Anthony Raises His 3000 Glasses to COVID Rescheduled Beer and Cider Festival
The Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival cancelled two years ago because of COVID will now go ahead and its organiser has 3000 half pint glasses to distribute - all with the 2020 date stamped on them. But Anthony McMullen isn’t worried as branding for other postponed events such as the 2020 Olympics was used to good effect and became collector’s items.
The huge stock of glasses has been stored in Anthony’s home in Seaton Burn and he is looking forward to giving away every single one to beer and cider lovers over the duration of the festival.
After starting as a volunteer at the Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival six years ago, Anthony McMullen is now running the show and this year thousands of beer and cider lovers are set to descend on Newcastle from April 6 to 9, to sample some of the UK’s finest – and possibly most weird and wonderful - craft beers and ciders.
This year, 100 beers and 50 ciders from quirky tiny unique micro-breweries to established names will be on tap at the Northumbria University campus for what’s become the biggest showcase of its kind in the region.
As you’d expect, local names like Cullercoats, Firebrick, Hadrian Border, Hexhamshire, Tyne Bank breweries will be there as well as some a little further afield Fyne Ales, Titanic, Tiny Rebel. There’s even a special brew from Twice Brewed Brewery celebrating 1900 years of the Hadrian’s Wall. The beer has been two years in the making and is completely botanical with no hops. Local archaeologists have also been involved in its research and production.
Getting literally hundreds of precious casks of ale in situ, conditioned and ready for the perfect pour every time is a huge logistical and technical task – and all eyes will be on Anthony to make sure it turns out right. The event at the Northumbria University Students Union building involves building several bars from scratch, organising the logistics of getting beers and ciders to the right places and ensuring that the attendees are well looked after. There will be bands playing throughout the festival and St Oswald Hospice and Mind Tyneside and Northumberland have been chosen as the festival’s charities.
“Running the festival is a dream come true. It was a big disappointment when we had to cancel it two years ago, but we are back bigger and better now. I first got involved when I attended a Campaign for Real Ale event where I learnt about the processes, tastes, and chemistry of making beer,” said Anthony, who’s day job is a software engineer and he’s also a North Tyneside councillor.
“I’ve become a bit of a beer geek, and for me moderation is the key if you’re going to really savour all the wonderful variation in British beers and ciders. I believe we really have the best brewers in the world in this country, and, even with all this excellent talent, the ales coming from the North East take some beating.”
For more information, including sponsorship and volunteering opportunities like the one that got Anthony started, check out the official website at www.nclbeerfest.uk