Wheatsheaf Beer and Music Festival - 3rd to 5th October 2008
In late October 2007 we introduced a second annual beer festival to complement our May spring festival but on a much smaller scale. We concentrated then on microbrewers and craft brewers from around the country, in particular on their winter ales. This year we have decided to hold the October festival a little earlier, and also to revisit some of your favourite beers.
We have chosen 14 guest beers including (as far as is possible) the top three beers voted for by you from each of our spring festivals from 2004 – 2007, as you will see from the list below, we have been able to obtain ten of the twelve beers which are, interestingly, totally dissimilar to one another, varying in strength from 3.8% to 6.0% ABV, and covering the whole range of beer styles to include milds, bitters, porters and golden ales. We hope you enjoy not only them, but the four other beers introduced to complement our past winners.
| GUEST BEERS | %ABV | |
| Derwent Carlisle State Bitter | 3.7 | light golden bitter |
| Triple fff Pressed Rat & Warthog ** | 3.8 | traditional ruby bitter (2006) |
| Vale Black Swan Mild | 3.9 | traditional dark mild |
| Titanic Lifeboat | 4.0 | traditional red/brown bitter |
| Kelburn Red Smiddy ** | 4.1 | traditional ruby best bitter (2007) |
| Heather Ales Fraoch ** | 4.1 | light amber ale (2007) |
| Inveralmond Thrappledouser ** | 4.3 | traditional copper coloured ale (2005) |
| Cairngorm Tradewinds ** | 4.3 | golden ale (2004) |
| Oakham Ales Bishops Farewell ** | 4.6 | strong golden bitter (2005) |
| Batemans Salem Porter ** | 4.7 | traditional black beer (2006) |
| O’Hanlons Original Port Stout ** | 4.8 | black beer (2006) |
| Wadworth The Bishops Tipple | 5.0 | strong golden ale |
| Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild ** | 6.0 | reddish black strong mild (2004) |
| Hanby Nutcracker ** | 6.0 | strong tawny coloured ale (2005) |
| ** spring festival top 3 beer 2004 – 2007 |
There will also be a good selection of guest cider and perry, and of course the full range of Harveys beers.
ENTERTAINMENT
We’ve lined up three completely different musical acts for you, but don’t worry, if all you want is a relatively peaceful beer the music will only play on Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon.
Friday 3rd Oct 9.00pm THE CHALYBEATES
A well known local duo (Vince and Tony) play mostly 60’s – 80’s pop music and this is their first gig at the Wheatsheaf
Saturday 4th Oct 9.00pm JUSTINE
A solo artist well known to us with a great voice, great repertoire and a big personality - backed occasionally on guitar by other half Phil. She really got the old pub rocking last time she was here.
Sunday 5th Oct 3.00pm JOHN CRAMPTON
Fantastic solo act, with his steel national guitar, stomp box, harmonica and rasping vocals his energy is utterly amazing. His mixture of blues and blue grass style music, largely self-penned, is both brilliant and riveting.