No place like home for the beer and music festival

Chantry brewer Kev Warburton prepares his festival ale

ROLL out the barrel — the Rotherham Real Ale & Music Festival is coming to a living room near you.

This year’s event on March 20 will be rolled out virtually and tickets for the online booze-up go on sale today.

Held annually since 1992, the popular festival will give punters a chance to come together to enjoy virtual beer tastings and music live-streamed from the Cutlers’ Arms.

The festival — usually held at Magna — has teamed up with Chantry Brewery to offer free delivery to “S” postcodes on all fine ales and luscious lager normally available by the barrel load at the science centre.

Tasting packs, including the commemorative glass and specially brewed festival ale, can be bought from the Chantry Brewery website to help create the festival feel at home.

Festival organiser Stephen Burns said: “The past 12 months have been incredibly difficult for live music venues and independent brewers.

“We wanted to try and capture the spirit of the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival in a safe, socially distanced way and decided to team up with Chantry to try and rekindle some of the magic that has made the festival such a well-loved event over the years.

“We wanted to continue that tradition, and although sadly it’s not possible to host the festival in the usual way this year, we wanted to do our bit to support our local music venues and artists which have been particularly hard-hit by Covid19.

“This festival is about celebrating the local talent and amazing beer we have available here on our doorstep, but it is also about raising a glass to charity.”

The closed-door performances at the Cutlers’ will be broadcast via YouTube from 7.30pm on March 20, featuring At the Arcade, the G-Men and Bloodlines.

To support the region’s brewing community, festival organisers are also planning to host a series of live virtual beer tastings on March 19, with

details to be confirmed soon.

Since hosting its first event in 1992 at Oakwood Comprehensive, the festival has grown to become one of the most popular beer and music festivals in the north of England. In 2010, the festival relocated to Magna and proceeds raised from the event have supported a wide range of good causes throughout South Yorkshire.

Tickets for the one-day event cost £5, to buy visit www.magnarealale.uk.

Proceeds will go towards Rotherham Cancer Care Centre.