Real ale lovers turn out for inaugural Barlow Beer Festival

Organised by village resident Steve Hyland, the inaugural event is being held at The Barlow, in Bolton Road, from Friday through to today.

The Barlow Beer Festival has replaced Edgworth Real Ale Festival, which was first held in 2006 and was continued on an annual basis up until last year.

But, when the team behind the festival declared it would not be returning this year, Mr Hyland, who has recently set up his own brewing company, stepped in to put on his own.

The 63-year-old said: “I was called in by The Barlow to see if I could put a festival on with three months notice, so I said I would give it a go.

“I have done it the way I think a beer festival should be done. Every beer we have is from a 15-mile radius of Edgworth. I wanted people who live around here to enjoy it as much as possible, and from what I have heard, I think I’ve done a reasonable job.”

Among those offering a taste of their finest brews are Northern Monkey Brew Company, Bank Top, Black Edge, and the Darwen-based duo Hopstar, and Doghouse.

Dozens of people turned out to the festival’s opening night on Friday, with drinkers also treated to a performance from well-known local barbershop choir, the Phoenix Knights of Harmony.

As was the case with its predecessor, all funds raised by the event will go towards The Barlow, which is used by the community and run by voluneers.

The headline sponsor for the event is Wayoh Brewing Company, which was set up by Mr Hyland in June, and hopes to start brewing in the coming months.

And the future looks bright if his attempt at organising a beer festival is anything to go by.

“It has been a roaring success so far,” said Mr Hyland.

“The room was absolutely full on Friday night. It took a lot to organise and has only been possible with the cooperation and support of The Barlow.

“It would not work without the fantastic support of the volunteers.”

The festival will run from 2pm-6pm today. Entry is £2 ­— with a refund on glass return.