Saltaire 2009

Beer Festival Workers Social and "Beer of the festival" awards

Sat 25^th July 2009. Our coach arrived in Humberstone Gate for a 9.30 departure with the Hinckley & Bosworth members already on board along with quite a few miscreants collected on the way. With approximately 45 people on board and a reasonable day forecast we set off for Yorkshire.

The day was to serve two purposes, a thank you day out for our hard working festival volunteers and a chance to present some awards for our "2009 Beer of the Festival". The Old Spot Brewery in Cullingworth near Bradford was our winner this year but the brewery is on a farm and was unable to cater for us. It was suggested by the brewer and owner; Julian Hargreaves that we could have the presentation at the Saltaire Brewery in Shipley. This tied in very nicely as they too won two awards at our festival and they were duly contacted and agreed to host the event.

We arrived just before lunchtime and made our way to the brewery on foot. The Saltaire Brewery is based in a Victorian former electricity generating room for the Shipley Tram system. A Victorian shell but a very modern 20BBL brewery sits inside supplied by Mosechle of Germany. On the bar was Saltaire Raspberry Blonde 4.0%, Winner of our "Speciality Beer" Category and their new Empress IPA 5.0%. To complement these was our "Beer of the Festival" - Old Spot Breweries Spot O' Bother 5.5% and Light but Dark 4.2%. The other award presented was for Saltaire Triple Chocoholic, 2nd in the Porter / Stout Category and sadly not available during our visit.

After a session sampling the wonderful beers at £2 per pint, Andy Sales our Beer and Brewery Co-ordinator for the beer festival gathered the group together and presented the awards. 

L-R Saltaire Brewery, Andy Sales presents Tony Stephenson from Saltaire with 1st prize for Raspberry Blonde, Andy Sales presents Julian Hargreaves with Beer of the Festival, the awards.

Pictures Keith Williams.

Our group then made their way to The Junction at Bailden, just a short walk from the brewery. This pub is run by Brighton Bill who is also the Chairman of Bradford CAMRA. Bill accompanied us at the brewery beforehand as he is also BLO for both Old Spot and Saltaire as well!. There was a superb range of beers on here and once our party had supped Bobs - Summer Solstice 4.5% we were treated to another Old Spot beer in the shape of Inn Spired at 4.3%. A cellar run was also available for those who wanted more!

Time came for part three of the trip and a visit to Huddersfield for approx 3 hours.

Although Huddersfield is not that far, a mystery tour then ensued including a wonderful 3 point turn with the coach and an added trip towards Manchester on the M62. Mine host Mr Satterly and Dennis both eventually realised Huddersfield was in Yorkshire after all!

We were given maps of Huddersfield and dropped outside The Star pub where there was a large selection of beers on tap. The party split at this point and people visited the wonderful pubs in Huddersfield including the Sportsman, Rat & Ratchet, The Grove and the Kings Head on the railway station.

Thanks once again to Keith for organising a pleasant day out and to Dennis for his perfect 3 point turn.

Andy Sales

This page last updated: July 29, 2009

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