dig. And I learned loads. Richard is a very talented and knowledgeable fella and talked me through lots of process stuff, in amongst the general shooting of breeze.

The whole brewday was smooth as silk with everything going precisely as it should (a bloody rare thing!) and it was an absolute pleasure to help clean and dig out 305kg (dry) of wet grains. Something my shoulder now regrets!

Feeling – ever so slightly – exhausted after 3 consecutive brewdays and distinctly flagging, it was soon time to depart. It’s always a pleasure to work with talented people (something that the self – depreciating Richard would never claim for himself) and Mr Conway is certainly one of those. And with equally talented people like Pete & Duncan working with him, I can only see more bright things on the horizon for Thirst Class.

And I’m REALLY looking forward to this Dandelion & Burdock Pale!

Fancy one? You know where it will be first..... Few remaining tickets here (and Saturday evening nearly sold out now)

#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 2 - Torrside x Runaway

(AKA : “Beer is a fine thing”)

This first guest post was written by James (AKA “Beerfinder General”) - who, being a bit enamoured of the brewery in question, selflessly offered to “assist” the brewers along with his own arch-nemesis Lee (aka “Leggywolf”)

Over to you J…..

Beer is a fine thing. Not just because it’s beer, or even because it occasionally allows the wash of alcohol to soak your bones and unlock parts of your brain that are normally untapped (NOT untappd), but because it should be part of social interaction and spending time with people.

Ever since ISBF2*, which for me was a watershed in terms of getting to know people who are now close friends (oh, and @leggywolf), beer and the people linked to it have been part of an ever growing sense of community and friendship. This isn’t hyperbole, or at least I don’t think it is, but just how I’ve seen my own sense of place and connection develop alongside the wider Manchester beer scene.

And an epicentre of that change has been Torrside brewery. Partly because they are local to me, partly because they have helped me discover beer styles that I’d never heard of previously, partly because they brew consistently great beer, and partly because they are, to a person (and this includes the wider team), lovely people (and Kami is ok I guess but she’s no Stanley…).**

So taking this starting point, and adding in one of the breweries who originally got me excited about beer in Manchester, Runaway Brewery, meant an ISBF5 collaboration brew between them could not be missed. And so I didn’t.

Arriving at 9:30am, a full 45 minutes before Lee (@Leggywolf) even though he set off 2 hours before me (a worthy punishment for living in Blackburn 😊), I bumped into Mark and Jack from Runaway at New Mills Newtown station. We arrived to the impenetrable expression of Kami and the mashing in began, cups of coffee were rustled up, and stirring paddles were held aloft. Inevitably, the stars of the show, ‘the famous giant spoons of Torrside’, were presented for everyone’s appreciation although unfathomably they weren’t to be used for this brew.

It wouldn’t be a Torrside collaboration brew day without appropriate snackware. Pork pies, Percy Pigs, pork balls (even if they have egg in the middle they are still pork balls Kate!), and the essential hummus were all present, which was just as well given that the first beer of the day (All Day Breakfast appropriately) was generously presented at 11am…. Lee even created the ultimate craft snack – a Bugle crisp filled with hummus finished with a chipstick 99!

The rest of the brew day was as you’d expect. Bursts of activity in between waiting and chatting, and chatting and waiting. This could be boring, or at least drag in places, but really the day was about the company and that company meant the day flew by. I’m fairly sure my face now has at least 15 extra wrinkles from laughing so much, although that could just be old age - the bastard.

You might be surprised that there isn’t really talk here about the hops used (a massive 10KG each of Citra and Mosaic BTW), the process undertaken, the sparging, the re-circulation, the yeast used etc.

But it really was about the people and spending the day just having a great time (myself and Lee did actually do some work, although it mainly involved walking up to refill our glasses with the kindly provided beers on tap 😊). And I suppose that brings us full circle back to the Independent Salford Beer Festival - people first (but good beer helps!).

Finally, a massive thanks to both Torrside and Runaway for a great day.

See you at Hemsley House!

*I missed the first one due to poor planning to my eternal regret – I’ll now never have a full set of ISBF glasses which, I’m sure everyone would agree, is nothing less than a tragedy

**this praise is a fairly blatant attempt to usurp Lee as Torrside’s No 1 Fanboy. If it doesn’t work I know this will always remain a distant dream

#ISBF5 Collab Brew No 3 - Bexar County

Some things are simply necessary. Essential.

Today was one of those things. Going to help brew a beer. At Bexar County of Peterborough, with that playful Texan, Mr Steve Saldana. This day was originally scheduled for 28th September 2016, the day after everything changed.

I couldn’t miss this one. It was important. To me personally, but also to #ISBF5. Because Bexar County brings fun, that certain playfulness that’s sometimes missing in beer.

I’ve loved Steve’s beers. Each one I’ve had. From the moment I tried his Pecan Coffee Mild at the Crooke Hall Inn. It was delicious. Delicate, tasty. And..... Unusual. Something that Steve makes a habit of. To say the least.

This brewday saw me up and in the road again at 4:45 am. In darkness on the M62. Witnessing driving straight out of Mad Max. When I finally got to the brewery, Steve was already there, grain ready, waiting to mash in.

When I first saw his idea, I had to double take. And thought out loud “He meant Sorachi yeah?” But no. This is Steve Saldana. This is Bexar County. Sorachi is, well, normal. Usual. And he doesn’t do the expected.

The first indication should have been the 280 Green Tea bags entering the muslin enclosure..... The grain being mashed in, that tea went into the HLT to steep, whilst we went for (a substantial) breakfast.

And then, the other ingredients started to reveal themselves. Did you know how good dried mango tastes?

And that was the least of the madness about to unfold. Sparging Green Tea was merely the start.

The smells were quite unlike anything I’ve ever smelt. Yet, melded. Sweetness, spice, fruitiness and a little acetic twist. Simply astonishing. And inspired.

This, coming from the man who brought that Kombucha Soured Milk Neapolitan Ale to #ISBF3. I almost bowed. Worshipping the sheer audacity. The blue sky thought that goes into something like this is beyond my comprehension. If that beer was “The Thin Line Between Genius & Insanity”, then this is most definitely the sequel. Oh yes.

A Mango, Green Tea and Sriracha Pale anyone? It’s the first thing I’ll be at on set up day. Its my privilege. And it will BE a privilege!

You coming? Not many tickets left at all now.

After brew, we popped along to Steve’s bar. Stoneworks. And I was glad I did, even if I could only have a (delicious) half of Thornbridge Lukas.

This place just looks - and feels - complete. Stylish without pretence. The simple things done well. With thought. And well executed.

Yes. A shuffleboard!

MAN is this a beautiful place! Over 20 keg lines (mostly occupied tonight with beers from the Maine Beer Box that came over from the States) housed in a converted refrigerated container, simple, effective and well thought out. As is the bar itself.

And we need to come back. As a team. If you live within reach, deny yourself the pleasure no longer

#ISBF5 Collab Brewday No 1 - Five Towns & Beer Central

The first brewer to contact me when I agreed to do a beer festival.

Winner of Beer of the Festival 3 times out of 4.

Referred to as “your mate” by some.

That’s Malcolm Bastow of Five Towns Brewery of Wakefield. A good man. Who happens to brew exceptional beer.

And someone I consider a friend. Someone without whom this event would be more difficult. Someone who has helped me in more ways than I can begin to say.

But all that would count for nothing if his beer was ordinary. Which it certainly isn’t.

I’ve been lucky. Lucky in that I’ve gotten to brew twice at each of the last 3 festivals in that little shed at the bottom of the garden. It’s always fun. It’s always interesting. And has resulted in 2 Beer of the Festival winners in Art Decade & last year’s winner “Always Crashing In The Same Car”.

Brewing with Malcolm is an ISBF tradition. Which is why I left home at 4:45 this morning. To be in Wakefield for 6am. Yes, there IS another 6 in the day....

Like several of the beers we’ve brewed with Malcolm, the name came first.

We’re both Bowie fans and so is Jock (who’s coming to brew in Wakefield next weekend. Jock – I discovered at #ISBF4 – has a favourite Bowie tune which is actually a segue of 3. From the classic Diamond Dogs album. Sweet Thing, Candidate, Sweet Thing (Reprise). With 2 of the beers being collabed on with Malcolm featuring fruit, this one HAD to be Candidate.

So. At 4:45am (yes, there IS another 4:45 on a Sunday), I was on the road.

To Wakefield. And a certain shed.

When it comes to beer, my heart is dark. And increasingly big. So when Malcolm revealed his thoughts to me and our Co – Conspirator (Sean Clarke of Sheffield’s mighty atom of a beer shop “Beer Central “) his thoughts, I was delighted.

Big. Roasty. And breakfasty.

A double mash in, meant a 6am start. And – after a Billy Bragg gig the night before.........

First mash smelt delicious. All the inherent aromas of Roasted Barley, coffee, chocolate porridge. One of my favourite smells. And dark. As dark as Vladimir Putin’s heart. But much tastier. (Which predictive text initially had as Tsarier.....)

That was run off to the copper, tun dug it was time for mash two. Ordinarily, with a big beer, a single mash on Malcolm’s small (2 ½ barrel) kit would only give up about 5 casks. But this brew was also to celebrate 5 years of Beer Central. And Sean wants a lot of bottles to mark that. So it needed more beer.

So. What have we made? Well. A big Breakfast Stout. Oatmeal, Coffee, Milky (lactose) and fruity with lots of pureed blueberries going in to the fermenter. It’s gonna be like a liquidised fruity black porridge. And it’s likely to come out at about 9% abv

Come get some! The few remaining tickets can be found here

Tomorrow? Another early start. Off to Peterborough. And some liquid lunacy. With Steve Saldana at Bexar County. A special day for me. Those that know, know.

"It's Beer Jim, But Not As We Know It!"

OK. So I was listening to “Star Trekking” by The Firm. Bite me!

Well HELLO!

Tempus Fugit and all that and here at The ISBF Institute of Beery Pleasures we’re about to embark on our annual COLLAB FRENZY! You shall hear ALL about it tomorrow evening.

However, this one is special as it is the first leg of the ISBF Wakefield Trilogy (It’s like “The Berlin Trilogy” But Diamond Dogs themed. And beery.) Our Bowie themed series of beers with last year’s Beer of the Festival winner (AND 2014 & 2015!), Five Towns. I love getting up at 4:30 in the morning! But it’s for you lot. So I do it with a song in my heart!

Anyway, given the Cavalcade of Collabs that will be reported upon, this may be the last “leak post” for some time. But it’s a good un. As I now know a few more of the beers that are a comin’. And as I couldn’t hold water – never mind secrets.....

The Final line on the North West side on cask was confirmed last week. But I kept mi gob shut. Even though I was bursting to tell you about it!

Those who came to ISBF4 may remember that we had the first keg anywhere of the Runaway / GRUB collab “Lemon Drizzle IPA”. A beer that – months later – people were tweeting ME about. Asking if was ever coming back. Or “where can I get that... “etc. It WAS bloody fabulous to be fair. But no. We’re not getting that back. It would break the “Prime Directive”. But again, Mark (Runaway) and GRUB are Collabing. This year, it’s a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. And both Mark & Bailey generously agreed to stick 40 litres (or 72 pints in pre decimal) into a cask.

Just one. And we get it. Let that sink in......I’ve got a feeling this may rival the De Ranke XXX in vanishing swiftly! Permission to drool is hereby granted.

And you could drink it in one of these…..

The Final cask line on the Yorkshire side was confirmed this week too. Nick Briggs of Mallinsons finding some time to brew under his own imprint of Briggs Signature Ales. Expect something punchy and hoppy. And VERY sessionable!

Those lovely fellas at Twisted Barrel of Coventry confirmed their beer yesterday.... “Behold A Pale Horse” is a Dry Hopped Belgian Tripel coming in at a judicious 9% abv. And there’s only 20L of it. So please form an orderly queue!

And, you could drink it in one of these…..

The mighty Wishbone of Keighley have pulled off a pre-Xmas cracker for us too! A rare pin of their Imperial Stout has been nestling cozily in their store. Snoozing. And, I’m informed by no less than Chris from Torrside, that it is utterly lush. If you ever needed a recommendation .......!

This year, we also have our first beer at ISBF from Vocation! Now, you KNOW the way my mind works. Especially with the “early agreed” beers. So, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that it’s BIG. And IMPERIAL. And STOUTY. And the only place you get to try this in CASK, in the Manchester area, is here. At Hemsley House. And we’re delighted.

On a slightly lighter tip, the lovely – and ever so talented – Dave at Macc Brew Co has got us sorted a delicious Yuzu & Sorachi Pale. (Cask maven Linda will be popping next door to the #EvilKegFilth room for her Sorachi fix!)

————————————

Tickets. Amazingly, we have less than 30 TICKETS AVAILABLE for Saturday evening! Yes. That’s the MAGNIFICENT closing session with the mighty George Fell blissing you out with guitar genius! You. Have. Been. Warned.

We’ve had 4 returns for Friday lunch too. They’re available now. But won’t be there for long.

Thursday evening. The one evening that you’re GUARANTEED a chance to taste ANY of the beers. There are now less than 60 tickets for that too. #ThirstChanceThursday is a thing.

Tickets available here. Don’t hang about.

So. Back tomorrow. With the first collab report. Candidate. With Five Towns and Beer Central of Sheffield. I want a case reserving already!

More Than A Feeling - Pt 2

Hello again.

This event, The Independent Salford Beer Festival has – over a period of years – almost subconsciously, absorbed lessons from other events (beer or otherwise). Taking the best bits as it were. Yet some things are shared values. Respect and decency being key. This event has been built on friendships, something that had been commented on previously. Repeatedly. Yes, I’m boring like that...

Something at Indy Man this week stood out. Not the beer or anything like that. It was a notice. About treating people with respect. The intention of that hit the mark.

We, by accident or design (more likely by accident), have had no incidents or issues – none that you would notice anyways. There is no written constitution. No list of “do’s”. No list of “don’ts”. I say It’s not written, because it’s never needed to be. Just play nice.

Or in the words of Ellen DeGeneres’ sign off to each show (which I’ve appropriated), “Be Kind To One Another”.

This event is about fun, talking with friends, meeting new ones. Beer is a conversational lubricant, not the end itself.

If I have one major fault. I’m intolerant of intolerance. And that’s no major fault in my eyes.

Like the lady says “Be kind to one another”.

Collabs info #3

Our first collab is actually next week. With Mallinsons. Their first Lager. Can’t wait!

Then? 4 collabs in 4 days. FOUR. I’m obviously some elevated kind of idiot.

Sunday 21st : Wakefield. And a rather large Breakfast Stout with Five Towns and Sheffield’s mighty outlet Beer Central.

Monday 22nd : Peterborough. And the Texan Alchemist Steve Saldana at Bexar County with Michelle Shipman reawakening Offbeat. Madness awaits......

Tuesday 23rd : Stockport. And our beloved Thirst Class with a deliciously different sounding Blackcurrant & Licorice Pale. Got my juices flowing at least!

Wednesday 24th : Wakefield again. And an Imperial Fruited Milkshake IPA with Five Towns in Collab with Lancashire flavour upstarts Rivington.

I’m feeling shattered already! And you will hear about those brewdays here.

I may burn my holidays entitlement on this event. And these brewdays. But I do enjoy it. Just a little bit.

That “special” cask..... Like I’ve said, if an opportunity arises for something “different”, I’ll always think about it at least. I’d heard of an opportunity last year and - when I’d decided to DO #ISBF5 - thought I’d give it a go. A brewery sending casks over the water. And getting backfills. I started to get excited, but - being a “glass half-full” type - didn’t think it would happen.

But it has. So, having had a “North only” policy, I decided to break it. But not for something South of Crewe. We headed East. Across the North Sea. To Belgium. And De Ranke and their XXX. In cask. I’m fairly sure it fits the criteria of “1st time in Manchester”!

And it won’t last long.

For now, that is all. Collab frenzy starts next week. This spring is coiled.

Tickets available here. For now. Snoozing is Losing.

More Than A Feeling

From the moment that I started to receive replies to my initial tweet in 2014 (about “agreeing” to “do” a beer festival), this event has ALWAYS been about the feeling. That’s been paramount for me.

 The beer – whilst excellent, and the initial driver – has been a secondary consideration. Please don’t let me be misunderstood (I’m just a soul who’s intentions are good…..), I know that the beers are good, I pick great breweries, so that’s a given, but it’s always been that indefinable “feeling” that had brought people back, year after year.

I will never forget meeting Carl (now brewing at Twisted Barrel) and being amazed that someone came all the way from Coventry! Later, I learned about George coming along from Aberdeen to kill some time the weekend of a big gig. He’s come back every year since. As has Carl. As does Mike from Brighton. That fills me with..... . It is something that we – the wider ISBF “family” are incredibly proud of. And that wider family of friends (for, after 5 years, that’s what we are) have been the heartbeat of the event for this entire time. The cast may have changed at the fringes slightly – year on year – but the core remains. And are now firm friends.

Friendships have started in the draughty Community Centre. In fact – after some important family stuff later, I may be seeing a group of friends who had never met each other before year one. And ALL met at St Sebastian’s.

That “feeling” comes from the people. Those both volunteering and attending. They make an event. But it’s also about being “comfortable”, “relaxed”. Being able to sit if you want. Stand if you want. Have personal space. These things are also important. They’ve also been there from the start. And they remain.

It’s why I’ve limited ticketing to an absolute maximum of 275. When there’s space for many more. This isn’t hype generation, it’s about keeping that sense of space to breathe. That “275” applies on Friday evening to the end on Saturday. On Thursday evening and Friday afternoon they’re even more restricted – to help us deal with teething issues. They’re the (even more) comfortable sessions. Always a pleasure.

To me, this things above are the things that are paramount. That the beer will be excellent is a given.

Speaking of which – there are one or two more collabs and beer details to leak..... Firstly.....

I’ve alluded to a “special” cask. Something that’s not “Northern”. In person, I’ve mentioned that it’s from “further East than Scarborough..... “. At this moment, there is a clean empty cask. Sat in a certain Belgian brewery. Awaiting filing. A cask. I don’t think it will last long. If an opportunity arises.... And that’s what this was. An opportunity just TOO good to pass up.

In the planning stages, we have a collab with one of my favourite breweries (Neptune) and one of my favourite beer styles (an American Brown Ale). Watching Neptune grow and spread out, gaining an ever growing reputation for flavour, quality and consistently has been a joy. And Les (and the lovely Julie) were there in Year 1. On the Saturday afternoon. Before he was brewing. Just like Carl (who they were sat with – I never forget stuff like that!)

For very personal reasons, that brewday matters hugely to me. And will be an intensely emotional day. And one I’m looking forward to hugely.

Likewise, another emotional brewday is in the planning with the Texan alchemist Steve Saldana at Bexar County and Offbeat. One that was originally slated for 28/09/2016. The creator of the Kombucha Soured Milk Neapolitan Ale that tasted like the layers of Neapolitan ice cream. Truly, it did! I have no idea what’s planned at the moment. But it won’t be a 4% Stout hopped with fuggles. I’m fairly sure of THAT.

We’ve got Session pales planned with Pictish and Blue Bee. Doing what they excel at.

The beer details are starting to come in on a dripfeed. And I’ll keep posting them for you here. So you can drool.

——————————————-

Re ticketing. You may now be aware that BOTH Friday evening and Saturday lunch sessions are now SOLD OUT. That’s incredibly flattering and quite comforting – given the volume of beer we’re committed to! They were sessions pitched at 275 capacity (with some tickets retained for sponsors). Thursday evening and Friday lunch are even more restricted with only 175 as a limit. Saturday evening is at 275. Tickets have started to sell well for that one now – the music is going to be ACE that night too.

If you want to sponsor a beer, It’s £60. You get two tickets to the session of choice (subject to availability), £10 tokens and two glasses. And our immense gratitude (both in programme and in the Web) You also get to pick the brewery you sponsor (again, subject to availability). The link for that is here.

Tickets – as said above – are now quite limited and are available via this link.

And remember. ALL profits from this event go to charity. This year, Start in Salford. A more than worthwhile cause.

Come and join us. While you still can.

Be kind to one another.

Jim x

#ISBF5 : Collaborations Pt 1 (And more Breweries!)

We’re BACK!

Hello again! To what – if this carries on – will become a weekly update.

Since year 2, one of the things that has been most commented upon about this event is the number of collaboration brews we get involved with. Directly or otherwise. It’s an absolute given that the month before the event is busy. Very busy.

#ISBF5 is different. It’s going to be busier. Much busier. At one point, I had brewdays scheduled on 4 consecutive days. FIVE brewdays on FOUR consecutive days.

Like I said. Busier.

Some of these brewdays have now been inked in to schedules. And I’m getting slightly tingly (maybe that’s the blood pressure spiking.....)

The fun starts 21st October. At the home of 3x Beer of the Festival winner. Five Towns. And this first brew will be a collaboration with Sean from Sheffield’s marvellous Beer Central beer emporium. Malcolm’s exotica tends to fly out almost before it hits the shelves. And this beer promises to be no different.

“Candidate” promises to be a rather big Breakfast Stout. Full of rich, creamy, roasty goodness. Coffee, oats....... Malcolm’s “Blackout” Stout has entered local legend (“The Stoutiest Stout ever”was one comment!) This promises to be special. And anyone who knows Malcolm, knows that he’s an enormous Bowie fan. So keep “Candidate” in mind. There’s a Bowie trilogy coming...

Next comes 2 days later, with a more local brewday, with Stockport’s fabulous Thirst Class.

I’m an unashamed fanboy of the beery output of Richard Conway and his North Reddish kit. In fact – a little known fact – my favourite ISBF collab – was brewed by Richard (in collab with Stuart Neilson of North Riding Brewery) “War of the Raspberries” was a turbo charged version of Richard’s own Stocky Oatmeal Stout, with an addition of 18kg of Yorkshire raspberries. In both keg and cask it was stunning. And then I had a bottle almost 18 months later. It was ASTONISHINGLY good.

I have absolutely no idea what Richard is thinking with this beer, but I can’t WAIT to start digging.

The NEXT DAY, sees a return to Five Towns. This time with a collab planned 6 months earlier. With Rivington. The return leg of a brewday we had for East West Fest last April. “Citra Ra Ra... “ was a murky juicebomb of a DIPA. Stunning in cask at The Red Shed. To top it would be difficult. But Ben & Malcolm love a challenge.

“Sweet Thing (Reprise)” (Bowie fans. Do you see where this is going?) will be an Imperial Fruited Milkshake IPA (Permission to smack your lips is granted!)

Three Days later, we’re (With Bowie nerd Jock!) back at Five Towns for the second #ISBF5 / Five Towns collab (It’s written into the ISBF Founding Charter!). “Sweet Thing” is going to be a Melon infused hoppy Pale hopped with Huell Melon hops.

And...... Relax? No.

Don’t be alarmed. The ABVs are purely for illustration!

The next day, I catch a train to Scarbados. For..... Something a bit different.

A 4 handed double brewday collab. WHAT? OK. Let me try to explain.

North Riding Brewery. Elusive Brewing. Five Towns. And #ISBF5 (in the svelte forms of YT and the #EvilKegFilth Overlord, Chris) Two simultaneous brews. One at North Riding Brewery. One at The North Riding Brewpub. One of the beers *could* be an India Porter. Hopped with my “catnip de jour” Centennial (and Columbus). I’m an unabashed North Riding fanboy. My favourite cask beer of 2018 was a US Session drunk in the Brewpub during a rather special collab brewday in April. It was – quite simply – ASTONISHINGLY good. I’ve had some good beer this year, but that just rocked my world.

That very beer!

And think about it. My favourite cask brewery (North Riding) combined with the only two breweries to win beer of the Festival at ISBF? All bets are off on this year’s winner! Maybe.....

Maybe? Because there are 95 beers from some of the best breweries in the UK. Coming to Hemsley House at the end of November. And - now confirmed in that list are Nottingham stars Neon Raptor & Liquid Light! And from Portrush on the North coast of Northern Ireland, we have Lacada!

if you love beer and haven’t got a ticket, why the hell not?

If so, click this link. And spoil yourself. You won’t regret it! (I keep my promises)

More teasing next week?

Let The Music Play - And Other News

Hello again!

Here at #ISBF5 we’ve been beavering away in the background, trying to get you treats, both beery and non-beery in nature. This probably won’t stop until Wednesday 28th November. That has always been the nature of this event. Kind of a Salfordian take on “lastminute.com”. Personally, I (Jim) like to think that this amateurism adds to the charm of this event. But remember, I know nothing, Other than a lot of good people. Who do good things. And help.

Those who know me, know that – as improbable as it may seem – I love music MUCH more than beer. It’s true. From my first live band in October xxxx (The Damned), to my second in April xxxx (Joy Division) and onwards, music has been the thing. It can take you places that few other things can. It certainly does for me. Life would be so much poorer without great music.

We started (in 2014) with a single band. A group of young men who called themselves “Duke and the Darlings” on the Saturday night session. They played a lovely set. Then the session started to calm down as people drifted away from St Sebastian’s towards home. The band sat in what was then the only room. They sat around the table and just jammed. For the fun of it. It was a truly precious moment. And something I’ll never forget.

Duke and the Darlings played each of the first four years. Became part of the DNA of this event. Unfortunately, they won’t be with us this year. But Alex Reed, frontman, vocalist and local music promoter offered to make some calls and bring some fabulous live music. Music that would fit this glorious venue that is Hemsley House.

In my humble opinion, he’s done just that.

On the Friday evening session, we have a ”musician” (a word that doesn’t quite do him justice) called Zacc Rogers. If you’ve seen Zacc play, I think you’ll understand.

I quote “Zacc Rogers performs using the latest looping technology to create a sound scape which includes beat boxing, harmonica and guitar.  All this is done live in front of the audience (no prerecording).”

Kind of in a nutshell. And I’m really excited. Friday evening session (which is almost sold out!) is in for a rare treat – with Zacc playing two sets.

Saturday evening will see another artist/musician we haven’t hosted at St Sebastian’s. Elly Grice. An artist blessed with a fabulous voice. Alex’s word is enough for me. But I had a listen anyway. Oh yes. Listen / see for yourself here.

Saturday evening also sees the return of George Fell. At the risk of sounding like a fan boy, I’ll stop there. But those two evening sessions are going to be something special – and the vast majority of the beers will still be available on that Saturday evening session (no James, Lee, Steve, THAT’S NOT a challenge!)

When you also add on Mike & Jo and their “Rebellious Jukebox” (where you get the chance to affect the playlists!). They are both dear friends with exquisite taste. And the tunes will move……Like I said, I love music. And I’m genuinely excited by what’s coming up. With BIG thanks to Alex, Mike & Jo.

Going back to the beer....

 We have some additions to that rather lovely brewery list...

On keg, we’d like to say HELLO to Double Barrelled of Reading! I’ve heard some really good stuff from people I respect (and some of the beer that I’ve seen makes me DROOL) about this team and word is that they may not have even had a draught beer in Manchester yet? I keep repeating the phrase “genuinely excited”! But I don’t say things lightly. Can’t wait.

Returning again this year (except this time, on keg) are Cwrw Ial. With a Pilsner. Doug has been brewing in the remotest of remote locations (OK. Llanarmon-yn-Ial isn’t THAT remote. But it IS a drive!) and I’ve always been massively attracted to the community focus of this enterprise. The fact that Doug makes excellent beer is a bonus.

With an increased amount of beer on the #EvilKegFilth bar, I’m ultra keen to get more depth within styles. We’ve been far to heavy - in more ways than….. - in certain styles in the past. And I want to simultaneously broaden and deepen the range of styles and locations represented. With greater representation from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. And more sours, saisons, pilsners/lagers. Yes, the largest range will be of the “pale n ‘oppy” type. But I want something for everyone. From low abv Table Beers, to rich Imperial Stouts. And everything in between.

We’ve also got another new brewing venture coming to play. Distant Hills. There’s a certain level of mist around this. But I’m really looking forward to my first taste of their output. We might even get involved. Picturesque scenery may feature. And hops. Oh yes.

Being a rather rubbish multi-tasker, I’m trying to arrange collabs as I type. And travel details. There are some special things coming to Hemsley House. Musically, beerily, feel. It’s all about the feel.

And raising money for good causes. Always.

Come and join us. Saturday afternoon may be sold out. And Friday evening may not be far behind, but all other sessions have availability (with Thursday evening and Friday lunch deliberately limited). And remember, almost ALL the beers will be available come Saturday evening.

Click this link. Grab some tickets. And - by the simple method of drinking exceptional beer - help a good cause. You won’t regret it.

Event Charity - And Other News

Hello again.

It’s all gone a little hectic this last few days, especially after the ticket launch on Sunday. I truly didn’t expect the levels of demand and was somewhat taken aback. I also wish to apologise for the lack of information about what is included with (what appeared – at first glance – to be) the “inflated” ticket price. Hopefully that is now resolved.

Again, for the record, the ticket price includes glass, programme and £10 worth of tokens.

This post was to introduce the charity that is to receive ALL the PROFITS from #ISBF5.

Start in Salford.

The inspiration for this was Gerry. Anyone who knows us – the extended family – knows that we know tragedy first hand. Almost exactly 2 years ago my son took his own life.

An event like that changes you, it can do little else. It changes the way you think. It changes the way you live. It changes your priorities in life. And we wanted to make a difference to someone – anyone – with this event. Gerry suggested SiS. So I had a look at their website. And was convinced within minutes that THIS was the right cause to support. The right fit for us.

Mental Health may be a “buzzy” cause. But as someone who has fought with depression, I’ve been luckier than many. I’ve been “helped”. WE want others to be helped too. And YOU – by the simple expedient of enjoying yourselves, with some lovely beer, in a simply gorgeous venue, can do that. YOU can help.

I’ll let START describe themselves….

'START promotes positive mental health through creative arts-based activities and training opportunities to vulnerable people in Salford. The organisation provides an innovative range of creative arts and horticulture programmes that are directed at improving and enhancing the quality of life, health, wellbeing and social integration of the target groups within the local community, in particular, older people, young people and people who are, or at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties or social exclusion. 

The organisation supports almost 1000 people a year. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to develop learning through an artistic ability in a creative and supportive environment. Start has a variety of projects which run both from our Centre and within the local community.'

They are local. They are – in times like these – essential. And we are proud to help.

--------------------

In other news.

We are thrilled (and not slightly shocked) to say that Saturday afternoon session has now SOLD OUT. And Friday evening is soon to follow.

If you want to come, please don’t wait. Grab your tickets here. We’d hate for you to miss this.

--------------------

Next. Another collab announcement (as of today) I can say that the mighty Neptune Brewery of Maghull have arranged to collab with Sean Ayling of Tom’s Tap & Brewhouse! Sean left Pig & Porter this year and purchased the brewery and taproom of Offbeat in Crewe. And Les & the team at Neptune have made some of the best beers I’ve had in the last couple of years.

I can’t wait.

--------------------

AND…….YAY! WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A GIN BAR!

Berries, Beans & Beer is – quite simply – one of the unmissable drinks events of the year. Michelle Shipman (formerly of Offbeat Brewery – Now a bit of a drinks maven and Event Planner at MichelleShipman.org) has kindly offered to sponsor a gin bar and has donated the bulk of the gins!

We tried to DO gin last year. And I got so wrapped up in the flow of #ISBF4 that I completely forgot the 5 bottles I had bought and were sat in the office! By the time we realised, it was a valiant effort, but…..

Not this year though. The gin will be Northern. Local. Because localism matters. And we have some simply exceptional gins here.

Thank you Michelle. Thank you Berries, Beans & Beer. And MichelleShipman.org

That’s all for now.

Be kind to one another.

Jim

Time To Reveal

Hello.

Prior to 2014, Salford hadn’t had a beer festival in decades. For the next four years, from incredibly humble beginnings, in an incredibly humble location, we put one on. I had been told that it couldn’t be done. That the venue was “a bit difficult to get to” (a comment which still makes me seethe). But we did it. Something that myself and Gerry are incredibly proud of.

The reason for that first event was the basis for the first four. To keep open that incredibly humble location. St Sebastian’s Community Centre. Gerry asked me would I do it. I said “Yes”. And it was the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever said. I knew nothing. Still don’t. But what happened next simply stunned me. The sheer VOLUME of goodwill from people i'd never met. Offers flooded in to help with design, beer, logistics, volunteering.... All of these people I now count as friends. Good friends. Real friends.

Friends I would – in all likelihood never have otherwise met.

Other than raising almost £30k for good causes, THAT'S the thing that makes me feel MOST warm inside, the number of friendships that started at St Sebastian’s. That old saying made truth. “A stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet”.

The ethos of this event has never changed either. It is really quite simple. For people to drink great beer. In comfort. In pleasant surroundings. That has never changed. And never will.

And here’s something else that hasn’t changed and – whilst I organise this event – never will, is that this event, The Independent Salford Beer Festival, will ALWAYS be not for profit. It will always donate the profits to a good cause or charity. A number of people have asked me about this very subject. (Almost as if leaving St Sebastians altered this) This was an event set up to raise money to help others. It can’t be anything else. It WON'T be anything else.

Yes. We’ve moved. To the simply beautiful Hemsley House.

I can write paragraphs about what I think of the building. You’ll not truly understand until you walk through that front door.

And anyway, apparently, “a picture paints a thousand words.... “

I’ve fallen in love with the place. And – IF all goes well this year – this could well become our new “home”. So yes, I’m thinking ahead. Beyond 1st December 2018. (Breaking news etc.....)

As always, each year, this event takes place only by the skin of its teeth. I’m a glass half empty type. Whatever can go wrong, etc. And this could all go to ratshit at anytime. It wouldn’t be ISBF otherwise.

But let’s be positive eh?

So. In just under 3 months, we open the front doors at Hemsley House at 6pm. What can you expect? Well. Some things the same, some things changed. The venue obviously. That’s a stunningly attractive given. But last year there was a moment where I thought “This is it. This is always what I wanted this event to be".

I can identify that moment. It was seeing Sean Ayling with his camera phone, videoing George Fell playing guitar. That man can play. So, I’m absolutely thrilled to say George will be performing again on the Saturday evening. I was shaking when I was told that. Honestly shaking.

We’ll also have live music on the Friday evening too, but I’m awaiting confirmation on that artist.

Mike will be back with his “Rebellious Jukebox”. I could have stayed in the keg room all event last year and just wallowed in sound. I love music more than beer. And Mike has had better taste than me for the *coughs* (insert number) of years I’ve known him. Why change a winning formula eh?

I can also say now, that we have a Charity that will receive ALL the profits from #ISBF5. We're proud to announce that that Charity is Start in Salford. (More to follow in a future webpost) They do brilliant work. And - importantly - they're local. And that matters to us.

I’ve lined up up presentations from two new breweries (one for the Friday evening, one for Saturday lunch). Breweries that the vast majority of you won’t know. One of which hasn’t put grain to water yet. But they want to come talk to you. Tell you about themselves and their plans. One from Lancashire, one from Yorkshire. Balance isn’t a dirty word here.

We’ve also got some beer coming.

The day I poured away (in year 2) a phenomenal amount of stunning beer, I knew. This event needed new beer. New beer to Manchester. We did precisely that in year 3. And we almost sold every drop. Someone I respect told me I couldn’t do that again. So I did. (I'm a contrarian) In year 4. And the vast increase in the amount of keg was matched by a thirst for it. You have to listen. You have to analyse the raw data. And understand.

So I did. 

I’ve tried. Hell have I tried. I didn’t think that I could outdo year 4. So...... Below is a list of the breweries you can expect at Hemsley House on 29th November.

I hope you like it.

I’ve stated – rather rashly – that there should be at least 5 breweries you won’t have tried on draught before. I’d like to think there’ll be more. Have a look below.

Cask :

Abbeydale
Bad Seed
Beatnikz Republic
Beer Nouveau
Black Jack
Blue Bee
Brass Castle
Brew York
Brewsmith
Cheshire Brewhouse
Five Towns x 2 (3 x Beer of the Event Winner!)
Five Towns x Rivington
Neptune
North Riding
Pictish
Pomona Island
Rammy Craft
Redwillow
Revolutions
SALT Brewing
Squawk
Surprise! (All I will say here is, It’s not from the North of England!)
Thirst Class
Tigertops
Torrside x Runaway
Turning Point
Vocation
Wigan Brewhouse
Wilde Child
Wishbone

#EvilKegFilth :

Almasty
Beer Ink 
Bexar County 
Big Fish Brew Co
Black Iris
Black Lodge
Bone Machine
Brew By Numbers
Buxton

Chain House Brew Co
Cloudwater
Dead End Brew Machine
Elusive (1 x Beer of the Event Winner!)
Eyes Brewing
Fierce
Five Points
Hawkshead
Kernel
Korupted Brew Co
Left Handed Giant
Little Earth
Loka Polly
Lost & Grounded
Macc Brew Co
Magic Rock
Mallinsons
Marble
Mills Brewing
Mourne
Northern Alchemy
Northern Monk
Odyssey
Pilot
Rivington
Runaway
Shindigger

Six Degrees North
Sixth Day Brewing
Thornbridge
Tom's Tap & Brewhouse
Torrside
Track
Twisted Barrel
Verdant
Vibrant Forest
Wander Beyond
Watts & Co
Weird Beard
Wild Weather
Wilderness
Wylam
Bexar County x Offbeat
Thirst Class x Tickety Brew
Elusive x North Riding
Brewsmith x Rammy Craft

More TBC.

A bit of a change, eh? That's 37 breweries that weren't with us last year. With more to come.

The list isn’t complete yet. I was hoping it would be, but there'll be more. Breweries may drop out (I truly hope not), breweries/collabs may be added. And you’ll know additions when I do. Other than that "Surprise" cask, from hereon in, no more secrets.

We are immensely flattered that ALL of these fabulous breweries have seen fit to supply a beer. A BEER NEW TO MANCHESTER. That's not an easy thing to commit to for many of these breweries. So we are truly humbled that they have agreed to do this for us. We thank all of them

I’ve met a number of people who seem to think that – following how good last year was (and the change of venue) – that the tickets won’t last long at all. What I DO know, is that tickets ARE limited. And that we have people from Aberdeen to Brighton, Belfast to Suffolk telling me that they're coming along. Many of whom have never been before. They've heard from others. About this little beer celebration in an unheralded city in the shadow of a beer magnet of a big brother.

But this is a city on the up. Regenerating. Building. And over 5 years, WE'VE built something WE'RE rather proud of. A labour of love.

So. All that’s left for me to say is “Fancy coming to play”?

Tickets are available NOW. Via this link. There are also - by "popular demand" - a VERY limited number of "Weekend tickets" available. For all 5 sessions. 

Before I go, ENORMOUS thanks to the following. Without whom we'd be up a certain creek without that famous paddle.

Andy Heggs- Design genius and best kind of egg. Without whom.....

Rob Hamilton & Team Black Jack - without whom......this event wouldn't be so "easy".

Malcolm Bastow of Five Towns Brewery. My Yorkshire rock. 3 times winner of Beer of this Festival. And a true "love".

Team Drumbeat - For generously sponsoring our webby stuff.

Dave & Jen at The Northern Type Beer Shop & Tap Room- For generously sponsoring our lovely glassware

Phil & Rachel at Otters Tears Beer Co - For generously agreeing to sponsor our programme

Paul & Cheryl at Pictish Brewing - Generously sponsoring the prettiest of beer event wallpaper

And all of the (former) PPE - they know - Without whom I'd have lost my marbles.

Drink Responsibly.

Back soon. Be kind to one another,

Jim x

Moving On Up

Keeping secrets is very, very hard. Especially when those secrets are beer related. But I can keep secrets AND tease. I'm quite good at that (or so I'm told - by those wanting to know what I'm up to). But it's all good. I promise. And as anybody who has been here before knows, I keep my promises.

Leaving St Sebastian's is (I now realise) a game changer. Because, at St Sebastian's, a lot of the essential (yet unseen) stuff was done for me by Gerry Stone, the heart, the soul, the reason why this event exists. The Jiminy Cricket to my Pinocchio. H&S Assessments, Insurance, all the "boring" stuff. ALL dealt with. By Gerry. But we're no longer at St Sebastian's, so all of that boring "hidden" stuff takes time. But we're getting there.

But like I said, that's the boring stuff. You don't want to know about that! What you want to know is BEER. And what you can see and all the things that directly impact on YOU. And rightly so.

So. Here we go with some information leakage. This year, in an effort to handle as little cash as possible (don't fret, you could still use cash at the venue if you like!) we've decided to do a little bundling of stuff, which means that the upfront cost of the ticket will increase. so, the ticket price for each session will be the same. £19.80 per ticket. We will also - for the first time - be able to take card payments for tokens/T-Shirts etc. Again, in an effort to minimise cash handling. For that £19.80, you get your entry, your glass (refundable should you wish), your programme & your first £10 of beer tokens.

It is a change. And I hope it doesn't put some off. We've kept it simple for four years, but we've kind of been forced to change things as we no longer control/possess the venue and have therefore lost certain facilities that we had.

That's one important bit done. The next? Beer

I've been quite overcome (and a little emotional) about the responses from the breweries that I've approached. ALL those that have responded have been positive, which kind of surprised me. There are a multitude of changes on the beer front, there had to be. Especially when it came to cask. 

Cask conditioned beer is where my heart lies. Northern cask conditioned beer. With a single notable exception this year (no, I'm NOT revealing that!), the cask line up will remain Northern in focus. However, we disposed (poured away) of 25% of the cask line up last year, whereas the keg virtually sold out. Which leads to the obvious conclusion.

That being? Less cask, more #EvilKegFilth. I mean, I COULD run a beer festival just for ME. THAT would be cask. And dark. But who wants that? Judging by the amount of dark cask that gets poured away, not that many of you.

Last year, there were 40 cask lines and 34 keg. This year (subject to a potential slight variation) there will be 34 cask lines and approximately 55 keg. From 74 to almost 90 lines. We've certainly grown from 36 in Year 1!

Some breweries have dropped off the list, many more have joined it. That is no judgement on the beer. But decisions have to be made. And they are mine to make. Aim those brickbats in my direction.

My aim with this is to raise money for a worthwhile charity, this ISN'T for profit. I, Jim, make ZERO out of this. ALL profits have always gone to a good cause.

On the subject of the Charity, I think that we have decided one, but I'll leave that until 2nd September to announce. I've got meetings on that yet. But, it IS local. And a bloody good cause. I loved the fact that we helped St Sebastian's to keep on keeping on. But we have moved on.

I'm really unsure as to ancillary events. If something interesting springs to mind, I'll have a think. But this event has - for me - always been about the people. Relaxation. Comfort. And bloody fabulous beer.

I'm not saying we'll get everything right. We never do. I'm never totally happy. But it won't be for the want of trying. This could - of course - all go to rats**t at any moment. This event has teetered each and every year. Running smoothly is anathema. But I (Jim) am truly excited at the possibilities for this event. If not this year, then in future iterations. I'd LOVE Hemsley House to be our home - you'll get why when you come - as would the management of Hemsley House themselves.

What I promise is this. Almost 90 beers that you will not have drunk in the Manchester area. Many brewed exclusively for - or with - us. I stand by the statement that there should be at least 5 breweries that you won't have tried on draught. And - as I have said (and proven) on a number of occasions - I keep my promises.

This gets posted at 8pm. Exactly 4 weeks to the minute that tickets go on sale. I say this sincerely. And without any attempt at hype. If you want to come to Hemsley House between 29th November to 1st December, don't hold off. I'd hate you to miss out.

And remember, this stuff is meant to be fun

Be kind to one another.

Jim x

Fancy Some Fun?

Hello. And welcome back!

Things are starting to move on a little bit with #ISBF5 and it's almost time to share plans with you!

But not quite. I wouldn't be the tease I am if I did that now, would I?

The last month or so have been spent variously in plotting and panic modes.

Plotting? Well. Beer, obviously. Contacting breweries who are new to us and dipping our toes in the water with collaboration ideas - one was put to me this very afternoon!

Panic? Because a little over two weeks ago I thought I was going to be writing a post scrapping the whole thing! Fortunately - at this moment - that's behind us and we look forward through beer goggles, trying to make this beer celebration as good as it can be.

We've also started strutting around beery events around the UK wearing the prettiest beer event t-shirt known to humankind. OK, to me at any rate.

So. What's the point of this interminable waffle?

Well.

Like last year, we'd like to have some fun with a few of you. A little launch bash as it were.

The plan is this. On Sunday 2nd September, from approximately 6pm, we “take over” the Sex Dungeon (aka The Brink) for a few hours. For some beery shenanigans. Which will (almost certainly) feature the following…

• A one-off collaboration beer, brewed especially for the occasion!

• Absolute first chance to buy tickets for #ISBF5!!

• Chance to buy a special one-off - only available at the launch - T-shirt (it is a bit special….)!!!

• Chance to hear me waffle about the breweries coming to Hemsley House!!!!

So. Whaddya say? Fancy it? A few hours in the Dungeon? Having a giggle? Getting the first intelligence about what's going to happen at #ISBF5?

If you do, tickets are seriously limited - after all, The Brink IS a Micro Pub - and are FREE!

Click on the link here.

See you on 2nd September!

Jim x

N.B. These tickets are severely limited. So, if you grab some, then find you can't come, please let me know via Twitter DM and I'll re-circulate.

Say HELLO to the Website!

Say HELLO to the new website!

It seems like each year I say “This is the last ISBF” And each year nobody would believe me. They knew I'd want to do it again. And they were right.

Every time.

Until this year. This year I really thought the game was up for The Independent Salford Beer Festival. I really didn't think I'd want to do this away from St Sebastian’s.

St Sebastian’s Community Centre was the reason that this event was formed. The reason it carried on. ISBF helped to sustain the Community Centre, as a major funding input. But once Gerry lost her job…… I was a bit lost.

That's why we've had no website. Because I truly thought we didn't have an event!

I didn't want to let the site go. I loved that site. Darren Turpin has a place in my ticker for that beautiful site. And for his boundless patience! I loved using it. It was a doddle. And I thank Darren hugely for it.

But now, we have to move on. And thanks to Drumbeat Creative (Generous sponsors) and the design legend that is Mr Andy Heggs, we have the new salfordbeerfest.com!

But this last month hasn't just been about design. There has been the start of the beer planning, contacting the best new breweries and getting some VERY interesting collaborations for your pleasure

I've also made a move to (for one time only) break my “Northern Only” rule on cask. Some opportunities come along that you simply have to grab. All shall be revealed on 2nd September at the ticket launch bash at The Brink.

And I've organised a VERY special collab for that event too……

For now, luxuriate in the website. From now, all ISBF content will be here.

Almost 7 months to go. And I'm already getting nervous!

Back soon.

Jim

The Best Things Take Time

The early days of "planning" this bash are some of the most exciting.

These are the days when you have all sorts of wild ideas and have to calm yourself down and think "It's only beer" (© Chris)

I seem to fall into the same trap every year. And front load. With the strongest beers. And yes, I've done it again. I already know the first beer. And it's very special.

And that's the problem with what we achieved last year. To better it will be very difficult. But you can only try.

And we certainly started that. With the new venue and location....

When I posted that we were going to do this again, the response was somewhat intense. And rather surprising.

I know that the beer was good last year, that's my job, getting the best breweries that I can to get you something you haven't had before in this great city of beer that is Manchester.

And that is just one of the challenges for #ISBF5.

Another is to maintain the variety on both cask & keg whilst minimising waste. Whilst the keg virtually all got drunk, there was a lot of wastage on cask.

About 25%.

Whilst this is an event where all the profits go to charity, I want to maximise those profits.

We have a plethora of great brewers of cask conditioned beer in the North. And only a limited number of spaces in the racking. There will be changes in the line up, as in every year, to keep things exciting...

So, if the numbers of attendees stay roughly the same, that is likely to mean that there will have to be slightly less cask beer in volume. And, whilst I (Jim) adore cask conditioned beer, to waste 25% volume is unsustainable.

What ticketing allows me to do is analyse attendance patterns. And - consistently over the 4 previous years - there has been a non-attendance rate of about 20%. The new venue will impact on that, being more easily accessible from all points - and certainly via train.

As much as I loved St Sebastian’s, for a small event like this, location is key. And - however small the effort - St Sebastian’s did require some planning to get to.

A potential additional solution comes with ticketing, in particular, pricing.

This year, tickets are likely to come bundled with beer tokens as a package. The actual price won't change much, but it will mean less cash handling which will be further augmented by the ability to take payment by card. This should also have the side effect of increasing actual attendance compared to ticket sales.

For those who prefer to pay by cash, the nearest cash machine is just a few minutes walk. (Another benefit of the new location)

Invites will be going out to breweries in the next few weeks and I can for certain say that some breweries have already agreed to collaborate together. I'm already getting giddy at the thought!

I've also started to explore a very interesting possibility that - if it comes off - will leave you wondering "How did you do THAT?" (I like to keep things interesting for myself)

Tickets will go on sale on Sunday 2nd September and we will - as in the last two years - have a launch "party" at The Dungeon (aka The Brink) where there will be some exceptional (and especially brewed) beer, with the first chance to buy tickets.

On that subject. What has been truly amazing over the last 4 years has been the loyalty and the efforts some have gone to to attend.

To get people coming ESPECIALLY for this from Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Coventry, Northen Ireland - even Iraq, is humbling.

Since I announced we were doing it again however, the interest (and determination to attend) from people far and wide who've never been before, simply amazed me.

Even with the new venue - with the potential for increased capacity - we're not going to get much "bigger". We might have 15% more availability, but they won't last long.

And I still want this bash to be relaxed, comfy, friendly. Which is why we won't grow much more.

So remember that date. 2nd September. 20:00

Also, courtesy of the lovable & extremely talented Mr Heggs and Drumbeat, we'll have our redesigned website up and running shortly - we gave up on the pretty original (genuinely) because we thought we wouldn't do #ISBF5.

That will enable you to see updates as they come in, communicate with us directly and serve as the platform from which volunteers and potential sponsors can get in touch.

You can NEVER have too many beer sponsors (obviously you can, but, you know....)

And also.....on the subject of sponsors...........

I can announce that we have a new glassware sponsor in those lovely people at The Northern Type!

So. In short.
New venue.
New beers
More Collaborations
Tickets on sale 2nd September at 20:00
Don't. Miss. Out.

It may be "Only beer". But it will be exceptional beer. I promise you.

And - as I've always said - I keep my promises.

The “Future”...

It started off so simply.

A little beer festival. To raise money for a small Community Centre in the heart of Salford. A place with a multiplicity of pulls on the strings of my heart.

I didn't know what I'd gotten myself into, didn't realise that - in the nicest of ways - it would change my life. But it has. Oh how it has.

I've met people from all over these islands, formed friendships I could never have imagined - as have many of the people who have helped us through the last 4 years. They freely acknowledge the fact that these friends met in a little draughty Community Centre. Over a beer. A very good beer.

As hard work as this has been sometimes, this little friendly celebration of beer has given me SO much more in return. Things that I could never talk about in person.

But this isn't about me.

From relatively humble beginnings, this celebration of beer has changed. And - to me - it IS a celebration. In each year, we learned. Incrementally.

In year one and two, this was an event solely focused on Northern Beer.

Northern cask conditioned beer.

It's my Mastermind "Specialised Subject". I still fervently believe that the North of England - generally speaking - does this better than anywhere else.

And I've always tried to get the best beer I could.

Year 3 required a step change. #EvilKegFilth. And we haven't looked back.

Years 1 to 3 (especially year 3 - cathartic though it was) were a blur. I didn't enjoy those myself. The stress overrode everything else.

Year 4, last year, was different. I could finally appreciate what we had built. We had a simply astonishing beer line up from across the country. We had live music which had people reaching for their phones to video.

The package was - for me - complete. Food, music, people, beer. I didn't think we could improve on that at St Sebastian’s.

We CAN'T improve on that at St Sebastian’s.

With the exception of Year 3, when I did it for me (for reasons explained here) this Celebration was always run for Gerry Stone. Simply the loveliest most caring friend anyone could have.

Until last Friday, Gerry ran the Community Centre. Over the last 4 years, we raised almost £30k at this event. The vast majority of which went towards the upkeep of the Center, enabling it to provide a venue and vital services to the local community.

But - for reasons I won't go into - Gerry has left the Centre.

And - as I always said - if she wasn't there, I wouldn't do ISBF.

Obviously I was trying to fool myself.

So. "Where are you going with this?" is the question. Well.....

I couldn't let it go, not without a fight. I just couldn't. I need my annual adrenaline fix.

Gerry is - putting it mildly - fantastically well connected in the City of Salford, and knew my thoughts. She put me in contact with the Mayor's office. Many of you won't know, but the Mayor (Paul Dannatt) came to #ISBF4 and seemed to enjoy himself. He "got" what we were doing.

Following initial contact, where I gave my thoughts as to the basic requirements, (location - central, capacity etc) things moved quickly. I received an email a few days later from one of those venues and - following a brief exchange of messages - we arranged to meet Stan (no, assuredly not THAT Stanley!) at the venue.

I don't mind saying that my jaw dropped.

We chatted. Talked about what we'd done so far. The fact that we - myself & Gerry - would like to keep going. Keep it in Salford.

Stan, the Chairman of the building, seemed keen - again, things were racing ahead - and we agreed on virtually everything. Then started talking dates.......

I'd set myself a deadline - stupidly restrictive - of until the end of April. If we couldn't find somewhere in that time, there'd be no #ISBF5.

It took about an hour.

The new venue is Hemsley House, Salford's Freemason Hall.

I always bristled when people said that St Sebastian’s was a bit awkward to get to.

Well, this venue is approximately 4 minutes on foot from Salford Crescent train station. It's on a major bus route.

In short, it's bloody easy to get to. So, over to Mr Heggs and HIS "specialist subject"...... Stunning design.

The date had to move to get the building. And once we'd seen it, we didn't want to lose it.

In your diaries yet?

There are lots of wrinkles that need ironing. This could still fall around our ears. There'll be lots of changes. But some things won't.

I'll do my damnedest to get you the best, most exceptional beer list. From near and far. If you came last year, you know that won't be easy.

We'll do our utmost to keep that friendly feeling, relaxed, comfortable, easy. After all, this is about enjoyment. Not fireworks.

ALL profits will go to charity.

We're going to try and give it a go. Who's in?