Cold turkey is off the menu
While everyone may be planning a traditional Christmas dinner, organisers at the biggest beer and cider festival in the North have been hatching their own festive fare to be dished up next month.
The Manchester Beer and Cider Festival 2017 takes place at Manchester Central. Alongside a staggering array of beers and ciders, visitors can expect a stunning selection of street food traders from across the country.
Feedback from the last festival focused organisers’ minds on how the food offer could be improved. The CAMRA organising team worked with the venue to share experiences from beer festivals as small as local brewery taps to the giant of the annual Great British Beer Festival held at London’s Olympia. And whether drinkers fancy a snack to accompany great ale or plan to have something more substantial, there’ll be sustenance suitable for everyone.
Handmade Cornish Pasties will not only be shipping up the South West delicacy, but also baking vegan and gluten pastries. Also from the region, The Muffin Man and Company specialise in traditional English muffins with a variety of delicious fillings. They are proud to source ingredients locally, and have proved very popular at other beer festivals.
A traditional favourite with a contemporary twist is promised by Viva La Toastie. Based in Cheshire, expect the county’s cheese on sourdough bread and so much more. Pies are a festival staple, but The Crusty Pie Company from Bradford promise the ultimate pork pie experience. And adding to the Yorkshire influence, The Pickled Porker specialise in applewood smoked pulled pork and the intriguingly-named Yorkshire Tapas.
Lancashire is represented by What’s Your Beef, specialising in ground steak burgers in brioche buns. They admit to using Himalayan salt and coconut oil, although the main ingredients are locally-sourced. And long-time supporters of CAMRA, Pipers Crisps of Lincolnshire will be offering the tried and trusted accompaniment to a pint.
Organiser Graham Donning said: “Our festival goers expect some of the best beers and ciders at Manchester, and we plan to add to their enjoyment with this fantastic selection of varied food concessions. We’ve worked with the venue to bring some of the outstanding street trader foodstalls, many of whom have experience with beer festivals up and down the country. We are confident they will make the 2017 festival bigger and better.”
The festival has grown consistently and for 2017 will offer 30% more floorspace – and more seating – than ever before. It is organised by the combined expertise of the eight Greater Manchester CAMRA branches. Offering nineteen separate bars, it has become an essential entry in most beer lovers’ calendars.
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival runs from Thursday 19th to Saturday 21st January 2017. General entry tickets are available from www.mancbeerfest.uk (more…)