Delighted organisers of the annual Shrewsbury Beer Festival – which was cancelled last year and attracts visitors from as far as America – have announced this year’s event will take place.
The Shrewsbury and West Shropshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale was forced to postpone last year’s 20th anniversary event because they could not find a suitable venue.
But organisers have revealed to the Chronicle that this year’s festival will take place at The Severn Cellars on September 17-18.
The event had traditionally been held in the Music Hall, which is now closed. In 2008 the show was held at the former Buttermarket nightclub, but organisers said they could not find a suitable venue last year. Nigel Bevan, group secretary, said he was delighted that the branch could finally celebrate their 20th anniversary in the town.
“We were disappointed that the festival was cancelled last year and are determined to come back with a bang.
“We have already had people from as far as Ireland and America asking us about whether the festival was going ahead this year.”
Meanwhile, another beer festival featuring more than 70 beers will be held in Shrewsbury’s town centre next month.
Seven pubs around the River Severn loop in the town have pulled together to organise the event which will run from April 8 to 12. Real Ale in the Loop will feature cask beers on tap when it returns to the town for a twice-yearly event that kicked off last year.
Pubs taking part will be The Nag’s Head in Wyle Cop, The Loggerheads in Church Street, The Three Fishes in Hereford Road in Bayston Hill, The Salopian Bar in Smithfield Road, the Admiral Benbow, and The Coach and Horses, both in Swan Hill. For more details about the event call organiser James Calder on 01743 272702.
By James Pugh