ALE enthusiasts will be making a bee-line to Newton Abbot’s Osborne Park in Newton Abbot from tomorrow (Thursday, April 20) as the three day MaltingsFest beer festival gets underway.

Organised by the Society of Independent Brewers in the South West, the festival is now in its 29th year and is the most comprehensive festival of drinks produced by local brewers in the south-west.

   It showcases a huge range of beers, including cask, craft keg beers and lagers, local ciders and local spirits including gins, whiskies and rums.

With close on  300 brews available ranging from traditional bitters to stouts, lagers, amber beers, strong beers and New World IPAs with every style of beer in-between, it offers something for everyones palate.

The all important job of judging the ales ahead of the opening to the public. (Steve Pope)

The all-important judging of the beers, with brewers hoping for one of the  prestigious awards, starts tomorrow morning. 

‘Our regional beers competition kicks off at 10.30am on Thursday  for those that have been fortunate enough to get onto our judge’s tables,’ said Paul Arrowsmith SIBA’s Southwest director and regional chairman.

‘This year is like no other even though we have lost some remarkable brewers from the industry due to the awful Covid year it is still very full of hundreds of beers and many new ones. 

‘The number of classes has increased over the years and to win an award is a great help to a brewer’s marketing,’

Once judging is completed the bar is open at 5pm that evening for those aficionados and public to taste that astounding winning pint from the days samples 

The event opens its public doors at 11am on Friday with Newton Abbot mayor, Cllr Carol Bunday, welcoming everyone to the event at 12pm.

‘Once again we have to thank  Newton Abbot Town Council for their continued support this year,’ continued Paul.

‘So it’s many cheers  to them and the townsfolk who will support yet again with their attendance .’

MaltingFest is open to the public from 5pm to 11pm on Thursday, April 20, between 11am and 11pm on Friday, April 21 and 11am to 10pm on Saturday, April 22. 

Full details can be found at the website www.maltingsfest.co.uk.