CAMRA launches its first education space at Manchester Beer Festival

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.

A full itinerary for the education space is available below:

Wednesday 23rd: Trade and Members Day

The listening post

This will be an opportunity for brewers, the trade and CAMRA members to let Alex know what CAMRA’s priorities should be regarding education, information and training.

Thursday 24th

Cask and keg tasting with a brewer

This educational session will give you guidance from an industry professional on the key differences between cask and keg beer. This session will run from approximately 12pm-6pm on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Friday 25th

Save Our Pubs Campaign awareness

The CAMRA Campaigns team will be visiting Manchester to promote and raise awareness of the Save Our Pubs Campaign. They will be on-hand to provide guidance and support for members interested in taking part.

Saturday 26th

Informal session, plus CAMRA Books

Our trading manager will be on-hand to spread information about the Good Beer Guide app, upcoming book releases and more!