BEERS from seven kingdoms is the theme for the Isle of Man’s first real ale festival to be held at the Masonic Hall in Douglas later this month.
The three-day festival features a range of 60-plus beers as well as ciders, perries and fruit wines.
Two beers are to be launched on the opening night with special guest Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood pulling the first pint of a Bushy’s golden ale, brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the TT Marshals’ Association in 1962. Okells, too, will be unveiling a new ale on the same night.
In addition there will be beers ranging from session ales like Timothy Taylor’s Golden Best to Baltic Trader Imperial Stout, a dark and creamy beer which, at 10 per cent ABV, should be a force to be reckoned with. Stronger beers will be sold in third-of-a-pint measures. There will also be fruit, chocolate and even normal beers from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man – five of the seven kingdoms said to be visible from Snaefell summit. The other two – Neptune and Heaven – are represented by, among others, Iceberg (Titanic Brewery) and Stairway to Heaven (Burton Bridge).
The festival runs from April 12 to 14. For more details see www.iombeerfestival.com