Come and have your say about beer in Manchester and beyond at this lively free event to held in the foyer of Manchester Central at 15.00 on Saturday 21st January.
Chaired by Festival Deputy Organiser and beer writer, Peter Alexander, this will give you a chance to ask our expert panel a question, so bring one along with you.
The subject of the debate will be loosely based around “The Changing Beer Scene” but as long as your question is beery and relevant, that’s just fine.
Our panel will consist of:
Richard Burhouse @MagicRockRich :
Richard is owner and founder of Magic Rock brewery based in Huddersfield. Magic Rock are a leading “new wave brewery producing among other beers Human Cannonball, High Wire and Dark Arts. Beers are produced in keg, can and cask form. Inspired by the US brewing scene, Richard has forthright opinions.
Come along and challenge him if you dare.
Alex Brodie @HawksheadAlex :
A former BBC Foreign Correspondent, Alex founded Hawkshead Brewery in 2002 and has been brewing a huge range of traditional and modern beer styles in the Lake District since then. Now based in the fantastic Beer Hall in Staveley, Alex is a firm supporter of cask beer, but not afraid to experiment, with a wide range of beers such as Windermere Pale, Cumbrian 5 Hop, Sundown, Chuckleberry Sour, Key Lime Tau and many more, in bottle, keg, cask and can. Join us and enjoy his views on the current beer scene.
Matthew Curtis @TotalCurtis :
Matt is a full time beer writer and presenter. He founded the award winning blog Total Ales and unusually uses photography as well as words to show beer and beer writing at its best. Matt presents beer tasting sessions at his residency at the Duke’s Head in London and is an avid supporter of modern British Brewing with an American edge. But he likes his cask beer too. He is on the Committee of the British Guild of Beer Writers.
Roger Protz @RogerProtzBeer:
Roger is a journalist and Britain’s leading Beer Writer and has edited CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide since 2000 and previously from 1978 to 1983. Roger’s many books about beer include The World Beer Guide, 300 Beers to Try Before You Die and the Real Ale Almanac. In 2016 he edited Beer Anthology (CAMRA Books) and Historic Coaching Inns on the Great North Road will be published in April. A former editor of Socialist Worker, Roger now describes himself as a “Green Socialist” and as a true Eastender is a devoted fan of West Ham United FC. He knows a lot about beer. Come and test him!
Peter Alexander @tandleman :
Peter will chair the meeting using his vast experience of chairing meetings from his role as Chairman of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury CAMRA and before that, many years as a Trade Union Chairman in Liverpool. Expect firm and fair chairing with a splash of humour. Like Matt, Peter is also a beer writer, and blogs as Tandleman.
Attendees please note: There will be limited free beer for ticket holders. Click here to reserve your place.