Published: Friday, 16th May, 2008 09:30
One ale of a time
By Steve McElroy
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AN ale of a weekend is on the agenda for residents in Helensburgh at the end of this month, when the second annual Real Ale Festival takes place in the town.
Preparations for the major occasion — the second such event in the Burgh — are ale and hearty, with music and brewers lined up to entertain and appeal to the ‘real’ beer drinkers of the town.
Helensburgh and District Round Table organised a similar event last year and raised a magnificent £5,000 for local charities .
They have promised that this year’s festival will be even bigger and better — with the aim of raising even more money for worthy causes.
The festival takes place in the Victoria Halls over the holiday weekend of Saturday and Sunday May 24 and 25 — and there will be bands playing upstairs at the venue, with up to 40 real ales from a wide range of brewers downstairs. The event takes place between 3pm and 9pm on Saturday, while on the Sunday, it finishes at 8.30pm
Duncan Reid, Ale Festival convener, said: “We are still looking for some sponsorship but we have lined up 19 bands, compared with 12 last year, to provide a range of different types of music.
“Most of them are local, although there are a few from outside the area.
“We are hoping for a big turnout of people. Last year they came from all over, and we are hoping that it will be the same this time around.
“We had 24 Scottish ales last year, so already the event is getting bigger.”
The main beneficiary of the proceeds from the event will be the CHAS-run children’s hospice at Balloch, although other charities will also benefit.
Duncan said: ”Last year’s event was brilliant and we think this will become our main fundraiser for the year.
“We raised a bit less than the annual fireworks display in November but we hope that it will become a major event for our fundraising.
He added: “Last year, we held it a bit earlier, in April, but this was the first occasion that we could get use of the Halls.
“Everyone has been asking when it’s being held again.”
Helensburgh’s Buffet Shop will provide food for the festival — which is open to over 18s only.
T-shirts featuring the festival logo will be on sale, along with commemorative glasses.
Duncan added: “Companies have been very, very helpful and it should be a good light-hearted two days.
“Some of the beers are about five per cent but they are mostly just over 3.3 per cent strength.”
Among the unusual beers is one made from barley and wheat, alongside an organic-made beer from the Black Isle.
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