Local brewery take awards at Sheffield Festival

A FAMILY-run brewery on the edge of the Peak District has won the “Best Beer Brewed in Sheffield” award at the cities 37th annual beer festival.

Bradfield Brewery won the coveted prize for its Farmers Blonde after a blind tasting session at the festival, held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Meanwhile, the brewery’s Farmers Steel Cow ale won a gold award in the “Best Bitter” category.

Great Kinder Beer Barrel Challenge

THE tradition of the Great Kinder Beer Barrel Challenge in the Peak District rolls on next weekend.

Eleven teams of eight runners will carry a full beer barrel from the Snake Inn on the A57Sheffield to Manchester road to Edale village on Saturday, September 10.

The challenge, which involves a 900ft climb over three miles of the boggy terrain of high peak moorland followed by a knee-cracking descent into Edale valley, started 13 years ago as the result of a bet between a local shepherd and the landlord of the Nags Head Inn in Edale.

Each team member receives customary liquid reward and the fastest team wins a full barrel of beer. Money is raised for local charities through sponsorship and fundraising. Peak Ales and Bradfield Brewery are offering their ales as prizes.

The race start at the Snake Inn at 12.30pm and teams are expected to finish in Edale village square at around 1.30pm, where there will be a barbecue.

An evening of entertainment in Edale village hall will include Hope Valley College Big Band.

Vacancy: Pub landlady and wife

A Pub landlord has advertised in a newspaper for a new landlady and wife.

When James Hilton's missus of four years Mandy ran off with a barman six weeks ago, his first thought was to recruit a replacement worker.

The Horseshoe Pub in Matlock, Derbyshire, was run by the pair who had been married for four years but after wife Mandy's decision to leave and take their children with her, Mr Hilton thought it best to recruit someone who could fill both the vacant positions Mandy had left behind.

Mr Hilton placed a lonely-hearts ad offering a "fun and attractive lady" the opportunity to develop a long term relationship with the landlord as well as gaining an unsalaried position as landlady of the local watering hole.

Describing himself as "sensual, with a good - if not occasionally strange - sense of humour", Mr Hilton told the Sun that he had already received four replies and been on two dates, (one in the bar and one in the lounge) though so far he had been restricted to just pulling pints.

His less than impressed estranged wife commented that the lonely-hearts ad was "the sort of thing I'd expect from him" and implored him to "get on with his life and leave me alone".

If I were a regular in his pub I would be checking that the beer hasn't been watered down by too much crying in it.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:33:05

Beer Festival dates announced

The 13th annual Macclesfield Beer Festival will take place on Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12.

With more beer on offer than ever before, organisers are confident this year’s festival will be the best yet – while raising barrels full of cash for the East Cheshire Hospice.

Overseeing the organisation is Steve Briscoe, who will be officially named Macclesfield Round Table chairman next month.

He appealed for public backing to beat last year’s donation of £11,000 – which provided a new minibus for the Rossendale Trust.

"The hope is we can contribute a 25 per cent increase on last year’s charity donation, but we can only do that with the support of the community," he said.

"We always sell out on Friday, but we need people to support the Saturday afternoon and evening. There will be 125 different beers on offer, which is more than usual, and all have been carefully selected on merit, rather than volume, and approved by CAMRA. There will also be a comprehensive wines and foreign beers section.

"The marquee last year was the biggest we’ve had – an increase of 20% – so we’ve organised the same marquee and are hoping for the same weather as last year."

Music will be provided by The Glass Onion Band, supported by Dazed and Confused, and making a welcome return for the first time in four years will be a ‘Judge the Best Beer’ competition, which will open proceedings. the judge must have some constitution to try all 125 beers and then have a curry.

ANYBODY who wants to contribute sponsorship towards the event, or help behind the bar, can contact Steve on 07867 827533.

Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-05 23:13:40