Tameside pubs prepare for international beer festival

Beer lovers in Tameside will be able to sample beers from around the world with two local Wetherspoon pubs taking part in an autumn beer festival.

The Ash Tree in Ashton-under-Lyne and The Society Rooms in Stalybridge will be among Wetherspoon pubs across the country serving a special selection of real ales during the 12-day event.

The festival runs from Wednesday, October 7th, to Sunday, October 18th, with 30 real ales being made available, including five beers from international brewers in China, Denmark, Singapore, Ukraine, and the USA.

It will mark the first time beers from Singapore and Ukraine have featured at a Wetherspoon beer festival.

Among the international brews are Urbrew Oolong ESB from China, Mikkeller English Dream Pilsner from Denmark, Lion Mango IPA from Singapore, Varvar Session Golden Ale from Ukraine, and UPP Liquids Pinball Wizard from the USA.

There is plenty of variety in the line-up, with ingredients including mango, coriander, coconut, and even tea.

The Chinese beer, Urbrew Oolong ESB, is a 4.6 percent amber ale combining the malt character of an English extra-special bitter with Chinese oolong tea.

Meanwhile, the 4.5 percent Lion Mango IPA brings tropical flavours to the festival, and Ukraine’s Varvar Session Golden Ale is a 5 percent golden ale featuring coriander.

For fans of darker beers, the American contribution is UPP Liquids Pinball Wizard, a 5.5 percent oatmeal stout with flavours and aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, and caramel.

The beers have been produced through collaborations between the international brewers and established British breweries. Wetherspoon says the initiative gives brewers the opportunity to exchange ideas, brewing techniques, and experience, while customers get the chance to try beers which would not normally be available in the UK.

The international brewing programme has been running since 2008. Since then, Wetherspoon says 163 brewers from 33 countries have taken part, producing 273 different beers. The number of pints brewed through the collaborations is expected to pass 24 million by the end of this year's autumn festival.

As well as the five international beers, the wider festival line-up includes ales such as Cairngorm Autumn Nuts, Otter Reggae, Loch Lomond Flying South, Oakham Dressed To Impress, and Exmoor Red.

Customers at The Ash Tree, on Wellington Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, and The Society Rooms, on Grosvenor Street in Stalybridge, will also be able to sample three third-of-a-pint tasters for the price of a pint.

Tasting notes will be available in the pubs through the festival magazine, while information about the beers and their brewers will also be available on the Wetherspoon app.

With the festival spanning almost two weeks, the two Tameside pubs will offer local drinkers the opportunity to explore a selection ranging from traditional-style bitters and golden ales to fruit-infused IPA and rich stout — all without having to travel far from home.