THACKLEY TRUMPIT JULY 2014 BEER FESTIVAL

     The Thackley Trumpit

( Incorporating ‘The Idle Chatterer’ & ‘The Closing Times’ )

Tel. 07944969335   Email: billco@blueyonder.co.uk       

             Idle Beer Festival Success                                                 

By Alex Mohammed

It was with some sadness I looked out of my window on the evening of Friday the 27th of June to an overcast, grey sky. Darker clouds loomed ominously in the distance just to add to the likelihood that the weather was going to turn for the worse. I’d been asked to head up to the Idle and Hepworth’s Beer Festival to get a report on the event and had hoped for some better weather. Despite this, I grabbed a coat in case the heavens opened, strapped on my boots, grabbed a writing pad and set off on the relatively short walk to my friend Matts house, who had agreed to head up to the festival for a bit. As I set off, raindrops started to fall and my glasses gathered the usual condensation. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes, and after a short walk, I reached Matts’ house then together we journeyed forth to the Beer Festival.
We arrived to a small gathering of people huddled near a TV watching Andy Murray play at Wimbledon. I was introduced to Jen, one of the organisers of the event, who was very friendly and made us both feel very welcome. We handed over some money which was for entry and a glass for the evening, as well as some tickets which were used to get the various beers, as the bar was cash free. All that remained then was to try some of the many great beers on offer from the great local breweries. To this end, we grabbed a menu and perused until we selected our drinks. Food was also on offer, and many people went on to partake of mushy peas and hotdogs and the like. We decided to start off with two drinks: a delicious Raspberry Blonde and a beautiful porter called Bright Black Porter. They were both really top notch drinks and set the standard high. A standard, I am glad to say, which remained for the whole evening.
All of the breweries were from the local area and really delivered. On offer were beers from Oates Brewery, Ilkley Brewery, Partners Brewery, Roosters Brewing Co, Elland Brewery, Naylors Brewery, Copper Dragon Brewery, Ossett Brewery, Saltaire Brewery, Salamander Brewery, Wharfebank Brewery and Goose Eye Brewery. Matt and I made it our mission to have at least one beer from each brewery. A fun challenge, I admit, and a tasteful one. We enjoyed ourselves increasingly as we made our way through the beers which included various blondes, hoppy ales and bitters. The prices were all very reasonable too, which is always a bonus! Having opened around 7, the Beer Festival was quiet only for a short period. Within an hour or so, the room was bustling with the locals who joined in whole-heartedly with the drinking. It was great to see that, regardless of the dreary weather, a great sense of community prevailed to give a good turn-out and make the event memorable. We tried a good few more beers including Old Ale, Tabatha and a particularly tasteful IPA called Fort Smith. There continued to be an altogether friendly feel to the event, with everyone talking animatedly and recounting tales to their friends, all the while steadily and happily drinking away. The 12th Idle Beer Festival was off to a flier!
Although Matt and I didn’t really know anyone at the event, we soon were taken in by the contagious atmosphere and got talking to a few of the people around us. It was good fun, telling jokes and stories and making such bad puns which had all of us laughing. The room continued to get more and more packed as the night went on and the atmosphere became further animated as people consumed more of the delightful beers on offer. Everyone was in high spirits, and some of the kids took advantage of a rare brightening in the sky to mess about with a football. The event had a real family feel to it, and the kids appeared to enjoy it just as much as their parents. This atmosphere was added to by a local band, Good Citizens, who played a number of covers. It was nice to hear some good ole’ music and I especially liked their rendition of Madness’ “It must be love” which they really made their own.
As the festival drew to a close I saw a few friends I hadn’t seen in some time, one of the downsides of everyone heading in their own directions as we get older. It was good to spend some time talking to them and catching up, as well as reminiscing about good times back when we were younger. This seemed to me one of the best things about the event; this was happening all over and catching up with friends is always an enjoyable experience. Undoubtedly this helped add to the overall impression I have left of the event, that it was mighty fun. I would also like to thank all the people who worked on the Idle and Hepworth Beer Festival, as well as all the breweries who helped make the night what it was and I am sure others who attended would join me in echoing that sentiment. I look forward to returning to the event next year, when I am sure it will be just as much a success.