by Rich Gabe, Press Officer and Social Secretary, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).
Weymouth’s premier beer festival is set to return now in its 20 year, organised by volunteers from the west Dorset branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) currently celebrating the branch’s 50th golden anniversary.
The festival will once again be held in the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room, with seating for over 300 customers on October 16th & 17th with spectacular views over Weymouth bay.
As it’s the festival’s 20th year organisers wanted to reflect on the first ever festival with a return to beers from the West Country. Bar manager Rich Gabe said “Since we first took over the running of the festival the beer and brewery market has drastically changed and not always for the better. As there are so many breweries within the original West Country counties of 20 years ago we have decided to concentrate on beers from Cornwall, Devon & Dorset this year and Dorset, Somerset & Wiltshire next year. There will be breweries we have never had at Weymouth before alongside well respected favourites.” In total there will be over 50 cask conditioned ales and 12 traditionally produced ciders and Perries.
The festival sees a welcome return by Dorchester based Copper St Brewery who are currently establishing new premises in Dorchester on The Grove with 1799 the former army hospital. Copper St has previously sponsored two bars. Copper St owner and brewer Alistair Burrell said “I am really looking forward to getting the brewery back on-line in its new location of 1799, and to seeing familiar and new faces at the event. There are some surprises on the horizon.
Session times:
- Friday lunchtime – 11:00 to 16:00
- Friday evening – 18:30 to 23:00
- Saturday lunchtime – 11:00 to 16:00
- Saturday evening – 18:30 to 23:00
Tickets are on sale from 1st August, priced at £12.50 per session. Non-CAMRA member tickets include a souvenir glass, programme and £5 of tokens. CAMRA member tickets include a souvenir glass, programme and £10 of tokens.
On Saturday evening, non-CAMRA members get £7.50 of tokens included with their ticket, and CAMRA member tickets get £12.50 of tokens included.
CAMRA members will need to present a current membership card on entry to the festival.
Furthermore, anyone producing a student ID card will be able to claim an extra £5 of tokens from the CAMRA stand at the festival, and on the Saturday evening session anyone with a Blue Light Card can also claim an extra £5 of tokens.
With such an exciting range of beer and cider on offer, customers are urged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointment from the following outlets:
- On line at Weymouthpavilion.com or by phoning 01305 783225. Tickets bought from the Pavilion are £15.50 each.
- Alternatively, you can buy tickets in person in Weymouth from The Dolphin, The Globe and The Doghouse pubs, or direct from the Pavilion box office.
- Portland, The Royal Portland Arms
- Dorchester, Copper Street Brewery Tap and The Convivial Rabbit are also stocking our tickets.
