News
#ISBFX - Time to Party (and other news)
Like the beautiful new logo? Hit me right in the tear ducts when I first saw it. Yet again, Andy hits all the right notes….
Here in the #ISBFBatcave, July means we're moving swiftly towards launching tickets. And plans taking shape. But no planning could have prepared us for what landed just over a month ago.
We've only gone and found ourselves in a flipping book!
I recall bumping into Laura whilst sat outside a brewtap during Block Party last year. She mentioned that she was drafting a book about Beer Festivals and would like a chat.
To be honest, it was lovely to bump into her, but I thought nothing more of it.
Until just over a month ago.
Over 3 pages (and some lovely words from Daisy Turnell - Tipple Marketing & Mark Welsby - Runaway Brewery) she's pretty much nailed what our little event is about…. To quote Daisy
“ISBF is one of those places where you go in as a customer and leave as a friend… “
and Mark….
“… for me, it's the combination of its DIY ethos, carefully considered curation, inclusivity and strong sense of community which sets it apart…..
... the way (they) manage to achieve all of those things, in one place, over one glorious weekend once a year, means it's a rare thing - a beer festival with real soul!”
Coming from people of integrity, for whom we have the utmost respect, those pages knocked me sideways.
Leaving aside the incredibly flattering 3 pages, Laura has documented the evolution of Beer Festivals over half a century, from the first multi-day event at Cambridge in 1974, to the likes of our homegrown thng.
It's an excellent read. Go check for yourselves…. Click here…
That was a most pleasant surprise. What was also a pleasant surprise - and a most welcome one - was to welcome Tipple Marketing into the #ISBFFamily.
Talking to Amelie and Daisy made me believe that I could let go of - outside Collab Brewdays - what became one the most intense and stressful roles. Social Media & publicity.
It's an absolute pleasure to hand them over to some very talented people who (unlike me!) most certainly know what they're doing. Learning to let go is a difficult thing for me, this is my baby. But they have made it so very easy.
They’re so welcome. And I (Jim) am so grateful!
I've been fairly quiet in the #ISBFBatcave whilst I adjusted to a new work pattern (and a new entry to our - personal - family) but there has been quite a bit of planning in the background.
Lots of collab brewdays already organised - including some personal (Jim) bucket list ticks - and several still having dates arranged. Can't WAIT to share the details!
Whilst I'm here, we still have a limited no of beer/cider Sponsorship opportunities (6) left.
Sponsorship costs £90. For which, each sponsorship attracts 2 tickets, £10 tokens with each ticket, glassware, programme and the immense gratitude of both the #ISBFFamily a and our partner charity, Start Inspiring Minds.
If you'd like to join us, click this link.
We'd love to hear from you.
Finally, we have a tradition at ISBF.
Every August, since 2016, we have a ticket launch party. And this is a tradition worth maintaining.
So. On Sunday 10th August, we're having a get together at the beautiful Marble Arch.
Tickets are FOC. And exceptionally limited.
By joining us, you get first knowledge of the line up on the bars, the GUARANTEED chance to grab tickets to the sessions of your choice AND (most importantly) you get to meet up with the friendliest group of people - and me :-)
It's just like a gathering of friends you know and some that you may not have yet met.
(There might even be the chance to grab a t-shirt unique to this launch bash! If I pull my finger out….)
Fancy joining us? Click this link….
At #ISBFX, it’s time to get busy. More news soon, including Collabs, side events and SO MUCH MORE!
Back Soon.
Be Kind To One Another.
Jim x
#ISBF10 - Sponsorship : Come Join Us
(pic : courtesy Daisy T)
The Independent Salford Beer Festival was created in 2014 with one aim. To support a “Good Cause”.
In 2014, I was asked to organise a Beer Festival to raise money to help St Sebastian's Community Centre. Seeing at first hand the great work that Gerry Stone and everyone else involved did in (and for) the local community, it was an easy thing to pour heart and soul into.
Many others did the same, coming from all over the country to volunteer. Coming from all 4 corners of the UK to sample delicious beers.
To this day, they still do.
When Gerry lost her job at the Community Centre, for a while I gave up. But - through Gerry's impeccable local connections - I found that I couldn't... Finding a more than worthy cause (Start Inspiring Minds) to support made that decision easier.
This event is decidedly Not For Profit. Always has been. Always will be.
A sizeable percentage of the money raised comes via Sponsorship. Last year, effectively, the money raised through sponsorship was the equivalent of 61% of the £14,250 handed to START a few weeks after the event.
Sponsorship matters. Hugely.
(pic : courtesy Daisy T)
We have a small number of opportunities to sponsor a beer left at #ISBF10.
The cost of Sponsoring a beer remains the same as at #ISBF9. £90.
What does Sponsorship bring to the Sponsor?
2 tickets to the session of their choice.
Each ticket comes with £10 of Beer Tokens. A Glass. And a programme.
(pic : courtesy Daisy T)
Each sponsor gets the chance to sponsor the beer/brewery of their choice (allocated in order of payment). Their name of choice against that beer at Point of Sale. Their name against that beer in the Programme.
And the heartfelt thanks of all involved at #ISBF10 and at Start Inspiring Minds.
Fancy getting involved?
Click this link.
Come and join us at the friendliest of Beer Events. You won't regret it.
Back soon.
Be kind to one another.
Jim
ISBF - The Code
(A copy & paste of a previous post - back from September '22)
I (Jim) am a simple soul. All my beer friends would agree - but they would lend weight to some of those words!
The event was founded upon certain simple principles around beer events. Comfort. Choice. Relaxation. All of the things that I love about a beer event.
Yes. I founded a beer event based on what I like. Bite me.
Simplicity, I have found throughout the years, leads to reduced stress. As someone who has had his MH struggles over the years, this matters. It's one of the reasons why we support a local Mental Health charity. This also matters. Hugely so.
Over 8 years, this event has - by accident or otherwise - become somewhere where people meet like minded people. Sometimes for the first time. And kept those relationships going. Sometimes, they meet up annually. At a little self-effacing beer event.
And that brings a warm glow.
Yes. The beer list can be a little “out there”. And I'm proud of that beer list. Proud that breweries pull out stops. Just for this little event. But that is not the point.
The lovely thing about this “thing” of ours (“Cosa Nostra” if you will) is the feel. The atmosphere. That's the main thing for me. Yes, the beers are great and everything, but it's the feeling that keeps people coming back.
Takes me back to Year 5. The first at Hemsley House. When Stan Jackson (who manages the building) popped in during the Saturday lunch session. The busiest. And looked into the main room. The look on his face was a picture. A smile like a Cheshire Cat. In that moment, he “got” ISBF. What it is. That feeling.
I was chatting on SM with a lovely person who asked me if the event had a Code of Conduct. My head went into a spin. Something else to do. Another lego brick to place. And then something hit me. The event already has one.
“Don't Be A Dick”
Simplicity again.
It's about treating people with respect. Simple innit?
In its essence, it reflects my fundamental intolerance of intolerance.
So. Keeping things simple. If you come to Hemsley House, play nice. We welcome all. By all means, have fun. We're not Joy Sponges. But again…
“Don't Be A Dick”
Because if you are, you're not welcome.
Jim x
#ISBF9 - It’s A People Thing
“We all wanna know what nobody knows,
What the nights of wine and roses hold,
For the wine and roses of our souls
So we down our drinks in a funnel of friends
And we burn our blends right down to the end, we don't cry for those nights to arrive
WE YELL LIKE HELL TO THE HEAVENS”
“Nights of Wine & Roses” - Japandroids
WELL! That weekend was quite the surprise, whilst also being - in large part - just the usual ISBF. Quite the contradiction?
What you - the guest - see is almost the diametric opposite of EVERYTHING that happens before the doors open. The pure chaos. Things coming together almost at the the very last minute…..
But enough of that. That's the boring stuff…..
It's difficult, truly difficult, to put into words what ISBF is. What it means. To me (Jim), to the ISBF Family…..
But - and this is no exaggeration - I lost count of the number of times that I was approached by people (some I know well, others not), saying truly lovely things about the event.
The truly heartening things : about how friendly everyone was, how welcoming…comments about Mike and the magnificent Rebellious Jukebox, The “feels”.
The love for the beautiful Hemsley House - we're so lucky to be able to call this venue “home”.
It’s difficult to get a handle on how the event is going at the time, but people kept saying nice things. Yet it’s only after the event that you can put all of the pieces together, discard the “recency bias” and get a true feel for how things really went.
The only word that springs to mind is, WOW.
I know the beer line up was good. That bit’s actually quite easy. It's easy, because over 13 years of blogging - and 10 years of this event - you form a clear understanding as to who makes the good stuff. And they SO do. This year (as I was told, repeatedly) more so than ever.
But the “feels” are what matter. The people matter. And - over the last 10 years - I've been so lucky to meet the most lovely humans who turn up every year. Lovely humans that “get” what this, our thing (Cosa Nostra) IS. And come back each and every year to make this special.
They get why we do this. They're the heart and soul of this event.
They're the #ISBFFamily. And we love them dearly. Without them, this wouldn't be what it is. They’re the friends that create “the feels”.
They are
Rob Shorten
Alison Boast
Mark Boast
John O'Donnell
Caz O'Donnell
Nick Clarke
Richard Hargreaves
Ann Packwood
Andy Packwood
Bevis Maun
Tina Ambury
Jeff Nixon
Maxine Silcock
Mark Reeves
Lesley Dunkley
Steve Hewitt
Linda Baxter
Chris Airey
Jo Dewsnip…
Mike Dewsnip
Loz Fernandez-Moreno
Gavin McCloskey-Lambert
Chelsea McCloskey-Lambert
Christine (aka The Boss)
Gerry Stone
Paul Shaw
Paige & Simon (Thank you so much for giving up your time to be First Aiders! Stars!)
Take a Bow. Thank you. All of you. Without you, this could never be what it is.
To the loveliest sponsors. Individuals, small businesses, bars. Again, these people GET WHAT WE ARE ABOUT.
We were fully sponsored. All beers. Ciders. Posters. Programme. Glassware.
All of it. Thank you all. Take your flowers. Because what you will see below - and today's 3pm Zoom call - doesn't happen without YOUR generosity, both of spirit and finance.
Alison & Mark Boast
Alun Williams
Andy Parker
Ann & Andy Packwood
Beerhouses
Bob Dunbar
Bob Longworth
Bob Preece
Brewery Jewellery
Brian Dickson
Chris Airey
Chris Chatwin
Chris Dixon
Colin & Sue Murphy
CSK Building Services
Daisy Turnell
Darren Berry
David & Emma Marchment
Des Fisher
Eliot Jones & Owen Gallagher
Gavin & Chelsea McCloskey
Glenn Johnson
Grant Maconachie
Heaton Hops
House of Hops
Howard Crook
Iain Peacock
Ian Sutton
James Mawson
Jeff Nixon & Maxine Silcock
Jo & Mike Dewsnip
Jo & Nick Payne
Jo Whalley (Wigan Central)
Jock Joyce
John & Caroline O'Donnell
John Broadhead
John Clarke
John Jackson
John Tweedie
Katie Sutton
Kev Fenton (Joule Bar)
Marc Prill
Maree Bruce
Mark Hush
Mark Pursey
Martin Gunning
Mary & John Durkan
Mick Potts (Free Trade Inn)
Mike & Hannah Bell
Mike Jones
Mike Pevitt
Nick Clarke
Nick Moss
Old School Taphouse (Clowne, Derbyshire)
Paul Birkett
Paul Delaney
Paul Flint
Paul Harland
Paul Spencer
Paul Tomlinson
Pellicle Magazine
Pete Ryan
Peter Bull
Phil Greenwood
Phil Kyte & Kate H
Podiatry Clinics Yorkshire
Rebecca Nicholl & Martin Clarke
Reich Insurance Brokers
Rich Jepson
Richard Hargreaves
Rob Shorten
Roy & Joanne Bennett
Sarah Millington
Simon & Sarah Gare
Simon Turner
Steve Hewitt
Stuart Neilson
The Molly House
The Petersgate Tap
Tom Stapley (People Make Beer)
“We dream but now we know….” “Fire’s Highway” - Japandroids
And to YOU. The paying guests.
WOW.
You were lovely. Friendly, smiling, fun (apart from the heinous Saturday “Sing-a-longa-Jim” to that AWFUL song! 😂), just the best.
There's a reason we tell security that this will be their easiest gig.
YOU.
Thank you SO MUCH. YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE. As you will see later.
Thank you to George Fell for his beautiful playing. We wouldn't be without him.
Thank you to the Heritage Double Act that was Al Wall (Heritage Brewing) & Henry Kirk (Sunken Knave) for the fabulously entertaining talk on Heritage Brewing. They put on a show. And know their stuff.
The feedback was tremendous - as were the beers - I just wish I could have stayed for all of it!
Thank you also to Nick Smith (Steam Machine) & Sean Ayling (Tom's Tap & Brewhouse) for the fabulous tasting and discussion on Beer & Community.
2 exemplars of how to centre a business around people. Open. Inclusive. Welcoming. And again, Great Beers!
2 lovely humans with 2 lovely businesses. Go see them.
Special Hugs to the following :
Andy - For the beautiful designs. For the lovely work on the programme. For answering the phone EVERY DAMN TIME SOMETHING CHANGED in that final fortnight. You were so patient. And kind. 😘
Rich Andrew and the entire team at Blackjack. The Jack Rose Again. Again, as I said - through the tears - last week, the last 10 years wouldn't have happened without you fabulous people. (Special thanks to Aaron for being calm, when my head was exploding!) Lovely humans all. 😘
Joe Ince and the team at Marble - For taking good care of the Casks. Thank you SO much.
Jock & Jaz - Without you two, getting to opening time would have been a humongous ball of stress. You were brilliant.
Chris & Tim - for telling me to Sod Off whilst you ran the bars (and thank you to Sepultura for selling out!).
Jo - For doing pretty much everything. 😘
Mike - Tunes. The amount of work you & Jo put in….) But more than that, you set the mood. (I'll never forgive you for Starship though 😘)
John & Caroline. Max & Jen. That bloody raffle effort was simply stunning. Watching John & Caz drain every last penny from pockets on the Saturday night was simply jaw dropping. 👏👏👏
Stan Jackson, Sue & Mark - For the beautiful venue, your patience and the tasty grub. Thank you so much.
Barry Shaw and the team at Beerhouses & the beautiful Stalybridge Buffet Bar for their generous glassware sponsorship. Thank you so much.
John Tweedie & Playhouse 2 for their generous programme sponsorship.
Clare Moore at Brewery Jewellery for both the fabulous jewellery and her generous sponsorship of the posters 💐
Sean & Jacqui Ayling for supplying the beautiful Ciders & Perries! Thank you so much!
Charlie Hooson-Sykes for being my Gin Muse. 🙏
So. To business.
The feedback on the beer list was overwhelming. The feeling from many who came - both drinkers and those from within the industry was that this was the best line up we'd ever had.
Who are WE to argue?
For the first time in YEARS, we had a clear 1. 2. 3. for Beer of the Festival!
3rd Place : Marble Brewery - Good Times Aged Stout
2nd Place : Lakes Brew Co - Broken Algorithms WC IPA
1st Place : Steam Machine Brew Co x Craft Beer Newcastle - Look Down, Look Down (Chocolate / Cherry Dubbel)
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
And now, to the serious stuff…. It’s 17:03 and I’m crying as I write this…..
At 3pm this afternoon, myself and Jock had a Zoom call with Michelle Dennett from Start Inspiring Minds. We chatted about how warmly the event was received by you, the guests. How relaxed, friendly and fun it was. YES, even I had some fun. But the truly awe inspiring stuff, is how generous you all were.
I’m quite sure that, when I say - just prior to the raffle on each session - how much impact YOU, the guests, have. The difference that YOU make to the lives of so many in this City of Salford. That you think it’s just words.
It isn’t.
Times are hard in the Charity sector, as they are in so many other areas of life. Fund raising for small charities, like START, is damn hard. They don’t have the wherewithal to employ people to fundraise (unlike larger charities), they rely on grants, donations and goodwill.
What YOU did, was enabled me to have the joyous task of transferring £14,250 into the accounts of START. Michelle’s reaction told me all you need to know. The sense of gratitude…..
That - by some distance - is the most we’ve raised at a single event in 10 years.
YOU did good. Thank you.
To finish, I suppose I must ask a question.
Shall we go again?
#ISBF10 : 6-8 November 2025
See you then?
Until next year….Be kind to one another.
Love from Jim & The Entire ISBF Family
#ISBF9 - A Family. Gathering.
“And if it's crowded, all the better
Because we know we're gonna be up late
But if you're worried about the weather
Then you picked the wrong place to stay
That's how it starts… ”
“All My Friends” LCD Soundsystem
As I have stated repeatedly, The Independent Salford Beer Festival is neither fancy nor flash, we make no grandiose claims for this event, it isn't “best” this, “greatest” that.
What it is, is something homegrown, of its place, something that has developed, over time, into something that people love.
Something simple. Tim was the first to refer to it as “Grassroots”. I like that.
The event exists for a single purpose. To raise money for a good cause. Something we believe in.
That “something” is Start Inspiring Minds.
A local charity that does amazing things in the field of mental health. Bringing local people back from a dark place.
This work matters. People matter.
And - more than beer - this event is about people.
People matter.
People like our fabulous sponsors. Until a late couple of additions, everything was sponsored.
No big headline sponsors. That's not us.
Just individuals and small businesses. Places that love this event for what it is. What it represents.
We thank them all.
People matter.
People like the ISBF Family. That lovely band of Sisters & Brothers that come together each year. To make this thing work.
Friends.
People Matter.
People don't come here for flashing lights, gimmicks, street food vendors as far as the eye can see.
That's not who we are.
Simple, restrained, quietly friendly and welcoming to all.
That's who we are.
This event has been built over the last 10 years (!) to be relaxed, comfy, spacious. Everything that we would want in an event.
Music?
We've got Jo & Mike and their Rebellious Jukebox. Requests from 6 on Thursday to 11 on Saturday. Great tunes.
Friday & Saturday Evenings we've got the fabulous George Fell and his mesmerising and beguiling guitar.
To hear is to believe.
Music matters.
Food - Provided in house. Tasty. Wholesome.
Bit like us really.
If everything turns up, you'll have a choice of 85 beers. 62 on keg. 23 on cask. 6 special Ciders and Perry on draught (a range of bottled Ciders too)
As diverse a selection of beer as we could make it.
Table Beers to Big Barley Wines. Through Mixed Fermentation beers, Stouts, Porters.
From straw pale, to darkest blackness.
It's here. For you to enjoy.
A small - but choice - selection of Gins.
A little Wine. Hell, I'll even make you a coffee or tea myself. If you ask nicely….
Want to see the Beer and Cider List? A Bunch of other stuff?
We've got - currently - some tickets left :
Thursday Evening - 3
Friday Evening - 3
Saturday Evening - 4
When they're gone, that’s it. They're gone.
Come and join us. We're friendly. We don't bite.
Look forward to seeing you.
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
#ISBF9 : Brewday 9 Pt 2 - It’s Just A Little Bit of History Repeating
“When will I be cured of this crippling fucking FOMO?”
Sociometer Blues – Arab Strap
Over to Tim….
Normally the little snippet of musical enlightenment has some sort of overarching significance to the writing that follows. That however isn’t really the case here, I just quite like the new album from seasoned Scottish realists Arab Strap, a wry and bare bones peek at life and relationships in an increasingly digital age.
Anyway that little ritual observed I find myself staring blankly at the first of several train departure boards at 6:30am; on a journey to somewhere very interesting to make something equally interesting with a couple of brewing types with very storied industry backgrounds. On weighing up the travel options to today’s mystery location the train was swiftly opted for despite driving being absolutely an option. The latter being less favourable owing to an unfortunate motorway tyre blow out over the weekend.
Transport negotiated I find myself with a brisk walk across a town that is synonymous with British brewing history, Burton-On-Trent. Amusingly this walk gave me plenty of time to gently tease Jim about today’s brewing destination. First thing you notice as you depart the station is just how much of the sky line is dominated by the brewing facilities of Burton Brewing/Molson Coors. Despite that dominance our destination for today was actually a little bit further down the road at Burton Bridge/Heritage Brewing. Upon arriving there is some brief confusion as to how to access the brewery, but nothing that a little gentle urban exploring couldn’t fix. Brewery located I am greeted by today’s hosts Head Brewer Al Wall and Brewery Manager Emma Cole, in conversation with Henry Kirk from Sunken Knave Brewing about plans for a celebration of Draught Burton Ale (DBA).
Now this being a working brewery, meant that I had missed mash in for today’s brew day by quite some considerable time (traversing the Midlands by train is far more complicated than it really needs to be). The upside to this however was it gave me an excellent opportunity to catch up with Al, explore the cavernous brewery site and get a proper introduction to Henry. The brewery itself whilst being modestly tucked away behind the Burton Bridge Inn spans quite a lot more space than might be first apparent. It’s this that is high on Al & Emma’s list of things to address, since they took over stewardship of the brewery earlier this year. Redevelopment of some of the outbuildings are planned along with improvements to the process flow of the brewery itself; to include an on-site lab, better and more efficient flow from brew house to fermentation and eventually commissioning a new brew house itself. It’s clear from those plans that Al and Emma are committed to preserving both Burton Bridge Brewery and the recently merged and relocated Heritage Brewing Company for another generation. A truly fitting tribute to the work of previous owners Bruce Wilkinson and the late Geoff Mumford.
Meanwhile back in the brewhouse, transfer was already well underway, and the brew team were readying the forklift to prepare the mash tun ready for digging out. Not wanting to get run over Al, Henry and I got to discussing today’s hop schedule. In keeping with the style of beer we are aiming to produce, Northdown and Savinjski Goldings were selected. Confusingly the latter of those two is actually a Fuggles cultivar but one with a surprising and huge hit of citrus and orange. To prevent being accused of slacking by Jim, we got to assisting digging out the mash. Henry readied the early hop addition into the now clean mash tun, which pulls double duty as the whirlpool/underback.
Those that have brewed at any scale or capacity will know that, famously, brewing is a job that involve an inordinate amount of cleaning in addition to quite a bit of waiting for processes to finish (in this case this was getting the transferred wort up to boil). So, then another one of those opportune times for Al to show us more of the brewery and its pub The Bridge Inn. The thing you are immediately struck by upon entering the pub was the vastness of it all; with its bar centrally positioned dividing the bar space into two distinct spaces. Lining the walls, a vast array of brewerania including but not limited to a pictogram Burton/Midlands brewing family tree, several nods to the former identity of The Bridge Inn (The Fox & Goose) whilst it was still in its pre Burton Bridge days. This truly is an incredibly worthwhile pub to visit, and one which I’ll very definitely be engineering a reason to pop over to again in the future.
Over the course of a couple of expertly conditioned pints (ably looked after by two very familiar publicans to me; Chris and Sharon Sherratt) and some suitably well thought through bites from the kitchen, we got to talking about Al & Emma’s brewing journey in recent years that went from Manchester, via Swansea to eventually Burton-On-Trent. A fantastic catch up, but we were there to do some work, so with transfer well underway it was time to borrow some wellies and get the hop back dug out. A task that Henry and I enthusiastically threw ourselves into in a sort of tag team style! Beer transferred, yeast pitched and brew-house cleaned down all before 3pm.
Brew-day done, we collectively retire to the lounge side of bar in the Bridge Inn to celebrate a successful day and to taste one or two more of the beers that we had been introduced to earlier. Having tried both the Massey No1 and Sovereign Gold over lunch it would have been remiss to not sample those others on offer. It’s clear from the chat that Al, Henry, Chris and I had that there is no intention from the brewery to make stark changes to the existing recipes, save for perhaps modifications to the base malt for quality purposes. Likewise, the only major change in the pub is the addition of a fridge containing a well curated selection of bottled beer for the more adventurous.
During the course of the early evening we were also introduced to Jim Jennings, who as it turned out had employed a young Al Wall in his process engineering firm. Jim had a wealth of tales regarding brewing in Burton having spent much of his employment in the 80s working in and around Burton as the Process Area Engineering Manager for Ind Coope. All of which were woven through with humour and passion for the area, and most of all a love of Draught Burton Ale (DBA). It was this later revelation that led to Jim regaling us with a run through of a paean to DBA in his self-penned song “Boozers Don’t Take Sips”; the central refrain from which Jim has very kindly allowed me to reproduce below.
“I’ll fill my glass with ‘Burton Ale’ and hold it to the light // To check that there’s no floaters and make sure it’s clear and bright // I’ll smell the hop aroma and put it to my lips // And have a bloody good swallow cos’ boozers don’t take sips.”
So all of this industry to make a beer, and you’ll note (if you’ve read this far – editor) that there hasn’t been much discussion of exactly what… Fear not however because here’s the payoff. We were never going to go to come to Burton to make a Potato & Lactose IPA, much to Jim’s general disappointment. No instead we’ve tried to respect tradition and gone with something entirely more appropriate… A mild, based on a recipe from circa 1950 with enough of a gentle nod to our location as appropriate. Gravity-wise we’re aiming for about 4.3% with a glorious amber glow.
Without further ado, say hello to 1950 Burton Mild which will be debuting exclusively at this year’s ISBF. You’ll find it nestled away on the cask bar obviously, under the expert stewardship of another Chris.
All that remains is to thank Al, Emma and all of the team at Burton Bridge/Heritage Brewing for their holster. Thanks also to Henry from Sunken Knave for his humour, enthusiasm and the wealth of knowledge he added both to the recipe design and the brew day itself. I think that’s everyone and everything ticked off, or is it?!?
Well not quite; you will dear reader be aware that we like to add value to this here little grassroots event with the odd little talk here and there. These have covered all manner of topics in recent years, including but not limited to “Beer & Social Media”, “Sour and Wild Ales” and “West Coast IPAs”. So in that grand tradition we’re going all in on the past this year; Al and Henry will be talking all things heritage brewing, discussing the beer we made together and sharing a few beers with us as they go. It’s a limited event, because as much as we’d love to get you all in the green room, logistically that might be a struggle, and it’ll be first come first serve for a small supplementary charitable donation on the day…
#ISBF9 : Brewday 9 Pt 1 - Pictish
John & Caz - The page is yours…
…5.15. AM. Most would agree, that’s way too early an alarm call.
The things we do for beer, for ISBF and ultimately for charity….
And as we rise at that ungodly hour, we are grateful that our host had taken pity on us part time brewers and agreed to delay the mash in for today’s brew!
So shortly before 6am, Cazoline and I hit the M60 for the half hour drive to The Dale – the birthplace of the Co-op and the home, for the last 24 years, of ISBF stalwarts Pictish Brewing Company. There’s a reason Pictish have been on the bar at every edition of ISBF – and that’s because our glorious leader Jim is quite the fan of the undisputed masters of the single hop pale ale. However, every year as ISBF approaches, Jim has to concede that he isn’t anywhere close to being the top Pictish fanatic on the extended ISBF team – that, possibly dubious, honour goes to their no. 1 fangirl Caz. So today I’m chauffeuring Caz to her fifth Pictish collaboration brew (split between brews for ISBF, MBCF and her own 50th birthday brew) – told you she was a fangirl.
When we arrive at the brewery at 6.30am, we find owner, head brewer and chief dogsbody Paul just finishing racking the last of cask a brew of his flagship core beer Alchemist Ale. He’d agreed to a late mash in but this workaholic isn’t going to use that as an excuse for a lie in himself – we learn Paul’s been at the brewery almost two hours! As well as racking and sealing 27 casks, he’s already weighed out the grain bill for today’s brew which is bagged up and leaning against the mash-tun ready for the off. Assistant brewer and drayman Martin is also up before the dawn and has already loaded the van for today’s run out to the pubs of the Peak District.
As Martin hits the road just before 7am, the pumps go on to start filling the mash tun and the first bag of pale malt goes in. A quick check of social media tells us we are way ahead of today’s two other ISBF brew days – as we take the obligatory photos of the mash, our fellow part-time brewers are sending pictures of train stations and bus stops as they begin their journeys to their respective hosts. Paul pours in a second bag of pale malt, Caz follows with a third. More pale and five kilos of malted wheat follows. Aromas start filling the air. But what’s in this bucket? It isn’t pale – it’s dark – even darker than the sky outside at this early hour. What is the world coming to - the pale ale pantheon isn’t sending a signature pale & hoppy ale to Hemsley House? Well at least it’s not going to be bright red either!
So the last addition into the mash tun is eight kilos of chocolate malt - there’s no turning back now – the recipe de jour is stout. A very special stout.
This fat Geordie is finally called to do some work and get all that grain mashed into the liquor. Except it’s been a while and he’s out of practice - so after a few minutes Paul jumps back in to do it properly! As the mash rest begins, Paul briefly talks us through some of the changes at the brewery since we were last here – new water purification kit, a new heat exchanger, some tweaks to the process – all in the pursuit of even better beer. However this being the domain of the non-stop brewing dynamo, the mash might be resting but we aren’t. There are casks need washing in preparation for tomorrow’s racking of Lancashire Best – the Pictish brewed house beer of Lancashire Hospitality’s pubs which include Rochdale’s The Flying Horse, The Baum & The Cemetery, The Red Lion in Whitworth & the Hare On The Hill in Littleborough.
As we approach the end of cask washing duties, we are joined by the last member of today’s brew team. Bless him, Jock’s had a tough journey to get here today – Middleton is over FIVE miles away. Still, he might be late but he gets straight onto a very important task indeed – making the tea! While he’s doing that, we miss the chance to get one of the classic brew day photos – the whirlwind & his fangirl don’t hang around to pose for Instagram– Paul & Caz have got the early addition hops in the copper while we debate who is having milk and sugar in their brew. With today’s brew being what it is, the hop bill is a fraction of what usually goes into Pictish’s regular hoppy ales – today we’ve just got a modest addition of Eagle for bittering which will be followed at the end of the boil by a small amount of Bramling Cross.
As the wort comes up to boil, we get on to the fun part of the day. Today’s brew might be based on Pictish’s regular winter seasonal special Samhain Stout – but that wouldn’t pass the basic entry criteria for pouring at ISBF as it’s been poured in Manchester before. So we had decided in advance that we were going to put a twist on it – or to be more accurate put a bit of heat into it. Chilli stout – perfect for November supping. Paul likes a pun so when he found a chilli called Carolina Reaper that part of the recipe was fixed – but what hadn’t been decided was how much chilli we needed and what other additions we would add to balance out the heat. And these reapers pack quite some heat. Two of the team were freaked enough by the pungent aroma from the jar but the other two more fool hardy souls braved a flake of the chopped up chillis. Wowser, you definitely wouldn’t want to eat a whole one!
We were going to have to be sparing on the fiery addition but we didn’t want to overpower the chilli flavour with something else. There was only one way to decide what was going to work and that was to get into cocktail making mode. With a generic dry stout as the base, we played mixologist with dried chillies, chocolate, vanilla and more. First attempt was way too subtle, - mix mix - second sample had chocolate distracting from the gentle heat - mix, mix, mix - more chilli gave too much lingering burn in the aftertaste… Did we get it right in the end? There’s only one place you’ll find out – Hemsley House on 7th November. Tickets here….(ed)
Mixology gave way to digging out the mash. Caz takes the lead here - she might be Norwegian but she ain’t a fan of cold mornings, even in her favourite brewery - so jumps at the chance to get up close to all that lovely warm grain. When it could have been his turn to dig, Jock is busy taking photographs (or so he said), so second shift falls to the chauffer before our host finishes off the job – if you want a job doing properly don’t let amateurs do it. A short while later, Caz will jump back in for digging the spent hops out of the copper – another job in the warm corner of the brewery. And then at 2pm, we find ourselves at the final stage of the brew. The Pictish house yeast is pitched and we are almost done for the day.
The cocktail bar is packed away, a final round of cleaning and those lovely clean casks from earlier are lined up ready for their early morning date with Lancashire Best. It’s been a fun day. We’ve gotten to know Paul pretty well over the years but we don’t get to see as much of him as we’d like so it’s been good to catch up. It’s not all been beer talk – we’ve also covered family, pubs, bikes (extreme adventures on the pedal kind being Paul’s other passion) and much more. We head off to decide between a late lunch from McDonalds, Subway or Greggs. Tomorrow Paul will do it all again – this time brewing his other core beer, the classic Brewer’s Gold. But tomorrow he won’t have visitors disturbing his routine so he’ll be mashed in by 5.30am and at home snoozing on the sofa in front of the one o’clock news.
#ISBF9 Brewday 9 Pt 3 - A Brew With Mr Smith
At ISBF, we don't go making beer for the sake of it. It's not - never has been - Collab for Collab sake.
We go make beer with people who make great beer. But what's more important is that they are lovely humans.
Like James & Jen Smith. Just lovely, unassuming people who do the good stuff.
For many, Brewsmith will be “under the radar”, they certainly don't get the flowers they deserve.
Because James brews simply excellent cask conditioned beer.
James & I have a few things in common. A love of great beer is a given. We both started in 2014. We both know a certain talented young Gentleman called Andy, who has designed for both of us since 2014.
And - really importantly - we both have a love of great music, having been to a few gigs together.
Like I said, good people.
Brewsmith might have been my first “Kit Crush”. Designed with James Campbell (now of Sureshot), I've always loved the logical, simple layout. As well as great raw materials and talent, this helps to produce consistently excellent beer.
We'd talked about the beer (with Andy - who unfortunately was unable to make the Brewday) over a few weeks and settled on a US Porter. A style I love. Dark, delicious, hoppy.
Mashing in was straightforward, the brewery design helps massively with that. Then after an hour or so to let the hot water draw out those beautiful sugars, it was time to transfer to the boil.
I do love the smell of porridge in the morning!
The colour was bang on. The smell was like chocolatey Ready Brek, rich and lovely. Making me feel peckish!
We talked hops. James - being the one who knows - made some excellent choices, with a rather large amount of aromatic Calypso and Chinook going into the boil near the end, for flavour and a little aroma.
This is where I messed up put all 6 kg in one bucket - had to be careful to get them all in! James took over….
As you might expect, the place was smelling amazing with the hops hitting a vigorously boiling cauldron of Dark Deliciousness.
I may have drooled. Slightly.
With my favourite job - digging out the grain - in the rear view, we were soon transferring to the fermentation vessel (FV) and my day was nigh on done, with James's assistant, Tom, was on hand to clear out the Copper (Boil Vessel).
I just wish I could be there to deploy the lashings Calypso & Chinook into the FV in a few days…..
Huge thanks to James for putting up with my foibles.
He's making excellent beer up here in Rammy, if you haven't tried some, you really ought to.
He's a fabulous brewer. Better human.
Like I said, my day was nigh on done…..
So. Anyway. What did we make?
You see, James and Jen own a perfect little bar. On a lovely side street near Bury Interchange.
Broad Street Social.
So I popped to see Jen on my way home. And have a couple of lush pints of Brewsmith, in the perfect place.
A fine end to a great day.
Back soon. We're nearly there now!
Be kind to one another.
Oh. By the way…. Tickets here…..
Jim x
#ISBF9 Brewday 8 : Return To The Shed of Dreams
Back in early 2014 I sent a tweet that would - I think I can safely say - change my life…
In it, I stated that I had stupidly agreed to organising a beer festival, even though I hadn’t the faintest idea how to do that.
I cried “HELP!!!”
Lots of people offered their assistance, flooring me with their generosity of spirit.
The first response I recall from a brewery said, simply, “BOGOF”
That tweet was from Malcolm Bastow. Owner/Brewer at Five Towns of Outwood, Wakefield.
One of the finest humans you could care to meet.
That year, 2014, was the first ISBF. Where the journey began. Malcolm supplied a beer called “Raven King”. It won the vote for “Beer of the Festival”
In 2015, he won the vote for Beer of the Festival again. That time with “Art Decade”.
He would win that vote on 2 further occasions.
At this point - at the “in person” events - he's won “Beer of the Festival” at exactly half of the events.
None too shabby. For beer brewed in a shed. At the bottom of his garden.
A huge commute…..
And going back to 2014, it seemed a rather poetic symmetry, that helping out on this Collab, was Jock (who's not actually called “Jock”, or even Scottish!), who was the first person through the door at the first ISBF.
Someone who, if I hadn't written a beer blog, i’d likely never have met. And my life would have been poorer for that.
Now Malcolm's kit is small (400L or 2.5bbl), so mashing in was quick and painless (almost all Pale malt with a little wheat malt). At that point, hops were discussed. Nelson. Single Hop.
Jock had the privilege of opening the fresh pack. I know this sounds repetitive, but there's such a rush when you get to smell a freshly opened bag of hops, especially when they're as aromatic as this NZ beauty.
Simply glorious.
For me - and no doubt Malcolm too - this was a special Brewday. It's always special to brew with friends, but even more so when - having announced his “retirement” 😂 a year ago - he agreed to recommission his own brew kit. Reopen the doors to “The Shed of Dreams”.
As people who've been with us on the long ISBF journey know, he's brewed some special beers on this old David Porter kit. It felt “right” to be brewing on it again.
A little Nelson Sauvin for “bittering”, and much more of the same at “flame out” (always thought that a curious term) for flavour and aroma, the shed smelled divine. (There was a whole HEAP more in pellet going into the fermenter down the timeline!)
Before we knew it, we were transferred to the fermenting vessel, fruit (complementing/boosting the Nelson). ) added along with yeast, and we were done!
A short, simple and oh so sweet Brewday.
The trickiest job we had was naming the beer.
For that, we consulted the Oracles. The Dewsnips.
It had to be Bowie themed (all of our Five Towns collabs have been)
There were two options chosen. And we went with the one that would fit on a pump clip (!)
So, on Thursday 7th November, on the Cask Bar, you can try “Where Are We Now”, a Grapefruit IPA, liberally hopped with Nelson Sauvin.
Another Beer of the Festival winner? Grab a ticket and have your chance to vote!
Thursday Evening has almost sold out and there are limited tickets left for Saturday Evening too! Tickets here.
Yes. We were done brewing…. But we still had a new tradition to follow. One that was started by Stuart.
If we brew on a Sunday, we have to have Sunday Dinner! On top of everything else, Malcolm had been cooking…..
Much love and gratitude to Malcolm & Bev for having us over. It's always a pleasure.
Big thanks too to Jock for all his efforts and for getting us to and from Wakefield!
Back soon, with a deluge of posts from The Day of The Three Brewdays!
Be kind to one another.
Jx
We Do It Different...... #ISBF9 Brewday 7 : Lakes Brew Co
“The papers write about it back in England
It's practically a lifestyle in Berlin
There's probably some pockets in Ohio
Almost always something happening in Ohio…..
We do it different on the West Coast…
“We Do It Different On The West Coast” - The Mountain Goats
I first met Matt Clarke back in around 2012 at a MTB event at Port Street. (I found the post!!!) The evening was fabulous - anyone who went to MTB events at PSBH would agree.
At that time Voldemort Brewery (The Brewery that shall not be named) made some fabulous beers. There was a human back story to the brewery. There was a playfulness with flavours, a lightness of touch - and no little ability.
Craft Beer (I still detest that term) was relatively new to me, and Matt and his colleagues who drove away in their impressive pick-up truck were bloody talented, decent people.
Some things change. Some things remain the same….
The launch of Lakes Brew Co was celebrated. Good people, doing great things.
I have to say, Chris knew the guys (I didn't really) and when he says people are good, I trust him implicitly.
We went to Lakes before each of the last two Jockfests, had a beer at the Tap, talked with Steve, Matt, Michelle (again, more Chris than me), we chatted about ISBF, asked Steve about a beer….
I was thrilled when he agreed.
We chatted more over the months, post #ISBF8 and popped back in - pre-Jockfest - in January and chatted more.
They “got” what we try to do. And why we do it. Agreed to supply another special beer.
But over the months, I thought I’d aim higher and asked……
“What time do you mash in Matt?” says I….
Which explains being at Bolton Station before 6am….
Can't say I wasn't excited…
We'd chatted beer ideas, recipes etc over the previous weeks, so were quite excited come Brewday.
Hops were to feature…
Meeting Bob at the train station was fortunate for me, because I hadn't a clue where I was going!
One of life's good guys, Bob guided me safely to the brewery and we all got chatting.
Loki (Matt & Michelle's canine owner) sat by my coat. Amused, I wondered why? Then remembered there was a squuezy ball dog toy in my pocket.
And BOY did that pooch like to play ball!
Whilst we were busy chatting, brewer Alex was busy getting his mash on. From a flavour diversity viewpoint (writing as someone responsible for the overall beer line up), there was something that was simultaneously exciting and reassuring about a pale looking grain bill giving up its lovely sugars.
Matt (head brewer) was particularly excited about the hops for this brew, some new varieties coming from his homeland (NZ - since you're asking).
We did some aroma testing and they were bloody punchy and potent. We (Bob & I) could completely get Matt's enthusiasm.
I think that this is an appropriate time to mention that I (Jim) was experiencing something extremely nerdy.
A kit crush.
This bright and shiny SSV kit was just so gorgeous. Not just bright and shiny, but so logical, considered, detailed. Designed for consistency. A thing all good brewers strive for.
Consistency of approach, method, is so important.
Lakes nail that.
Adding the hops is just such an aromatic privilege. Something - it's fair to say - Bob enjoyed.
Just so fresh and fruity. It's a smell you just don't forget.
I'm in love with that beautiful Westie hue…….
This day took me back. And got me to thinking about something that strikes me about this event (ISBF).
Good people gravitate towards each other. Like attracts like.
Talking to Alex, Matt, Michelle, Steve, they're just lovely humans. And they also happen to make exceptionally good beer.
Consistently.
And the thing is, that humanity matters more to us, more than the beer - daft as that may sound.
Lakes just fit. And it gave me (Jim) such a bloody lift when Steve & Matt said they were absolutely up for today (I'm getting emotional just writing that)
The day seemed to fly by. (Almost as fast as Loki chasing his ball!) That's what happens when you enjoy yourself, making beautiful beer with lovely humans such as Bob, Alex, Matt, Michelle & Steve.
Pleasure isn't quite the word I'm looking for, this felt more than that. I'm struggling to not sound like a fanboy. Sorry. (I'm really not!)
But. We - from a brewing perspective - were done.
So what did we make for you……?
A beautiful NZ hopped West Coast IPA. Breaking Algorithms. At around 6.5% abv. Can't wait….
Huge thanks to the team at Lakes. Bloody stars. And - as I may have said - more importantly, lovely humans - for having us up. An absolute blast.
And where will you………
Silly question.
But we weren't quite finished….
We went to the pub. But not just any pub.
I've followed “The New Union” on socials for years. Envious of those who drank there.
And promised myself - one day I'll get there.
And what a lovely pub it is.
Exceptional selection beer in Cask (immaculately kept), keg, can & bottle. A Landlord (Phil) passionate about his craft, a lovely warm feel (as important as all the other things combined).
May have had a beer or two. A laugh or three.
I’ll be back.
Huge thanks again to the team at Lakes for a lovely day (special thanks to Michelle for some lovely photos!), for Phil at The New Union for topping the day with a laugh or 3 (not to mention the Bottle of Coniston Number 9! 🤤)
And massive hugs to Bob, for being my guide - both tour & spirit - and for all his help during a great day.
I've a feeling I'll be back to Kendal. Soon.
Speaking of which, back soon with more collab brewday stuff - including the “Day of The Three Brewdays”
Grab tickets here - only 9 left for Thursday Evening (and not many due Saturday either!)
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
#ISBF9 Brewday 6 - First Beer Crush
“… So he paints a pretty picture
And he tells you that he needs you
And he covers you with flowers
And he always keeps you dreaming
If he always keeps you dreaming
You won't have a lonely hour
If a day could last forever
You might like your ivory tower
But the night begins to turn your head around
And you know you're gonna lose more than you found…. “
“The Night” - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
You never forget your first crush.
In my early blogging days, I was hugely influenced by my dear friend Jaz. It's not a stretch to say that without Jaz there'd be no blog. And without that ‘Beers Manchester’ blog there's no ISBF.
So, really, it's all his fault! drops mic
(Like you, I wish I could end this part here! 😂)
Jaz introduced me to a number of Breweries locally. Beers that would change - quite literally - my world. Chief among these in those early days was a brewery called Allgates in Wigan.
Beers like California, Pretoria, Victoria (all named after local collieries). Pale, light, hoppy, sessionable. Right up my street.
They made an indelible impression.
My first ever Brewday was at Allgates. Quaker House Oatmeal Stout - brewed with Peter “Tandleman” Alexander and Alex “Tyson” Koval - was a thing of beauty.
David Mayhall (former part owner of Allgates) was one of the people in Beer whose opinion I sought. He organised the greatest of beer events - The Road to Wigan Beer - just…… so many memories.
Allgates closed. The brewery returned as Wigan Brewhouse. Same location - a beautiful tower brewery - in the centre of Wigan, same brewer, Jonny Provost. Change of theme, branding, closer link to the mighty, legendary, Wigan Casino, arguably the most famous Northern Soul club of all.
Northern Soul - Memories……..
Following his heart, Jonny and his wife Beckie bought the brewery recently and those beautiful easy drinking beers still flow.
I bumped into them at a beer event earlier this year and we brewed a beer for East West Fest.
They belong on the bar at ISBF too. So….8am, Wigan…..
This brewery is small (5 Barrel) but perfectly formed.
It's a tower brewery. Grain on the top floor, down to Mash Tun & Copper on the floor below, to the fermenting vessels on the next floor down.
There's such a logical flow.
There certainly was for the lovely malt bill, plenty of pale malt for the base, but with a large helping of darker (roast barley & chocolate) to take us to the dark side.
Mashing in was really straightforward. That's partly a result of the tower set up.
With mashing in done and the grain releasing its beautiful fermentable sugars, we talked hops. We’d agreed the beer style previously, but not the hop bill.
My call.
It had to be Centennial. My personal catnip.
The beautiful aromatics of Dark Malt. Imagine Chocolate Porridge - breakfast of Dreams.
The wort was a perfect colour. Black. And was soon headed to the Copper to get to the boil and for an addition of zesty Centennial - I left that to Jonny, there's a knack to not getting steam burns!
We got to talking - as you do - Jonny & Beckie have got plans for regular tap openings (they already do brewery tours). It really is - in my experience - a unique brewery space.
Fantastically located - centre of town, 90 seconds walk to Wallgate train station - great pubs and bars close by. It'll be a great addition to the Wigan beer landscape.
Before I knew it, it was time for yeast deployment and time to head home.
Chatting and formulating recipes for new beers is always exciting. But when it's with your first beer crush, it's well….. special.
Jonny makes lovely cask ales in that there tower.
So. Anyway. What have we made for you?
“The Night” - a soulful US Porter. Single hopped with Centennial.
A beer with Soul. What could be finer?
Massive thanks to Jonny & Beckie for having us over. Let's see more of their beers in Manchester eh?
If you haven't yet got your tickets for ISBF, better get a shake on. There are very few left for Thursday & Saturday evenings.
Tickets here
Back soon
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
Feels Like Home - #ISBF9 Brewday 5 :North Riding Brewery
“I could never be happy on a hill
With a whole lot of money, girl
It just don't feel like it did with you
In a little old shack, girl
Way down home across the railroad tracks
Take me home (take me home)
Sweet home (sweet home)
That's where my heart is (that's where my heart is)”
“Home Is Where The Heart Is” - Bobby Womack
This event (ISBF), it's personal to many of us. Not just those involved “backstage”, but also many of you who turn up, year on year, to have that annual meeting with friends. Friends you met here, many at our original location, St Sebastian's.
To some of us, it's deeply emotional. Please bear with me….
Stuart & Karen Neilson are - quite literally, to me (Jim) and mine - VIPs.
To my mind, Stuart specialises in Cask Conditioned beer. And does that better than anyone. (Not something I say lightly)
Karen runs one of the best pubs in the UK. Exceptional cask. Permanent Kernel lines. Enough said. (Again, praise like this isn't loosely dropped from these lips)
And the pub sits 75 yards from the cliffs above the beach on the North Bay.
My idea of heaven.
Back in 2017, they invited us over to Scarborough to stay the night in “the pub”. It was New Year's Eve. Our first venture out from underneath the darkness. Brought us a little into the light.
We'll never forget that.
Good people these. Some of the finest.
A journey over to Scarbados always feels life enhancing. Especially when it's to brew something close to my heart.
Dark. Decadent. Dangerously Drinkable.
The drive to Snainton was via a Sunrise over Scarborough Castle - I had to….
Beautiful innit?
The drive to “The Factory” (as I lovingly call it - remember, there's a 2Bbl brewery in the pub cellar!) takes about 20 minutes, through some beautiful villages.
I may be a militant Lancastrian, but by ‘eck, parts of Yorkshire are so beautiful…
Into the brewery, tea (Yorkshire Gold, obvs) in hand, there were 350kgs of malt to get wet…..
.... and an early clue about this venture into “The Dark Side”…… (Linda B is gonna love this year!)
For a committed #DeskCat, mashing in 350kg is “interesting” (my body would argue with me the next morning!), but we got those grains hot, wet and thoroughly mixed fairly quickly.
Once that was done, there were traditions to be observed…
2 things to state here :
As all who collaborate with Stu know, there are traditions to be observed. Some of them delicious.
That there picture gets any mention of “The Unmentionable Song” out of the way. 🤮
Time for hops to be prepared (Bramling Cross, seeing as you're asking…)
Shooting the breeze with Stu is always a joy. Music features prominently - especially House Music & Techno. Those who joined us on the North Riding #ISBFHeroes event during the Pandemic might remember via Mike's playlist…. Click here…… It's bloody excellent!
On the back of that event, Stu had some T-shirts printed. I believe Melissa Cole still wears hers (#CricketWars) occasionally….. Mine may have reflected Virgin Media effectiveness….
(Those Heroes events take me back…..)
Almost took my mind off the digging out of a ton of wet grain…..
And - for the record - Stu's left hand was way more efficient digging than my two. But I tried…..
Beer being transferred to the boil, there were a few bits and bobs to be sorted, invert sugars and stuff, prior to the important stuff…..
There are traditions to be observed!
Getting the wort to the boil takes time, but, sugars added, we were on our way….
Ahhhhhh…..darkness.
Brewdays are bursts of intense activity interspersed with….. Filling time.
We were left with transfer, adding the yeast - almost at the start of transfer - then we're done!
But not quite…… we loaded up the truck. To drop the grain at a farm on the way back.
I may have met a kindred spirit…
Grain delivered, we were done.
So. What did we brew for you?
A beautiful, rich Export Stout. Likely about 6.5%. This - my friends - is gonna be a reyt banger!
And where will you get it first over here?
Silly question!
Brewing with Stu is always a joy and we're hugely grateful that he took his Saturday out to fit us in. A fabulous brewer, even better human.
Massive thanks to the lovely Karen too. A star. And one of the great beer custodian. You'll struggle to find better cask conditioned beer.
A lovely human too.
Thank you both (can't wait to see you on the 8th).
Got your tickets yet? Just 18 left for Thursday Evening Session and only 26 for Saturday Evening.
That's it. Go grab yours. Here…..
Back soon.
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
Oh. One more thing. I may have been ambushed on the drive back…
#ISBF9 #Brewday4 : It Started With a Walk
“There’s a crazy mirror showing us both in 5-D,
I’m laughing at you you’re laughing at me.
There’s a room of shadows that gets so dark brother,
it’s easy for two people to lose each other, in this tunnel of love…“
“Tunnel of Love” - Bruce Springsteen
Well. It actually started with a phone call.
From Malcolm (Mr Five Towns).
“Fancy a walk?” That was the gist of the conversation….
Turns out that Paul Spencer, Brewpub supremo (my word) for the Ossett Brewery stable of Brewpubs, was doing a sponsored walk in aid of a local charity.
This didn't surprise me. Paul is one of the loveliest humans in this beer game.
So. Summer. A canal walk. Between pubs.
Sign me up!
I get to the meeting point - Riverhead Brewery Tap - to find lots of people, very comfortably attired. Not looking like they were waiting for the pub to open.
Turns out, they were waiting for Paul.
And up for the walk. He's good beer people you see.
So. We get in the pub.
My eyes are immediately drawn to something rather lovely. Sat on a plinth in the next room.
A small, bright, shiny brewkit.
“Fancy brewing something for #ISBF9?” says Derren Brown (aka Paul) reading my thoughts….
“We can brew whatever you fancy….. “
“REALLY?”
Fateful words indeed.
My Heart of Darkness started pumping…
Which is how I find myself, retracing my steps, from Platform 1 at Marsden train station and walking into the beautiful village of Marsden, following Monday's train “adventure”….
To the rather lovely Riverhead Brewery.
Quickly getting down to business………
A malt bill, with almost 30% darker malts? Like a Jimbo Fever Dream! ….
If you've never brewed on a decent sized kit, take it from me, it's a sensory delight.
And with all that dark stuff and its choccy, roasty joy, if there's a heaven, I was there.
Mashing in was straightforward. The kit seemed designed to make this so, so we were swiftly done and on to other things…
Lots of stuff going on on this Brewday, mostly for Paul & Tarun, one of the Riverhead brewers. But I had some lovely light tasks like grinding some coffee beans to add to the brew later on following some steeping, with some Cacao nibs to go in later.
One of the other - slightly more menial - tasks I had, was to break up 25kg of invert sugar (think of it as an enormous block of fudge!). Bloody hard work - eventually it took both of us to complete - but finally the “fudge” was dissolving as the dark joy was transferring to the “copper”.
I love digging the mash out and this was done into smaller portions than is usual, owing to the age of the farmer collecting the sacks. And this was done in plenty of time for him to collect - with sacks (unusually) collected through the window.
Transfer to the FV completed, yeast pitched (nicking Tarun's yeast for the following Brewday!), we were pretty much done.
Riverhead is a lovely pub, with excellent beers from across the Ossett Brewery stable. Great food too (thanks for the Panko Chicken Bao, Paul!).
What a great finishing spot after a lovely canal stroll. I'll be back.
Whilst this was not my first brew in an Ossett pub (Malcolm & I brewed a Rye Ale with Robin at Rat Brewery), this was the first time I've brewed with Paul, one of Yorkshire's most respected brewers & beer people.
It was an absolute joy.
What have we brewed? Well……
Breakfast Stout - a rich 5% joyous journey into darkness.
Come and try it. First (in the Manchester area) on 7th November. At a certain Bijou Beer Bash.
A few tickets still available click here
Back soon. With more Darkness.
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
#ISBF9 #Brewday3 : On The Dubbel - Travelling Up whilst Looking Down - With Steam Machine
“….actions speak louder than words….”
“Look Down Look Down” - Martin Stephenson & The Daintees
For me & mine, The Daintees were one of the finest bands of the ‘80s. And “Boat To Bolivia” one of its finest albums - particular fond memories of seeing them Live on the Gladsome Humour & Blue tour, when - due her diminutive stature - “The Boss” couldn’t see the band, so I spent most of the gig with her “piggybacked” on me!
Anyway, big thanks to Martin for allowing us to use the song title…..True Northeast Legend.
Heading North to Newcastle is always a joy. Even in the rain. With very little sleep. On the 06:38 Trans Pennine Express.
Shattered. But still more than worth it. Because I was off to make beer.
But more about that in a moment.
It was an early start. A 6:38 train to……? Which, for little old Jimbo, meant a bus at just after 5:20 am (Yes. There IS more than one 5:20 in a day).
But, as I was to discover, this was going to be worth it. A day full of surprises for me.
Let's say, I learned some stuff.
Catching the 06:38 Trans Pennine Express from Victoria was a new one on me. Bloody early to be heading East for start.
Also, a Trans Pennine Express train that was on time! (They reverted to type later. BELIEVE.)
Arriving in Newcastle to be met by one of my beer heroines, Daisy, we were soon heading South of the city, on a drive that seemed to go on forever. I really hadn't bargained on how far South of the city we were headed!
But where were we brewing….
Questions were asked. Answers were proffered. But none were the wiser.
So. Where did we end up?
Greeted by Nick, we were ushered past the beautifully created pub, into the heart of the brewery. Mashing in been done prior to arrival (😭), a swift look at the malt bill screamed colour - a substantial percentage of Dark Munich, we were going for full bodied and for a bright dark red kind of hue.
The usual beautiful smells of brewing were all there, like the smell of fresh baked bread, a brewday is all about all the senses.
Quite a swift Brewday this, with lots of talking and tasting and I - for one - wasn't complaining!
And with that, Nick introduced me to their beers and we got to talking about what makes Steam Machine, well, Steam Machine!
And what came across, clearly, was that word “Community”.
The beers are beautiful. We sampled a Birch Smoked Grodziskie, a Citra dry hopped version of the same (wow!), a Belgian Blonde, a Tripel, a beautiful malty Marzen, a glorious WC IPA, a stunning chocolatey Imperial Stout. The range of clean & sharp, Funky, Smoky, Unctuous.
Beers brewed especially for their own tap.
Very little - if any - Steam Machine beer leaves the brewery. European in style, served within a US model - the brewery tap as the main outlet.
Serving these wonderful beers from tank, just at the brewery, I'm envious.
And that Community thing? The team at Steam Machine have taken this a stage further.
A community of beer lovers. More than a subscription, the guys at Steam Machine involve the members of the Fellowship in many things around beer production.
Once every two months this community receives a case of very special beers.
In addition…. The brewery involve the Fellowship in various decisions around beer design, planning, blending, adaptations.
I've been around beer a while, but I've never come across anything like this. I've had a rough week or two, but talking about this absolutely warmed my old cold heart.
Hops being added in the boil, I enjoyed one of my favourite Brewday things. The dig out. With Daisy doing more than her fair share, we were quickly done, with the farmer collecting the spent grains in double quick time.
What we made today was the base for the beer were going to enjoy at Hemsley House.
And - oh my - we will enjoy it…..It simply screams ISBF. I think it may well be the first beer of this style that we've had (although - ISBF scholars - I am perfectly prepared to sit corrected)
So. Complex malt bill, mashed. Boil completed and transferred. Into fermentation with yeast especially selected to develop lovely “Belgiany” (patented) flavours……..
Two more things to add Post-fermentation…..
Cacao & Sour Cherries….
We discussed names for the beer. And - you know me - music matters.
Feelers were put out to one of my musical heroes. A fabulous songwriter and raconteur who recorded one of my all-time favourite albums. (Yeah, yeah, yeah….you told us earlier! Ed…)
I nearly yelped when he agreed to let us use one of his song titles as the beer name….. Honestly. I did. Ask Daisy!
So. With a HUGE thank you to Nick all at Steam Machine for having us, to my beer heroine Daisy fur making this happen….
In November, at Hemsley House, you can enjoy what's going to be a rather special beer.
A Dark Chocolate & Sour Cherry Dubbel.
(With huge fanboy gratitude to Martin Stephenson!)
(News Update - I'm going to see Martin on Sunday at The Band on the Wall. Might get to thank him personally!)
Huge thanks to Nick, Phil & all at Steam Machine for humouring an old beer nerd and for allowing us to come and help make this beatiful beer. What they are doing is quite the thing and I (Jim) will be subscribing shortly!
And where will you get to try this beer first? (Obviously a trick question….)
Got your tickets yet? Get a flipping shake on! Available here…..
Back on Friday with news of yet ANOTHER collab brewday! (And it’s just 5 WEEKS TOMORROW to the opening session!!!)
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
"Aromatically Yours" - #ISBF9 : Brewday No. 2 with Torrside
“… And everybody's coming from their winter vacation
Taking in the sun in a exaltation to you.
You come running in on platform shoes
With Marshall stacks to at least just give us a clue….. “
“Teenage Riot” - Sonic Youth
“Daydream Nation” by Sonic Youth is arguably THE canonical album of American Alternative Rock. Released in 1988, the same year as The Pixies’ “Surfer Rosa” and regularly featuring in Top 100 of All Time lists, it was undoubtedly an influence on much of what followed in Indie Rock.
I was listening to it a couple of nights ago, when I was gripped by something that rarely happens these days. Genuine excitement.
I messaged Chris Clough —knowing what we were about to brew - and blurted “I've got the beer name!”
But I digress…..
Beer Dictionary Definition - Torrside (adj) : Niche, Playful, Twisted, Ever So Slightly Odd.
“Had this brilliantly bonkers beer last night. It were proper Torrside”
Those who have been to a Torrside Tap, or to Smokefest, know. What you get is a fabulous atmosphere, friendly, relaxed, with great beer and even better hosts.
It's always struck me as being a place, events, that focus, yes, on the niche side of beer, but also on people. And that's - to me - a very ISBF thing. It's like we're related. 😂
3 days ago, I caught a train headed into “the hills”. To an event that takes the word “Niche” into the furthest left of fields. And then goes even further.
That event was Smokefest.
Known for their playful tendencies and their insatiable appetite for Rauch Malt and Partigyles, but exceptional across a whole range of styles, Torrside never seem to get the flowers that their skills & beers deserve.
But they do from the #ISBFFamily. Because, not only do they make quite exceptional beer, they're also lovely humans.
Because, put the Smoke & Monsters to one side. And appreciate Yellow Peak (a simply GORGEOUS Session Pale), I’m Spartacus, (a magnificent IPA), Candlewick (a Luscious Stout) and many more “normal” beers.
For me - and several of my Friends - they are in the God Tier of UK Breweries. Because they NAIL pretty much every style they brew. And I really don’t say that lightly. I don’t blow “smoke”….
I would have first bumped into Chris, Nick & Peter on the Manchester beer scene (which - at the time - was pretty much Port Street Beer House) with the memory that is most fixed being a famous - in this mind at least - Home Brew competition at Brew Dog in Manchester.
All 3 exhibited beers individually, all 3 were excellent. The competition felt fierce and - at one point, as we were judging - it felt like the Brewers were closing in like lions on prey.
The standard was incredible.
From that competition came Matt Dutton (now head brewer at Track), Richard Conway (Thirst Class) and the 3 friends who came together to found Torrside.
For ISBF8, we came to New Mills. And brewed a Red. X2.
This year - early on - Chris voiced an idea. Typically, ever so slightly, bonkers.
Typically Torrside. And we loved it.
A Saison. With a “twist”. In a manner of speaking.
In addition, this - in typical New Mills fashion - would be a partigyle.
Here be monsters……
Excited on arrival, Sarah and myself got to mashing in a mostly very pale malt bill, simple, clean and so easy to mash, we soon settled in - with the mighty Bevis having now arrived - to talking hops and aromatics……
Of course, this was to be a partigyle, so, once mashed in - and before the sparge (hot rinsing the remaining sugars from the malt) - we ran off the first 200 litres or so of sugar laden wort into the smaller “copper” (which - like all breweries - isn't made of copper at all….) in order to make something a little more “Monstrous”….
Back to the main beer. 2 hop varieties weighed out (one variety for each beer) it was on to those aromatics…. A lot of lemon zest was required, so Bevis & I were set to the task of zesting a large number of juicy lemons. Being ultra careful not to take the pith…..
Gotta say, the aroma from that lemon zest was really something rather special…
That task done - and sparging/run off of the main beer going on - time for some hops for the “smaller” beer.
Nelson Sauvin. Lord of Southern Hemisphere hops. A rather large amount too…. and multiple additions.
As the hops hit the wort, the fragrance was almost overwhelming. Just the most beautiful fruity aromas.
Bevis was keen to get up the steps to chuck a good blast of Tettnang into the main copper for the larger batch brew. Which was joined, shortly after, by the Juniper berries, Lemon Zest & hand-ground coriander seeds…..
Guessed yet….. ?
With beers transferred to the fermenting vessels, it was time to pitch yeast, buy some beautiful takeaway beers and - unfortunately - bust lungs racing for the train home!
So. What utter delights have we got for you. If you haven't guessed yet….
Spirit Desire - A Gin & Tonic Saison at somewhere slightly below 5% abv for the Keg bar. And….
Experimental Jet Set - an Ultra Pale Nelson Sauvin Barleywine at somewhere around 9% abv for the cask bar. (Both names MORE than a nod to Sonic Youth)
Those who know me, know that I rarely use words lightly in such contexts, but BY THE GODS I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THESE!!!
And where, WHERE, do you think you'll get to try these beers first eh? EH?
If you STILL haven't got your tickets for our bijou event, you'd better get a shake on. 3 Sessions of the 5 have already SOLD OUT….
Tickets here…….
Massive thanks to Chris, Sarah and Barney for a hugely entertaining, fun and educational brew day. For me personally, I couldn't have wished for better hosts at the start of this #ISBF9 #CollabSeason
Back soon - next train journey is on Monday. But to where? And brewing with who?
Be kind to one another.
Jim x
Choice? Who needs Choice?
Where it all began - 10 Years ago
The Independent Salford Beer Festival was founded to raise money to help a much needed Community Centre afloat.
It did that. And then some.
But the form it took was based on what I (Jim) wanted from a beer festival - but rarely got.
Space. Comfort. Relaxation. And great beer.
But in the first two years there was something missing.
2014 & 2015 - Cask Only
Yes. The beers were great. Something must have worked OK, because people who came in Year 1 (back in 2014) came back. To a small, hidden away, Community Centre.
But still……
.... At beer festivals, I always wanted to try something…. different. Something that I couldn't try every day.
Back in the day, that meant Darkness. Milds, Porters & Stouts. You simply couldn't get them in most pubs where I lived. And true Freehouses were few and far between.
And that was it. What was missing. I wanted something new. So, in 2016 for #ISBF3, I took this to its logical end…
Everything new. The term “First Pour” came later, but everything needed to be “First Pour”, at least in the Manchester area. guests had no choice BUT to drink new beer.
On the Saturday lunch session of #ISBF3 I clearly recall a local brewer - who shall remain unnamed - telling me that I wouldn't be able to pull that off again…..
8 years later, we go again.
This stage of the “planning” process is the fun part.
Collabs (mostly) set. Recipes agreed. Emails sent to see what's possible.
And the beer list starting to take shape…
Balance - in more ways than one - is always the aim. And that's reflected in the collabs.
Before last week, I'd never even HEARD of a Sticke Altbier, but here we are….
Table Beer, Funky Saison, Pales, IPA, West Coast IPA, Heritage Styles, Porter, Breakfast Stout,, Double Stout….. There's more to be arranged.
Mmmmmm......Hops (Best things about collabs : Aromas)
And that's just the collabs
From hereon in, the list builds quite quickly. And I keep it very close (keeping that secret is another fun part of this process!), but, if you've been before, you know what to expect……
Belgian Style Red anyone……..
No hype. No idle boasts. If you've been, you know. And if you haven't - and love great beer - you should.
Next collab post, in just over a week.
Coming soon.....
“Its Only A Bloody Thing Or Something” - #ISBF9 Brewday 1
Do you ever have a moment of dread? That moment when you think “Good God! What have I done???”
Well that was how I felt, knowing that Chris & Tim were headed South. To brew something weird, with the lovely Andy Parker at Elusive.
Turns out that they’re actually trustworthy! Who knew? Take it away Tim…..
Has it really been a year already?!? Well that can mean only one thing, it’s time to pull out all the stops and go make a follow-up to last year’s ISBF x Elusive beer. Now this year due largely to clashing calendars we earned the auspicious honour of claiming the first collaboration brew for this edition of ISBF.
Recipes and ideas were chucked back and forth until we thought we had something concrete that would be workable and wouldn’t immediately elicit groans from Finchampstead!!! Alas this meant that despite Jim’s insistence that we brew the legendary Potato & Lactose IPA, once more it could not be realised (next time, mon ami). It was a chance evening of mildly lubricated discussion in the ever excellent (The) Colmore in Birmingham however that helped to focus us on something wholly more German.
A Sticke Altbier; the unrestrained and secret version of the classic Dusseldorf Altbier... A beer that retains the classic old-world style of Altbier but with a more robust approach, making the most of extra malt and hops. The perfect style therefore to bring to a beer festival such as ISBF that enjoys a wealth of depth and diversity across its beer selection. The perfect beer to test the technical ability of one Andy Parker and his two assistants for the day.
Now because geographically myself and Chris are in the Midlands this means any road-trip to Finchampstead will also coincide with a visit to that most holy of back street boozers… The Nags Head!!! Which is where we found ourselves meeting Andy on Friday night to discuss the upcoming brew day and decide on a definitive direction for the recipe. Now it just so happens that Andy has recently published an incredibly detailed guide to home brewing, co-authored by Jamil Zainasheff (seriously go buy it HERE). Over the course of a few pints it transpired that Andy and Jamil had visited Dusseldorf and more specifically one of only a few breweries that regularly produce a Sticke Altbier – Uerige Hausbrauerei. Seemingly also by an astounding coincidence the trip resulted in the recipe which we would be enacting the following day…
As Saturday morning looms into view so does a taxi to whisk us over to Hogwood Lane and Elusive Brewing. As the brewsheet was produced, Andy mentioned that today was Elusive’s Gyle 800. A fab number, and one that we fully intend to do justice to. We got to it, weighing out the sizable (for a Grainfather) grain bill; mostly LCMO, with a touch of Caramunich I and Carafa Special Type I. It is worth noting that most of the colour of the beer is provided by these small additions. Carafa Special Type I is quite the unique malt in that it adds colour without contributing too much in the way of roast or bitterness. As the mash tun came up to temp, we got to discussing that very German mash profile; Decoction or Stepped Mash?!? Decoction being the very traditional way of removing a portion of the mash and boiling separately to improve the enzymatic conversion of sugars. Where once this was seen to be the most efficient mashing profile, a stepped mash has become more popular mainly due to advances in malting techniques, but mostly because in Andy’s own words “Decoction mash? Who needs that, it’s a pain in the arse!”
So, a stepped mash it was then, with 20-minute rests at each step (52, 62, 72, Boil). That done, dusted and in the bag, it was time to commit ourselves to a hop schedule. We could absolutely go nuts here, but restraint is the name of the game with German beer styles, so the Citra/Mosaic/Sorachi triple header was shelved in favour of something far more noble. Jamil’s recipe calls for a combo of Perle/Tettnanger for bittering and an aroma addition of Spalt at 20 mins before flame out. This is where we decided to go a little bit off-piste; sticking with Perle only for bittering, but swapping in Mittelfruh for aroma and then a Saaz dry hop at an appropriate point during fermentation… all very exciting eh?!? Wait, what, was that? Czech Saaz, you say…
Small acts of war against German brewing tradition aside, the thinking here was that Saaz as a dry hop would lend this beer a bohemian edge and amplify the aroma qualities of the Mittelfruh added at the end of the boil. Flame out and transfer of 57 litres of quite delicious smelling wort began. It was then we noticed that transfer was taking slightly longer than was expected; which was diagnosed as a combination of delinquent pump and a thick layer of trub lining the bottom of the kettle.
Transfer done and gravity sample collected at 1058, slightly lower than expected but still within a couple of points of our target gravity. Ready then to take an extended slumber with a mighty pitch of Wyeast 1007. So we’ve told you “the why” and “the how” of this beer, we’re fairly sure you can guess “the when”... Which means it needs a name, and what’s the wurst that could happen there? Say hello to “Services to Sausages” landing typically in both cask (pin) and keg at a grassroots charity beer festival near you.
As always, Andy, being the nicest guy in brewing, was more than generous with his time and particularly with post-brew pints from the superb Elusive Tap Room. If you haven’t been, you surely should! These pints were followed with “some cans hanging around from a collab”. I mean, only Heavy Riff goodness! And then a bottle of Maiden… which quickly segued into closing the tap room and heading over to Siren’s tap room. About 45 seconds walk away. Here we managed to buy Andy some beers back, before a “Mrs Andy” aka the lovely and amazing Jane gave us a lift to Wokingham station so that we could get a train back to Reading. There might even have been a stop off at the Siren bar in Reading, but things were possibly getting a little hazy at this juncture.
Another tremendous day out with Elusive, some great beers drank, and hopefully a fantastic beer brewed for you all to drink in November. Thank you so much to Ian for keeping Chris up to date with the cricket, Jane for being amazing, and last but absolutely not least, Andy for being an amazing host. As always.
See you in November!
Thank you Chris & Tim. For the words, the pictures and for forgetting you were there to brew a Potato & Lactose IPA!
Most of all, thank you to Andy for having us. And for brewing this beer EXCLUSIVELY for a little Grassroots Beer Event in Salford. (I’m getting teary….)
Tickets for our humble bash are still available here. With Friday evening session now almost sold out.
Back soon. Be kind to one another.
Jim x
Last Piece Of The Jigsaw
I'll say this until I'm blue in the face.
“The Independent Salford Beer Festival isn't flash. It isn't fancy. It isn't ‘hype’.” It's a Grassroots beer event, stripped back. Just simple, relaxed, easy going, friendly.
It's what - and who - we are.
Keeping it simple removes complications. And we don't do complicated.
Keeping it simple means that people who've been before know exactly what to expect next time. And - generally speaking - once someone has been to ISBF, they come back.
That also rings very true for sponsors.
A few weeks ago, I had A Facebook “memory”. That thing you get from exactly a year before.
This particular “memory” was encouraging people to sponsor a beer.
What struck me was that whilst in August ‘23 we still had sponsorship opportunities, at the time the “memory” popped up, ALL of the sponsorship opportunities for 2024 - except one - had been taken over 2 months before.
They'd all gone in June.
And when that happened, I was astonished. It showed the love that there is for this event and what it is here for. Yes, to bring you 80+ beers that you've never had before. But the main reason, the reason that this event continues, is to support a cause.
And START Inspiring Minds is one of the finest.
Like I said above, ALL of the sponsorship opportunities had gone back in June.
Except one.
Glassware Sponsorship.
Since 2015, we've had a Glassware Sponsor every single year. Just one sponsor per year. (Like I said earlier, I like to keep things simple - no multiple labels on our Glassware!)
The sponsors have always been small independent bars or Micro Pubs.
This year however was different. Lots of interest from bars, lots of enquiries, but nothing was firmed up. Each enquiring bar would have been a perfect fit, but hospitality isn't in the place it was. For what we were offering, the money wasn't there.
And I was OK with not having a sponsor. Took me back to Year 1. We didn't have one then either, didn't think anyone would want to. So didn't ask.
But one evening, 2 or 3 beers deep on a Zoom call, I remembered an email exchange from a couple of years ago. So thought “**** it. What have I got to lose?
So I sent an email, with the subject title - literally - starting “Worth A Shot”.
And I received a broadly positive initial response. THAT started a conversation.
And then there was another interest that came in, following a conversation from a month previously……
And then, one evening a couple of weeks ago, I received two messages in the space of 3 minutes. (I kid you not!)
The first was really interested, but couldn't do this year, they didn't need the Glassware ATM, but next year, they'd be very interested….
The second came in with a positive.
YES!!!!! (You couldn't even START to believe what that meant!)
BOTH companies mean so much to me (Jim) personally. The fact that both were interested at all was incredibly humbling.
But yes. The final piece of the sponsorship jigsaw.
We have a Glassware Sponsor ❤️
The Pub/Bar in question is owned by a Yorkshire Pub company that has 6 pubs/bars.
One of which isn't in Yorkshire….
I've been in awe of some of these pubs since the 90s. Beautiful interiors and great beer do that to me.
But there was one in particular that grabbed me.
The one that's not in Yorkshire (because it's closer)
I first went with some colleagues in the mid 90s. I have clear memories of sitting outside, looking across the valley towards the Pennines, drinking some exceptionally well kept beer that was exotic - because it was from an independent brewery (Free Houses were fairly rare in those days) - and just thinking that I wished I had somewhere like this closer to home.
In later years, because I worked near a public transport hub, when I fancied somewhere to get an exceptional pint, that wasn't in Manchester, I’d jump the train and head over….
It helps that it regularly stocks some of my favourite cask breweries. Mallinsons, Redwillow and it's the easiest pub to get to to drink North Riding.
Always a tug on my heartstrings…. Have you guessed yet?
I popped over yesterday. To get some pictures, drop some posters etc. And the place never changes.
Exceptional beer. Tick.
Friendly service. Tick.
Busy. Tick.
Multi-Roomed. Tick.
Friendly - got chatting to the couple next to me - Tick.
If you live in either Lancashire or Yorkshire (arguably even Cheshire), love beer and have travelled between the two by train, chances are…..
Have you guessed yet?
Joining the ranks of some of the best bars in The North (which means - of course - THE WORLD! 😉)
Heaton Hops
The Brink
Torrside Tap
The Northern Type
House of Hops
Petersgate Tap
The Nook & Cranny
Tom's Tap & Brewhouse
The Old School Taphouse
We've got….
Yup, it's……
..... and I couldn't be more thrilled….
I simply adore the place. And the fit with ISBF.
Classic. Independent. Huge supporters of Micro Breweries.
They'll do for us.
Thank you to Barry, the team at Beerhouses and the team at the mighty Stalyvegas Buffet Bar!
Well. That's the sponsorship jigsaw complete.
Next up, let's talk about Collaboration Brewdays!
But that's for the next post……
Come join us, grab your tickets here - while you still can!
Back soon.
Be kind to one another.
Jim. X
Heart & Soul - What Makes ISBF..... ISBF
As I've said before, The Independent Salford Beer Festival (aka #ISBF9) is a rather niche little grassroots event.
It has grown organically, by word of mouth, both in person and over social media, via posts from attendees over the years.
1st Home - St Sebastian's Community Centre
The first ever session, on Friday 24th October 2014 had 34 visitors. The room wasn't huge, but looked sparse!
That year, we still managed to raise over £5k and kept St Sebastian’s Community Centre books in the credit column.
Next year, via word of mouth, more came. Number of beers increased by 25% (36 > 45 - all still cask), costs increased, but we still raised over £5.5k.
Objective achieved. The Centre stayed in credit.
2015 - St Sebastian's
Next year, we built again. Added a small - but rather special - #EvilKegFilth selection (ironically, in a room that functioned as an office for a Catholic priest…….I may have put a poster on the door…….)
Another Classic From Mr Heggs
More people came.
That was the year that I started to truly realise that this was more than a beer event. People I barely knew threw their arms around us. Comforted and consoled us.
This was not just an event held in a Community Centre, this was actually BECOMING a Community. Not just focused around beer. But caring. A community of like minds.
The #ISBF Family - 2016
Yes. The beer was fabulous - it always has been - but many of the people came for an annual get together. Like minds, renewing friendships. Friendships formed at this very same event.
I won't bore you with further escalations, the move to a larger venue (Hemsley House) led to more people, again mostly brought via reputation and word of mouth.
But, what I truly love about this event? Despite moving to a larger venue, we never lost that feeling. That sense of Community.
#ISBF Family 2023
I love that people come, each year, to renew friendships with people they live hundreds of miles away from. They come to Salford.
How about that? We built something. By word of mouth. Something that is loved. And is about the people, despite how good the beer is.
There is no marketing budget with this event. We don't spend what we don't need to. Our best advertisements are the people who come to Hemsley House. Or who came to St Sebastian’s….
"RH"
"TS"
"MW"
We make no grand or sweeping claims about this event. You'll never hear “Best ever…… “ type statements, or hype of any kind, from us. We’re not comfortable with that…
That's not who we are.
It’s nice though, when others say nice things….
"PG"
"PT"
"RH"
"BP"
Comments like these make my day. Makes all the stress worthwhile.
As I've said - on many occasions - the people make the event. Both the #ISBFFamily and those who come to spend their time with us, sampling lovely new beers.
Want to join them? The (current) Brewery List is contained in here. Tickets are available here. We still have some left!
Come & join us.
#ISBF9 - Let's Do This
The first thing that I need to say is - The Independent Salford Beer Festival exists (and always has) to support a good cause. This event is decidedly “Not For Profit”…
It was founded in early 2014 to provide much needed funds to support St Sebastian's Community Centre on Douglas Green in Salford. The Centre run by Gerry Stone, an inspirational lady without whom, my life (Jim) would be radically different.
Being incredibly well connected within the City of Salford, in 2018 - when I decided that I wanted to carry on - through her contacts in Salford City Council, I was put in contact with Stan Jackson, the Chair of Hemsley House, the beautiful building on The Crescent that we now call Home.
She also had more than a small hand in locating a good cause. Gerry is family. And we instinctively knew that START Inspiring Minds was the Charity for us. A place and people that, through creative arts, guide people away from MH Trauma and the darkest of thoughts. It’s a wonderful space that a few of us have been lucky enough to visit.
TBF, if it wasn’t for supporting that lovely Charity, this event might no longer exist. Supporting that cause keeps us going.
As we’ve said on many occasions, this event is “different”. Call it “niche”, call it “grassroots”, it isn’t fancy, it isn’t flash. We make no grandiose claims about it. Other than that we believe it to be the most relaxed and friendliest event that we can make it.
It also has a reputation for exceptional beer. We’re lucky like that, in that our friends - the brewers - get what we’re about. They understand and support the cause, by pulling out all the proverbial stops and supply beers that meet the ISBF MO. Beers that are new to the Manchester area. And whilst that can never be guaranteed, year after year, they pull it off.
I think we’re even tied in to helping to brew at about 15 breweries this year!
And we have - for certain - got the loveliest of people behind the bars and helping throughout - though they give of themselves freely, they’re not volunteers. They’re the #ISBFFamily.
Beer People Are Good People (now where have I heard that before?) :-)
And for all of that stuff about the Beer (and Cider, natch), it’s always been the people that matter at this event. If I had £10 for each time somebody told me about the friends they met at this event, I might not need to work. People matter. At this event, they always have.
So. As at 7th November, what are we going to have for you?
Well, there’ll be Beer. 80 Beers to be precise. To be even MORE precise, 60 on keg, 20 on cask.
There’ll also be Cider, with a small - but very pretty and select - range in both Keg & Bottle.
There’ll also be a small - and again, select - range of Gins & Wines.
Food, as always at Hemsley House, will be prepared in house and - whilst not “street food” fancy, will be tasty.
We’ll have tunes from Jo & Mike and their amazing “Rebellious Jukebox” (every year, almost from 6pm on Thursday, every tune is by request!)
We’ll also have the fabulous George Fell - with his magical guitar - playing on the Friday & Saturday evening sessions. To listen is to be enchanted.
We’ll also have a couple of Beer talky type thingies on the Friday Evening & Saturday Lunch. One of which I know and the other, well, it will be a nice surprise to me! More details as these are confirmed.
But what you want to know are the Breweries, so….
Cask
Blue Bee
Brass Castle
Brewsmith
Burton Bridge (1st Time ISBF)
Chin Chin
Durham
Five Towns
Green Duck
The Kernel
Lark Hill Brewery
Mallinsons
Marble
North Riding
Pictish
Redwillow
Roosters
Sunken Knave (1st Time ISBF)
Torrside
Riverhead (1st Time ISBF)
Wigan Brewhouse
Keg
Abbeydale Funk
Ampersand
Anthology
Ascapart (1st Time ISBF)
Balance (1st Time Draft at ISBF)
Blackjack
Brewery of St Mars of the Desert
Bullhouse Brewery (1st Time ISBF)
Campervan
Chain House
Cloudwater
Crossover Blendery
Docks
Dolphin
Double Barrelled
Duration (1st Time ISBF)
Earth
Elusive
Epochal
Fell Brewery
Field Recordings (1st Time ISBF)
First & Last
Holy Goat
Horsforth
Ideal Day Family Brewery
Infinity Brewing (1st Time ISBF)
Kernel
Kirkstall (1st Time ISBF)
Lakes
Little Earth
Lost & Grounded
Lost Cause Brewing
Manchester Union (1st Time ISBF)
Marble (C or K?)
Maverick Brewing (1st Time ISBF)
McColls
Neptune
Northern Alchemy
Northern Monk
Otherworld Brewing
Pastore
Pomona
Rigg & Furrow
Rivington
Runaway
Simple Things Fermentations
Siren
Sureshot
Temper Brewing
Thornbridge
Toms
Torrside
Track
Trig (1st Time ISBF)
Turning Point
Wild Horse (1st Time ISBF)
Wilderness
Wishbone
Before I run off and hide, I want to thank all of our lovely sponsors. The Beers and Ciders were sponsored in record time (I’ve even had a few people approach me in the last couple of weeks!). You all can’t BEGIN to understand how much this means. Programme, Posters, Adverts, it all adds up.
I think that’s YOU with something in your eye!
A little breakdown of the Sessions…..
Thursday - Low Key (Much smaller session) - All beers are on so there’s a GUARANTEE that those in on Thursday evening will have the run of ALL the Beers & Ciders (#First ChanceThursday) Oh….And 25% of the tickets have already gone to Sponsors (not to mention those bought earlier tonight at the Ticket Launch Bash!) #DontMissOut
Friday Lunch - Again, Low Key (same numbers as Thursday) - All beers should be available (as they should until Saturday Lunch really). You’ll have the run of ALL the Beers & Ciders (#ThirstyFriday). And 30% of the tickets have already gone to Sponsors (not to mention those bought earlier tonight at the Ticket Launch Bash!) #DontMissOut
Friday Evening - One of the two busiest sessions. All beers should be available (as they should until Saturday Lunch really). You’ll have the run of ALL the Beers & Ciders (#ThirstyFriday). But this session always sells out, usually in 24 hours. We’ll have live music from George Fell (and maybe a little side event/beer chat) #DontMissOut
Saturday Lunch - One of the two busiest sessions. All beers should be available. You should have the run of ALL the Beers & Ciders (small numbers of beers start to “kick” on this session). This session always sells out, Within 24 hours. We may a little side event/beer chat. Almost 40% of tickets have already gone to Sponsors (not to mention those bought earlier tonight at the Ticket Launch Bash!) #DontMissOut
Saturday Evening - The Chill Out Session. Almost all beers and Ciders are still on, but this session is priced accordingly. We’ll have live music from George Fell and likely the most relaxed feel you’ll experience in a beer event. My favourite session.
Oh yes, before I go, tickets for our humble little bash are on sale now. Here’s the link…..
See you in November!
Be kind to one another.
Back soon with updates and stuff…..
Jim x