When thousands of music lovers arrive for the Shrewsbury Folk Festival 28-31 August 2015, their thirst will be quenched by local ales, beers and wines.
Across each of the five bars at Shrewsbury Folk Festival, the team from bar company The Moongazing Hare will be pouring and serving Shropshire produced and supplied ales, beers, wines and related ingredients to create cocktails and Pimms.
Nigel Smith, director of The Moongazing Hare, has researched and sourced Shropshire breweries in order to offer over 50 home-grown ales and 24 ciders throughout the Festival, representing nine Shropshire brewers. The Moongazing Hare is working closely with the local branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) for guidance on local brewers and assistance sourcing local bar staff with good knowledge on real ales.
The nine Shropshire brewers are Big Shed (Battlefield), Enville, Longden, Hobsons (Cleobury Mortimer), Salopian (Shrewsbury), Stone House (Oswestry), Three Tuns (Bishops Castle), Woods (Craven Arms), Wrekin (Telford). Wood’s Brewery will also be provided beer to artists as part of the backstage hospitality.
For the wine, Nigel has established a partnership with Shrewsbury’s multi award winning Tanners Wines on Shrewsbury’s Wyle Cop. Tanners’ Hannah Schwarzer comments: “We are really happy to be working alongside Nigel Smith and the team at The Moongazing Hare for the Shrewsbury Folk Festival. Everything for the festival bars has been locally sourced by them and Nigel has combined some great wine selections with a real understanding of the festival.”
The Moongazing Hare’s Nigel Smith adds: “The bars will have the full choice of drinks, including non alcoholic of course. Everything has been prepared with care, even down to the choice of local delis and producers for the fruit and vegetables needed for some drinks. We are looking forward to a fantastic festival.”
Shrewsbury Folk Festival organizer Sandra Surtees added: “I have spent many happy hours, at various festivals, enjoying the ambience and superb ale that only Nigel can provide. Our discerning festival goers will be in safe and expert hands with The Moongazing Hare running the bars.”
The Shrewsbury Folk Festival takes place 28, 29, 30, 31 August 2015 at the West Midlands Showground in Shrewsbury.