CAMRA will be launching its first pilot education space at the Manchester Beer and Cider Festival (MBCF) next week as it looks to expand its educational offering to its members.
The stand will host a range of informal activities throughout the festival, including a cask and keg tasting with Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co. where visitors can sample their infamous Kentucky Stout.
Festival-goers can also learn about the brewing process and essential beer ingredients like hops and malts, which have been donated by the British Hop Growers Association (BHA), the Maltsters' Association of Great Britain (MAGB) and Charles Faram Hop Merchants. Dr Julian South, Executive Director of MAGB will be on hand to answer questions about the role of malts in brewing, as will CAMRA’s campaigns team to discuss its Save Our Pubs campaign.
The stand will be the first in a series as CAMRA fulfils its commitment 'to play a leading role in the provision of information, education and training to all those with an interest in beer, cider and perry of any type'.
Information and education manager Alex Metcalfe said: 'We are very fortunate to have received incredible support from the festival team to run our first pilot learning space at MBCF. Huge thanks go to everyone who pulled out the stops to make the learning space possible.
'We've got a range of informal and hands-on activities planned that will genuinely appeal to the seasoned pub goer and novice alike. It’s the first of several pilots running through 2019 and 2020 at CAMRA festivals and through the CAMRA branch network. The learning space at MBCF also reflects ongoing collaboration between CAMRA and fellow organisations seeking to provide learning opportunities about beer, cider and perry.'
Manchester Beer and Cider Festival is the biggest beer festival in the North. After a preview for the trade, media and CAMRA members on Wednesday, it opens to the public from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th January 2019. Staged in Manchester Central, the festival will feature beers from over 200 breweries, as well as a remarkable selection of foreign beers and ciders. Organisers have also announced a new bar this year called 'Beers from the Wood', which will celebrate beers being served from wooden casks.
