Knutsford Beer Festival 2020 tickets go on sale and have revealed a launch party for next year's event – and those who buy early bird tickets are being offered a free craft ale to celebrate.
The first chance to get tickets will be at Dexter and Jones in Princess Street on Thursday, December 5, from 5 pm to 8 pm, to tie in with late-night Christmas shopping in the town centre.
As a little incentive to support the charity festival, anyone who gets a ticket on the night will be given a half-pint of Mobberley Brewhouse's New England-style session IPA, Unchained.
Knutsford Beer Festival tickets cost £10 which pays for entry, plus a tasting glass, for one of the sessions at The Courthouse between April 23 and 25.
The organisers have also revealed that Dexter and Jones general manager Ben Selby will be taking over as the festival's beer expert for 2020. The job will see him source all the beer for the event.
He promises more of a focus on craft beer in both the keg and cask offering and a broader choice to reflect the growing number of styles.
Ben said: "The beer list at the event keeps getting better and better each year, so I'm honoured to be asked to help carry on the great work the team has done in the past.
“I’m really looking forward to getting involved with the Knutsford Beer Festival next year”
"My focus is curating a beer list that will make put Knutsford Beer Festival on the beer map, while also doing it for a great cause.
"I'm going to put a Dexter and Jones spin on the beer list, especially in the selection of cask beer.
"We don't have cask at Dexter and Jones yet, so this allows me to work with some fantastic craft breweries, such as Track Brewing Co in Manchester, that are creating cask beers in both traditional and modern styles.
"I'll also be working with breweries in the area that we all know and love such as Mobberley Brewhouse, Tatton, Red Willow and Wincle."
The launch party comes just shortly after the new celebrity owners of Dexter & Jones were announced. TV presenter Katy Rickitt and actor Adam Rickitt bought the Knutsford craft beer bottle shop, gin specialist and micro bar after falling in love with the venue when it opened in 2016.
TV presenter Katy Rickitt and actor Adam Rickitt bought the Knutsford craft beer bottle shop
This year's Knutsford Beer Festival saw more than 1,000 people come through The Courthouse's doors to sample craft beer, real ale, artisan gin, cider, wine and Prosecco – raising £10,000 for charity in the process. An equal split of £4,500 each went to Children's Adventure Farm Trust and Knutsford Royal May Day while £1,000 was invested in the festival's community fund.
The fund provides small grants of up to £200 for Knutsford-based community groups and small charities.
Causes that have been supported so far are The Toy Appeal, which provides toys at Christmas for children living in poverty, and homelessness charity The Embassy Bus.
Lisa Benskin, the festival's community fund manager, added: "We are really pleased to be able to support a wide range of Knutsford charities and would encourage smaller groups to contact us with their applications."
Knutsford Beer Festival takes place from April 23 to 25 with masterclasses taking place during the Saturday afternoon session. Visit knutsfordbeerfestival.org.uk
Any companies interested in sponsorship opportunities for the festival can contact sponsor@knutsfordbeerfestival.org.uk.
