GAVIN AITCHISON previews four beer festivals for real ale fans to savour.

FESTIVAL season may be nearly over - but it's not going without a bang.

Over the next couple of weeks there are four fantastic events to enjoy, including new beers and new venues, as well as some old classics at familiar pubs.

Special attention must be paid before all else to the first Copmanthorpe Beer Festival, which is being held from noon until midnight next Saturday.

The event - inevitably dubbed CoptoberFest – is being held in St Giles Church and the nearby Royal Oak pub and will feature 16 ales.

The church will be home to ten local ales, from Brass Castle and Bad Seed Breweries in Malton, Yorkshire Heart in Nun Monkton, and the brand new Ainsty Ales, which was formally launched in York last week by Copmanthorpe resident Andy Herrington, whose beers have already been available at the York Beer and Cider Festival and also a select few carnivals,country fairs and cricket clubs. This will give a swathe of new enthusiasts the chance to give them a go.

The event has been organised by Andy along with the Rev Geoff Mumford from St Giles Church, both of whom wanted Copmanthorpe to have its own beer festival as a charitable community event.

Tickets can be bought on the church door, or in advance from the Co-op in Copmanthorpe. The £5 admission includes a souvenir glass and your first pint, and as well as the beer there will be food, soft drinks, a bouncy castle and other activities for children and a charity raffle. Proceeds will be split between St Leonard's Hospice, St Giles’ Church, and Copmanthorpe children’s groups Panda Playgroup and Praise and Play.

If Copmanthorpe doesn't appeal, Pocklington might. Organisers openly admit this year's Pocktoberfest has been an on-off-on-off-on affair, but it's definitely now on.

Building work at the Old Railway Station means the event is much smaller than in recent years, taking place over just the one day and in a giant marquee behind Pocklington Rugby Club.

Beer highlights to look out for include Mosaic, a collaboration between Brass Castle and North Riding Breweries, two ales by BAD in Dishforth, who we featured last week, and Galileo by Half Moon.

Doors are open from noon until 10pm and there will be wine and ciders for any philistines who don't want beer, as well as food and local music. Proceeds here are also for charity, namely the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Away from the proper festivals, pubs are also getting in on the act. It always rings rather hollow when pubs say they are holding festivals lasting a couple of weeks, as such events can sometimes scarcely differ from normal business for pubs.

But nonetheless, such events can be fun and helpful ways to hone your attention towards beers that deserve it.

The JD Wetherspoon festivals fall into that category. From last night through until November 2, they are showcasing ten real ales from around the world and around 30 UK beers as part of their International Beer Festival.

Overseas beers to feature include Village Elder by Ian Ramsay in New Zealand, Freak of Nature by Wicked Weed Brewery in the USA, Ligera by Birrificio Lambrante Brewery in Italy, and India Session Ale by Brouwerij 't IJ in Holland.

Among the UK highlights, look out for Old Engine Oil by Scotland's Harviestoun Brewery, a tremendous smooth porter.

There will also be a range of seasonal specials, including beers flavoured with ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Local pubs taking part include The Posterngate in Piccadilly and The Punch Bowl at Micklegate Bar, both in York, The Giant Bellflower in Selby, and The Winter Gardens in Harrogate.

Finally, continuing the autumnal theme, York's four Nicholson's pubs are taking part in the company's Autumn Beer Festival from October 31 to November 16, featuring 13 seasonal specials.

Drinkers can vote for their favourite of the beers online. The range includes local favourites 1872 Porter by Elland and Blackout by Great Yorkshire, and also newer options from further afield, such as Pundie by Inveralmond in Perth and Scarlet Fever by Wild Beer Co in Somerset.

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