Tameside Beer Festival returns to Hyde

One of the biggest fund-raisers of the Tameside Rotary Club, Tameside Beer Festival at Hyde Town Hall marked another successful year.

Visitors flocked to this year’s Tameside Beer Festival at Hyde Town Hall. One of the biggest fund-raisers of the Tameside Rotary Club, the festival, now in its 11th year, boasts a permanent position on the Tameside event calendar.

Hyde Town Hall teemed with people over the weekend, between 11am and 8pm, with queues forming outside the gate.

President of the Tameside Rotary, Steve Knowles, said:

"Earlier this year, we had to move from the Stalybridge Civic Hall due to some repair work on the roof. We were fortunate enough to get the Hyde Town Hall, an ideal venue in terms of the size and the locality within Tameside."

The festival's primary function is to raise money for local charities, specifically for two named charities selected by the President each year, he informs. On his presidential turn, Steve has chosen RNLI and Anthony Seddon as this year's dedicated charities.

"We normally raise between five and six thousand pounds in every year's Beer Festival," Steve added.

However, this year being a financially difficult one and the venue being moved, the organisers had their fingers crossed regarding the event's success.

"To everyone's great pleasure, the event has been more successful than expected," Steve said.

A carefully curated selection of brews by local and regional breweries certainly stands at the heart of this success story. From hoppy ales to rich stouts and creative concoctions like Blueberry Pale, Chocolate Fudge Stout, Manchester Bitter, Mango Fever and many more, there was a palate-pleaser for every visitor. Ciders, wines and prosecco were also available, along with some gorgeous Indian curries and tempting cupcakes.

Peter Holden, a previous President of Tameside Rotary, informed:

"Most of the beers come from 4T's brewery, Warrington; some are from local breweries like Bridge Beers of Stalybridge."

Behind every successful festival are the tireless volunteers who make it all possible.

Lisa Buckley, fundraiser of Willow Wood Hospice, said it's a privilege to volunteer for Tameside Rotary. 

 "Tameside Rotary always helps our Hospice in many ways. So, we always try to return the favour when we can.

"Charities, more than ever, are now struggling. For more reasons than one, it's important to support charity events like these which are not too expensive but provide an opportunity to come out and celebrate life, especially after Covid."

Miss UK Endeavour 2023/24 Leanne Nuttall also attended the event.

The whole festival was a celebration of two memorable days of beers, bonding, happy music, and hearty foods. Organisers are now looking forward to more fundraising events in the future.