Our first two Stoke BeerFest programmes
Welcome to this look back at the Stoke Beer Festivals of the early 1980s, brought to you with the kind loan of these materials from Bill Derbyshire. These scans offer a fascinating glimpse into the vibrant real ale scene in Stoke-on-Trent during that period, highlighting the efforts of the Potteries Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to promote traditional beers.
The festival programmes showcase a wide array of breweries and their offerings that were available at the time. You'll find familiar names like Banks's, with their popular bitter and mild, and their local pubs such as The Glebe, The Albion, The Trumpet, and Bulls Vaults. Marston's Pedigree was a clear favourite among local beer enthusiasts. The festivals also featured beers from breweries both near and far, including Adnams from Suffolk, Godson's from London, and Theakston's from Yorkshire.
It's particularly interesting to note some of the smaller, independent breweries that were making their mark, such as Brown Edge Brewery, which had only just started brewing in July of the festival year. The Burton Bridge Brewery was also a bold new venture, setting up in the heart of Burton-on-Trent. These documents also reveal the dedication of CAMRA members, who voluntarily organized and staffed these events to further the cause of traditional beer.
While many of the pubs and breweries mentioned might still be around today, some, sadly, are no longer with us or have changed significantly. These programmes serve as a valuable historical record, reminding us of the rich brewing heritage and the passionate community that supported real ale in the Potteries over four decades ago. We hope you enjoy this nostalgic journey!