Wetherspoon Autumn Real Ale and Cider Festival October 2018

As autumn kicks in, so does the Wetherspoon Real Ale and Cider Festival! Wetherspoon Autumn Real Ale and Cider Festival October 2018 is a twelve day festival hosted in all JD Wetherspoons pubs across the UK. Showcasing 30 ales, all of which being brewed by SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers) members, alongside 5 handpicked ciders from the UK, this is the very first Wetherspoon festival that will be solely featuring Great British beer (and a cider of five).

Wetherspoon Autumn Real Ale and Cider Festival October 2018 includes a variety of new, seasonal and speciality beers, with many available for the first time and being brewed exclusively for Wetherspoon’s bi-annual event.

Among some of the SIBA award-winning festival ales are the golden Liberation IPA (4.8% ABV) from Liberation Brewery in the Channel Islands (a delicious drop, which I was fortunate to try for the first time yesterday), Sirius Dog Star (4.4% ABV) a deep red ale by Wolf Brewery in Norfolk, West Dunbartonshire’s Loch Lomond Southern Summit (4.0% ABV), Suffolk-based Mauldons Blackberry Porter (4.8% ABV) which I also tried yesterday for the first time… and the Long Man Brewery’s Old Man (4.3% ABV), which can also be found as a regular guest in a number of pubs in East Sussex and Kent.

There are a number of festival-exclusive beers to watch out for too, including Perthshire’s Inveralmond Fortingale (4.0% ABV), Cotleigh Styrian Wolf (4.4% ABV) from Somerset, Carmarthenshire’s Evan Evans Hop Picker (4.5% ABV), Wadworth Burnt Orange IPA (4.5% ABV) from Wiltshire, Nottinghamshire’s Castle Rock Wheel of Fortune (4.6% ABV) and XV Oatmeal Stout (4.8% ABV) from Acorn Brewery, South Yorkshire… and last (but most certainly not least), a gold medal winner in the SIBA Southwest competition this year… the golden IPA that packs a punch (and the strongest on the menu weighing in at 7.2% ABV, Big Job. Having visited this brewery earlier in the year, I can vouch for the beautifully crafted golden IPA!

With the festival running in all Wetherspoon pubs across the UK and the Republic of Ireland from Wednesday 10 October to Sunday 21 October (inclusive), there’s a fair few ales to get through! So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of the award winning ales and ciders that have made it on to the menu this Autumn…

1. Hawkshead Windermere Pale, 3.5% ABV, Hawkshead Brewery, Cumbria, Established in 2002
This pale straw-coloured beer has a fine, fruity aroma, with a refreshing character, generous fruity hop notes and a surprisingly plentiful flavour from the full flower hops and quality malted barley used. This beer was voted SIBA Northwest Overall Champion, in 2017. Hops: Bramling Cross, Citra, Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

2. Swannay Orkney Session, 3.8% ABV, Swannay Brewery, Orkney, Established in 2006
This occasional beer has been brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon real ale festival. A straw coloured session bitter, this has aromas of fresh hops, followed by a satisfying biterness and a clean, refreshing hoppy finish. Over the last five years, this brewery has won 26 SIBA awards. Hops: Bobek, Citra, Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

3. Adnams Nut Brown, 4.0% ABV, Adnams Brewery, Suffolk, Established in 1872
This chestnut coloured beer has been brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon real ale festival. Its initial aromas of gooseberries, pine, toasted malt and caramel lead to hints of brown sugar on the palette, balanced by a fresh bitterness, with orange and fresh bread notes. Hops: Amarillo, Centennial, First Gold, Jester. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

4. Inveralmond Fortingale, 4.0% ABV, Inveralmond Brewey, Perthshire, Established in 1997
This new nut-brown ale has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real ale festival. Distinctive chocolate and caramel notes lead to a smoothness on the palate, delivered by the addition of oats, leading to a soft, bitter finish, with just the right amount of hop character to offer a perfect balance. Hops: Pilgrim, Progress. Allergens: Barley (Wheat), Oats, (Gluten, Wheat (Gluten).

5. Loch Lomond Southern Summit, 4.0% ABV, Loch Lomond Brewery, West Dunbartonshire, Established in 2011
This blonde American pale ale-style beer has a juicy citrus fruit aroma, leading to a full flavour with generous grapefruit notes, plus a bitter, refreshing finish. This beer was voted SIBA National Champion in 2016, with its brewery having won a total of 36 SIBA awards, seven of which were for this beer. Hops: Citra, Summit. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

6. Green Jack Mandarina Orange, 4.2% ABV, Green Jack Brewery, Suffolk, Established in 2003
This golden wheat beer is brewed using fresh and dry orange peel; this combines with the hop varieties used to impart a floral aroma, distinctive tangerine flavour, smooth, subtle bitterness and soft, sweet finish. This beer was a gold medal winner at the SIBA East competition, in 2017. Hops: Mandarina Bavaria, Sorachi Ace. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

7. Truman’s Lazarus, 4.2% ABV, Truman’s Brewery, London, Established in 2013
This pale golden beer is brewed with lashings of American hops, resulting in a juicy, zesty character, with significant malt notes to bring a refreshing balance to the flavour. This beer was was a gold medal winner at the SIBA East competition in 2017. Hops: Cascade, Chinook , Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

8. Long Man Old Man, 4.3% ABV, Long Man Brewery, East Sussex, Established in 2012
This oaky-brown seasonal beer has a light hoppiness and soft malt notes of coffee and chocolate combining to create a rich, full flavoured old ale, with a medium-sweet finish. This beer was a silver medal winner at SIBA Southeast competition in 2017.

9. Robinsons Freddy Brewger, 4.3% ABV, Robinsons Brewery, Cheshire, Established in 1838
This new seasonal beer is brewed with red rye and crystal malt, providing the red colour and a rich, complex flavour, balanced with with generous fruity notes from its hop varieties. Hops: Aurora, Celeia, Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

10. Cotleigh Styrian Wolf, 4.4% ABV, Cotleigh Brewery, Somerset, Established in 1979
This new golden bitter has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real ale festival. It has a bright, refreshing character, with a mélange of passion fruit, mago and lemongrass notes throughout, balance by a malty background. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Challenger, Goldings, Progress, Styrian Wolf. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

11. Wolf Sirus Dog Star, 4.4% ABV, Wolf Brewery, Norfolk, Established in 1996
This deep red ale is brewed using a complex blend of malts and American hops to create a smooth, balance flavour, generous fruit notes and a soft, fruity finish. It is winner of many awards, including SIBA National Champion Cask Ale in 2018. Hops: Cascade, Cluster, Gelena. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

12. Brentwood Hope and Glory, 4.5% ABV, Brentwood Brewery, Essex, Established in 2006
This red, full-bodied beer has a well balance character, with full malt flavours and emerging light hop notes, leading to a pleasing, lingering bitterness to the finish. This brewery was the winner of the SIBA Brewers in the community award in 2018. Hops: East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Northdown. Allergens: Barley, Wheat – but certified a gluten free beer.

13. Evans Evans Hop Picker, 4.5% ABV, Evans Evans Brewery, Carmarthenshire, Established in 2004
This new, amber-coloured beer has been has been brewed exclusively for the Wetherspoon real ale and cider festival. The full flavour is a perfect balance of malt and hedgerow berry fruit notes, resulting in a moreish, easy drinking character. Challenger, First Gold, Goldings Magnum, Perle, WGV. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

14. Glamorgan Pitchfork, 4.5% ABV, Glamorgan Brewery, Glamorgan, Established in 2011
This straw-coloured beer has a generous fruity hop aroma, leading to a crisp, refreshing flavour, with unertones of citrus, pear and melon emerging through to the lasting finish. This beer was a gold medal winner of the SIBA Wales and West competition in 2016 and 2018. Hops: Bramling Cross, Cascade, Chinook, Eldorado. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

15. Salopian Hop Twister, 4.5% ABV, Salopian Brewery, Shropshire, Established in 1995
This crisp, refreshing golden bitter has pronounced citrus flavours and soft malt overtones, leading to a focus of lemon and grapefruit in the finish, balanced by a dry bitterness. This beer has won many awards, inclusing SIBA Wales and West competition in 2016 and runner-up in 2018, plus the SIBA National silver award in 2015 and 2017. Hops: Citra, Ekuanot, Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

16. Wadworth Burnt Orange IPA, 4.5% ABV, Wadworth Brewery, Wiltshire, Established in 1885
This new, deep golden beer has been brewered exclusivly for this Wetherspoon real and and cider festival. The aroma of orange, citrus and tropical notes leads to a moderate bitnerness in the finish. This brewery won a silver medal in the SIBA Southwest competition in 2017. Hops: Admiral, Citra. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

17. Castle Rock Wheel of Fortune, 4.6% ABV, Castle Rock Brewery, Nottinghamshire, Established in 1998
This new red al has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real ale and cider festival. The floral, spicy aroma leads to hints of liquorice and grapefruit in the flavour, resulting in a firm malty finish, with a hint of toffee. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Cascade, Centennial, Columbus. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

18. Orkney Celebration, 4.6% ABV, Orkney Brewery, Orkney, Established in 1988
This new amber-ruby coloured beer has been brewed to celebrate this popular brewery’s 30th anniversary. The use of peat-smoked malt provides a delicate smokiness in the aroma and flavour, complemented by caramel notes and a fruity hop finish. This brewery has won many SIBA awards over the years, including a National gold medal in 2018 , and 10 medals in 2017. Hops: Goldings, Target. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

19. Rooster’s Twenty Four Seven, 4.7% ABV, Rooster’s Brewery, North Yorkshire, Established in 1993
The pale golden session IPA uses four big-hitting hop varieties, imparting aromas of lemon, tangerine and gooseberry, followed by a refreshing punchbowl of fruit flavours and a balancing grapefruit bitterness. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Amarillo, Chinook, Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

20. Acorn XV Oatmeal Stout, 4.8% ABV, Acorn Brewery, South Yorkshire, Established 2003
This new beer, celebrating this brewery’s 15th anniversary, has been brewed exclusively for this Wetherspoon real ale festival. This is a deep ruby-coloured oatmeal stout, with a complex aroma, smooth, sweet, roasted coffee and bitter chocolate flavour and a creamy mouthfeel. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Challenger, Fuggles. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten).

21. Liberation IPA, Liberation Brewery, Channel Island, Established 1871
This golden beer is brewed in the style of a traditional IPA, with the citrus notes from its hops reaching a fine balance with the malt, leading to a crisp, balanced finish. This beer was a gold medal winner in the SIBA Southwest competition in 2015. Hops: Centennial, Fuggles, Motueka, Nelson Sauvin, Summit. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten).

22. Mauldons Blackberry Porter, Mauldons Brewery, Suffolk, Established in 1982
This beer was originally launched at our sping 2011 real ale festival. It is a full-bodied black porter, with a balanced hop aroma and a rich blend of chocloate and roast flavours, giving way to subtle, sweet, fruit finish. This beer has won several awards, including a gold medal in the SIBA East competition in 2016. Hops: Bramling Cross, Saaz, Willamette. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

23. Coach House Blueberry Classic Bitter, 5.0% ABV, Coach House Brewery, Cheshire, Established in 1991
This straw-coloured speciality beer has a light hoppy aroma, leading to a refreshing, delicate bitterness, complemented by the subtle aroma and distinctive flavour of blueberries. This beer was a silver medal winner in the SIBA Northwest competition in 2015. Hops: Admiral, Pilgrim. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

24. Osset Excelsior, 5.2% ABV, Osset Brewery, West Yorkshire, Established 1998
This light golden beer is the perfect balance of Bfritish Maris Otter malt and American hops, with a citrus hop aroma leading to a fruity, smooth and full-bodied flavour, with a deceptive biterness. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Cascade. Allergens: Barley (GLutne), Wheat (GLuten).

25. Hook Norton Flagship, 5.3% ABV, Hook Norton Brewery, Oxfordshire, Established in 1849
This bronze, seasonal IPA-style beer has a sweet aroma, with marmalade and fruit notes, leading to a fruity mouthfeel, with hints of orange and a full, rich, bittersweet flavour. Hops: Admiral, Fuggles, Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

26. Brewster’s Brewers Dozen, 5.5% ABV, Brewster’s Brewery, Lincolnshire, Established in 1998
This rare beer has been brewed again exclusively for this Wetherspoon real ale and cider festival. It is rich amber in colour, with a pleasing roasted malt base and dried fruit notes, complemented by the generous resinous and citrus hop character. this brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Admiral, First Gold, Fuggles, Target. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

27. Daleside Morocco Ale, 5.5% ABV, Daleside Brewery, North Yorkshire, Established 1992
This ruby-coloured stong ale is brewed to an ancient secret recipe, held for over 300 years at Levens Hall, Cumbria. It is subtly spiced to produced an exciting and complex flavour, with sweet , fruity and ginger notes all evident. This brewery has won several awards over the years. Hops: Goldings, Northern Brewer. Allergens: Barley (GLutne), Wheat (GLuten).

28. Dorset Jurassic Dark, 5.9% ABV, Dorset Brewery, Dorset, Established 1995
This mahogany dunkleweissen has an intense aroma of forest fruits and cloves, leading to a complex, rich malt flavour, with dark fruit and vanilla notes, plus bubblegum hints on the palete. This beer was voted SIBA Southwest Overall Champion in 2018. Hops: Bramling Cross. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

29. Titanic Iron Curtain, 6.0% ABV, Titanic Brwery, Staffordshire, Established in 1985
This black beer, brewed in the style of a traditional imperial Russian stout, was originally brewed especially for Wetherspoon’s Autumn 2008 real ale and cider festival. Roasted barley supplies a rich body, while a huge charge of hops provides a powerful bitterness. This brewery has won several SIBA awards over the years. Hops: Goldings, Herkules, Northdown, Pilgrim. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

30. St Austell Big Job, 7.2% ABV, St Austell Brewery, Cornwall, Established in 1851
This golden IPA is jammed full of Cornish barley and massive quantities of hops, resulting in a powerful hop character, with flavours of citrus and warming fruits balanced by an underlying malt backbone. This beer was a gold medal winner in the SIBA Southwest competition in 2018. Hops: Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Nugget. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

Wetherspoon Autumn Real Ale and Cider Festival 2018 also has five ciders on for all you apple lovers. These include the following…

1. Mr Whitehead’s Toffee Apple, 4.0% ABV, Mr Whitehead’s Cider Company, Hampshire, Established in 2003
This medium-sweet cider is blended from dessert and cider apple varieties, then gently infused with toffee to give a deep caramel colour and aroma, plus a toffee and caramel sweetness. Allergens: Sulphites.

2. Purbeck Devil’s Leaf, 4.0% ABV, Purbeck Cider Company, Dorset, Established in 2014
This is a medium still cider… with a sting in its tail. Made in the traditional way, it is then infused with nettles to give an earthy, yet smooth, distinctively different flavour. Allergens: Sulphites.

3. Knights Malvern Gold, 6.0%, Aston Manor Cider, West Midlands, Established in 1983
This full-flavoured, medium-dry reserve cider is crafted with a blend of Yarlington Mill, Dabinett and Kingston Black bittersweet apples. It was voted Best British Non-Sparkling Cider at the International Cider Challenge in 2017. Allergens: Sulphites.

4. Rich’s Legbender, 6.0% ABV, Rich’s Cider, Somerset, Established in 1954
This is a traditional, dry Somerset scrumpy cider – cloudy in appearance, with a good balance of tannins in the flavour. It was awarded Best Drink Product in Somerset, by Somerset Life Magazine in 2015. Allergens: Sulphites.

5. Broadoak Premium Perry, 7.5% ABV, Broadoak Cider, Somerset, Established in 1984
This award-winning perry has a wonderful pear aroma and fresh pear flavour, resulting in a sweet and refreshing character throughout. Allergens: Sulphites.

The Society of Independent Brewers was founded in 1980 and represents around 830 British brewers. Approximately 300 suppliers are also Supplier Associate members of SIBA. The SIBA vision issimple; to deliver the future of British beer and become the voice of British brewing… which is why Tim Martin’s Wetherspoon pubs proudly embrace the good work they do for the producers of Great British beer. Hats off to you Sir!

Have you managed to try any on the list yet? As ever, we’d love to hear what you thought of them. Feel free to upload pictures of the beers (and / or ciders) you’ve tried by using the comments section below… cheers! 🍻