Last year I was lucky enough to volunteer for IMBC 2014.
I say lucky, and I mean it. It was my first big beer pouring event – I’d volunteered for Levenshulme Beer Festival and for Salford Beer Festival (I’ll be doing that again with Mr GFB this year) but IMBC is something a bit special. Beer people are good people, and I’ve never worked an event like IMBC. Everyone was bloody lovely, everyone worked hard, but enjoyed themselves immensely and yes, there were a few people a little worse for wear (not the volunteers I hasten to add), the mood was one of happy, beer loving, camaraderie.
This year, I’ll be strictly attending as a punter. Much as I was intending to volunteer again (yes, I loved it that much) instead I’ll be at the Rugby World Cup game at the Manchester City Stadium, volunteering there. I’ve never wished more to be able to clone myself.
I did, however, head over to the launch event at beer geek heaven, Port Street Beer House, to say hello to a few friendly faces both new and old, and hear the plans for this year’s event.
The brewery list, as ever, is vast. International breweries from New Zealand, the USA (I’m excited to see Against the Grain are back) and Norway will be taking part, alongside the usual suspects from the UK – including our own Cloudwater Brewery, Blackjack Brewery and Quantum Brewing Company.
As ever, a series of collaboration beers have been created for the event that will have mouths watering including a Gooseberry Pale, a Quince IPA, a Bilberry Saison, Fig Stout and a Sloe Wit (though I must admit the amazing sounding Seaweed Gose from MadHatter and IMBC has my attention).
There will also be events on for those keen to explore beer – Pierre Tilquin will not only be speaking, but offering a tasting of his super exclusive Oude Mûre Tilquin à l’Ancienne, a talk by local beer blogger Conor Murphy exploring the state of beer today with a focus on the burgeoning Manchester scene, along with a tasting hosted by Cloudwater.
And I’m incredibly happy to see Great North Pie Company back (I still dream about that potato gravy) along with Almost Famous, Honest Crust Pizza and Epicerie Ludo are back with their amazing deli based nibbles.
I probably won’t be there til the Sunday, but I still can’t wait to be able to wander about the maze that is the Victoria Baths, glass in hand, with Mr GFB, sampling everything we can manage.
Someone save me a pie please?