September 2008
STOCKPORT & South Manchester CAMRA members made a trip to Dunham Massey Brewery last month to present Jon Costello with an award to mark his excellent Chocolate Cherry Mild gaining third place in the Beer of the Festival contest at this year’s Stockport Beer & Cider Festival. Our picture shows Branch Chairman John Clarke (yes, him again) presenting the award.
Dunham Massey have been making some excellent beer recently including Dunham Stout (4.2%), Cheshire IPA (4.7%) and Mild Stout (4%). All of these are available from the brewery shop – check the website (www.dunhammasseybrewing.co.uk) for details.
First place in the Beer of the Festival contest went to Marble Brewery for their Festival Special. As we reported a few issues ago, this beer was brewed by the newest member of the brewing team Warren McCoubray. Warren has now left the brewery to run a pub in Preston, the New Continental (see the advert on page three) but came back to pick up the award on the presentation night. He is pictured along with the three current brewers Colin Stronge, James Campbell and Dominic Driscoll.
This month look out for the return of Festival (4%) a pale and hoppy beer brewed to mark the Manchester Food & Drink Festival. Marble are also in the process of commissioning a new 10-barrel brewery in premises close to the Marble Arch pub. This is to keep pace with the increasing demand for their beers. The brewery at the pub will remain for short run beers and specials.
Phoenix Brewery is another serial award winner. Last time we reported that Spotland Gold had picked up Beer of the Festival at Worcester Beer Festival. Owner Tony Allen now advises us that the legendary Wobbly Bob (6%) picked up the awards for Best Strong Ale and Beer of the Festival at this year’s Macclesfield Beer Festival.
