BEER LOVERS will be in paradise this weekend, thanks to the annual Twyford Beer Festival.
The volunteer-run event will once again return to the King George V Memorial Field for two days of music and drinking.
And to meet demand, the site this year is bigger and better with new additions including a gin bar. Payments can also be made by credit and debit cards as well as cash and visitors buy tokens from the front desk to make it quicker to get pints from the bar.
Tomorrow’s (Friday) first session will include an opportunity to meet brewers, ask them questions and learn more about the craft of creating real ale.
And on both days there will be live music and entertainment to enjoy as well as an opportunity to meet volunteers from Orchid, the male cancer charity that the event is held for.
More than 70 different real ales will be served, along with 20 ciders, a selection of Pimms, and soft drinks, with an emphasis on local breweries including Binghams and Stardust. Some of the beers will be gluten free.
Last year, the team behind Festival raised more than £10,000 from Twyford, plus running bars at Wokingham Festival, Twyford Parish Fete and Hurst’s Party in the Park. This year they are looking to beat it.
Ian Wisdom, who is the chief organiser, said: “It’s just £3.50 per pint and it’s £5 to get in. That includes a limited edition glasses, and they are very popular – once they’re gone they’re gone.”
Being family-friendly, Mr Wisdom said that the festival attracts a wide mixture of people and drinks menu is suitable for all tastes.
“There will be lots of choice on offer this year and our meet the brewer event on Friday is good fun.
“We also have a new beer coming from Stardust Brewery: It will be the first time it will be on sale, and we’re proud to have it. I like to support the smaller breweries where we can.
“I’ve ordered good stocks of beer to last us for the weekend – we should have enough but if supplies are running low, we can get some emergency supplies sent to us.
“Loddon Brewery have been a real help to us, allowing us to store beer in their storeroom ahead of the festival.”
And there’s more to the event than just beer.
Mr Wisdom explained: “Throughout the weekend, we’ll have bands or acoustic music playing to jolly things along. It’s hard to single out any one band, but The Mighty Triple O are headlining on Saturday from 7pm and they’re lovely.
“Like RushKeeper, who played last year, they are amazing.
“And all the bands are donating their time for free so we can raise more money for Orchid. We’re really grateful to them.”
He added: “We have a very committed team of volunteers who all work their socks off to make the festival so popular.
“They know what Orchid means to me as a charity – I’ve told them enough times! I’m delighted that a team from the charity will be on site to meet our guests.”
There’s more: Andrew Watts from Maidenhead-based financial firm Watt Money has supported the festival.
“Andy has made a significant donation towards the running costs of the festival, he’s such a nice bloke,” Mr Wisdom said. “He’s also gave Orchid an extra donation when we presented them with our profits last year.”
And that’s the aim of the festival: make as much money as possible for the cancer charity.
Mr Wisdom said: “If we sell 5,000 pints I will be enormously happy. It will be a huge chunk of change for Orchid.”
Twyford Beer Festival is open from 5pm to 11pm on Friday and noon to 10pm on Saturday. Entry is £5. For more details, log on to www.twyfordbeerfest.co.uk
