The organisers of Dorchester Beerex, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and charity partner Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary club are pleased to announce that tickets for the 33rd Dorchester Beerex held in the Corn Exchange will be on general sale from Wednesday December 1st. The popular event which attracts beer connoisseurs from near and far along with local customers returns on Friday February 4th and Saturday the 5th with lunchtime and evening sessions.
This year’s ticket outlets are as follows.
- The Convivial Rabbit and Copper St Brewery; Dorchester along with the Brace of Butchers Poundbury.
- The Belvedere Inn; Weymouth.
- Online via camrawdorset.org.uk
Tickets are to be sold in advance only and cost £10 per head which includes a commemorative glass, 2 halves of beer and a colour programme which list the full selection of up to 80 beers and around 21 ciders with full tasting notes plus more.
Due to the present conditions with Covid 19 and any other possible winter outbreaks, customers will be asked to leave contact details on purchase of ticket, this is to be able to trace customers in the event of an incident.
To start with organisers are issuing only 250 tickets per session and will be monitoring closely the growing winter climate along with government advice. If all goes to plan a second batch of tickets will be available early in January 2022.
This year’s Dorchester Beerex committee chairman Ellis Ford said “After what has seemed like an eternity Dorchester Beerex is back for its 33rd festival. It has been an honour for me to be chairman of the event and working with a great team who work hard year in year out to make the event happen” He went on to say “With Covid still with us safety is our main priority, and we are working to enable customers have a safe, fun experience while at the same time helping us raise thousands for local charities”
This year’s festival main principal charity will be the Dorchester Youth & Community Centre (DYCC) situated on Kings Rd, Dorchester. Kate Parkham the Youth Work Manager from DYCC said on hearing of being nominated as principal charity “We are delighted that Dorchester Beerex have made us the main charity for 2022. The funds raised will make a huge difference, helping us to provide young people a safe space to socialise along with a range of activities and support. Thank you to everyone at Dorchester Beerex”.
The festival started in 1988 and has always raised funding for local good causes. To the present date in excess of £200K has been raised and the festival has always had support from local breweries with this year’s main festival sponsor seeing the return of Bridport family brewery Palmers who have been principal sponsor now for the last seven festivals. Sales & Marketing Director Cleeves Palmer said “Palmer’s brewery are delighted to sponsor Dorchester Beerex again in 2022. We thoroughly enjoyed being the main sponsor for much of the last decade but sadly this year will be the last year that we are the primary sponsor, it is important that the one brewer does not hog the limelight for too long!” He went on to say “After the Covid interruption in all our lives it is great news that plans are well advanced for the 2022 festival. I hope you all enjoy Beerex at the same time as supporting very worthy local charities. My kindest regards to you all”.
The festival relies on strong support via barrel sponsorship and raffle donations, if you are a local company and would like to help support the event, please call 07977 918130 to speak to Dave our barrel sponsorship co-ordinator.
To keep up to date on further announcements please follow local media outlets or go to www.beerex.co.uk and our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
2022 Beerex Chairman Ellis Ford, left, with Cleeves Palmer of Palmers Brewery. Photo credit, Rich Gabe
