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Family-friendly beer festival returns to Wandsworth

Summary:

The festival will boast over 100 beers, 30 ciders, cheap festival food and live music.

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By Nate Saunders

A family-friendly beer festival is returning to Wandsworth for the fourth year in a row this week.

The Wandsworth Common Beer Festival, located at Le Gothique restaurant on John Archer Way, will be open between 1-11pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

While boasting over 100 hard to find beers, 30 ciders, cheap festival food and live music, the festival organisers hope to attract a large number of families on the final day.

With under-18s allowed entry to the festival, Le Gothique owner Mark Justin believes this sets the festival apart from anything similar in the city.

“This is the only family-friendly beer festival anywhere in London,” he said.

“On the Saturday, mum can have a glass of wine and the kids can have a fruit juice, so we’re very unique in that aspect.

“A lot of beer festivals tend to get a similar demographic of people, but we are delighted to be able to offer a change for the final day.

“We want everyone to be able to come along and have a great time.”

With live music in the evenings from The Jo Burt Experience on Friday, and steel blues guitarist John Crampton on Saturday, Mr Justin hopes to attract 3,000 people over the three days.

Breweries from Yorkshire, Somerset and Kent will be among those showcasing their beers to visitors, who will have the chance to taste a range of new beers for the first time.

The Harbour Brewery in Bodmin, Cornwall, opened 60 days ago, and will have several beers on offer which have never been sold in London before.

The hugely popular Dark Ruby Mild, from the Sarah Hughes Brewery in Dudley, will also be returning, and demand last year has prompted special measures from Mr Justin this time around.

“It was the first to run out last year, so we have a barrel for each day to keep our festival goers happy,” he said. “In recent years it has gained a mythical status because it has either not arrived or already gone at other festivals.”

To encourage responsible drinking there is a third of a pint glass to be offered, to go along with the traditional half and pint glasses, each etched with a unique commemorative Olympic logo. 

“We’re hoping it will be popular as it is the first time we have tried it,” said Mr Justin. “It means people don’t have to have a pint, or even a half, of some of our stronger beers.

“No other London festival has offered this opportunity.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the door or online for £4.00 with Campaign For Real Ale members receiving a £1 discount on entry.

The Le Gothique restaurant is located in The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, a Grade II listed building, just off John Turner Way.

For more information visit www.legothique.co.uk or pre-register tickets on www.wandsworthbeerfstival.eventbrite.com

Alternatively, call Mark Justin on 020 8870 6567.

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