REAL ale lovers in South Cheshire can enjoy a double Bank Holiday beer bonanza this weekend (August 27-30).
Two beer festivals are being put on by publicans Jon and Lindsay Cox, licensees of both the Bull, Shocklach, near Malpas and the recently reopened Yew Tree at Bunbury, near Tarporley.
Forty beers are on offer from Friday night throughout the weekend at the two popular village inns. At the Bull 20 beers from Cumbria and the North West will be showcased while Yew Tree manager Ed Warrington has selected ales from South West England to run alongside more local tipples.
For the Bull it will be the fifth beer festival since the couple put new life into the abandoned village hostelry three years ago, winning praise since from both Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide and the Michelin Guide.
The beer festival is the first special event at the Yew Tree since it was re-launched in June following a major refurbishment to create a community pub and quality dining venue.
Jon Cox said: “In our time at the Bull the beer festivals have been a huge success and we are looking forward to another busy festival. We thought it only fair that we should also give our new customers at the Yew Tree a taste of some great new cask ales. This is the first of several events that are planned there over the next few months.
“Between the two pubs there will forty ales available from Friday night until Monday along with the normal food offer at both pubs, except for Sunday when we will offer a barbecue food along with a live music night.”
On Sunday the Yew Tree will see a performance from Krystyna Miles with a five piece band. Krystyna has just been signed with Decca Records and is currently working on her debut album with Coldplay producer Ken Nelson. The Bull will host top Manchester’s band Beggarjoe. Both events are free entry all weekend.
