Ale-ing Fest History
Long ago, on a wintery evening in February 1995, far across the water in the far flung town of Gosport, a couple of islanders supped at a myriad of old English beers, whilst being entertained by traditional music submersed in a heady atmosphere, and there: in a semi-drunken haze, a spark of an idea formed, after some considerable watering, that seed grew, until, some time later that evening, a full blown notion struggled in to being.
"Why travel all the way to Gosport to enjoy this selection of superb beer. Why not bring the beer to us!"
So on the way back to the Gosport ferry, the idea for Hayling Island's very own beer festival was born. On the 11th and 12th August 1995 the doors first opened to Hayling Islands very own Beer festival, The Ale-ing Fest!
Over the years the event has moved location a number of times and changed in it's format slightly, but the main thrust of this special event that has developed over the years is to bring a variety of British beers from around the county to one place for everybody to sample and enjoy. Hopefully we have created an enjoyable atmosphere with the music we have put on and the tasty morsels available to help the tasting along.
The following is a potted history of the previous event, some of the details are a little sketchy or completely missing (an error we are trying to rectify), but if you have personal experience of some of the gaps or a programme from the missing years, I would be very glad to hear from you.
11th & 12 August 1995 at The Station Theatre
Music Friday The Boogie Brothers
Saturday Lunch Dave Walton's Band
Saturday Night Avery Jazz Band
Notable ales Burts Chucklehead
Reckless Eric's Renown
Foxleys Barking Mad
The Ale-ing Fest (brewed locally for the event (Brewer The Wine Vaults, Southsea)
6th & 7th September 1996 at The Barn Theatre
Music Friday Reavers Rant
Saturday Lunch Avery Jazz Band
Saturday Night The Boogie Brothers
Notable ales Bunces Pigswill
Uley Old Rc
Summerskills Whistle Belly Vengence
Some Like it Hoppy
5th & 6th September 1997 at Mill Rythe Junior School
Music The Motherfolkers
Notable ales Dragon Slayer
Flashmans Clout
Viking Parkins Pride
Woodfords Baldric
4th & 5th September 1998 at Mill Rythe Junior School
Music The Motherfolkers
Notable ales Cheriton Potts
Umbel Magna
Nelsons Revenge
Black Adder
3rd & 4th September 1999 at Mill Rythe Junior School
Music Sorry no information currently available
Notable ales Czechmate Saaz
Old Handcranker
Figgy's Brew
4th & 5th August 2000 at Mill Rythe Junior School
Music Sorry no information currently available
Notable ales Jolly Follies Dicky Fingers
Kangeroo
Riggwelter
Wee Stoater
2001 at The Community Centre
Music Friday 'Pure Glass'
Saturday Night Stupid
Notable ales Beautiful Beach Babe
Fiddler's Elbow
Summer Swallow
Yella Belly
THERE WAS NO ALE-ING FEST IN 2002 AND 2003
6th & 7th August 2004 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Kelly's Tattoo
Saturday Lunch Andy Atlas
Saturday Night Where's Billy
Notable ales Crag Rat
Cornish Blond
Witch's Brew
Pole Jolter
5th & 6th August 2005 at The Community Centre
Music Friday 9 Foot Sergeant
Saturday Night The Silvertones
Notable ales Summer Sizzler
Maiden Leg Over
Comfortably Numb
Pressed Rat
6th & 7th October 2006 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Agglestone
Saturday Lunch Jenny Ellen
Saturday Night Big Al and the Fireflys
Notable ales Fat Catz
Piddlenser
Slap and Tickle
Triple Screw
26th & 27th October 2007 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Blaney Band
Saturday Lunch Jenny Ellen
Saturday Night The Cheese Doctors
Notable ales Bitter and Twisted
Fuggle-Dee-Dum
Piddle in the Cold
Squirrel's Delight
3rd & 4th October 2008 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Jackrabbit
Saturday Lunch Jenny Ellen
Saturday Night The Cheese Doctors
Notable ales Bitter and Twisted
Fuggle-Dee-Dum
Piddle in the Cold
Squirrel's Delight
2nd & 3rd October 2009 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Shep Woolley
Saturday Lunch Rusty Strings, No Space for Pluto Golden Boulder,Jenny Ellen
Saturday Night The Magictones
Notable ales Blueberry Thrill
Spooky
Tin Fish
Village Idiot
1st & 2nd October 2010 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Axel and the Big Wheels
Saturday Night Trevor John Band
Ale of Festival: Havant Finished
Notable ales: 6th Sense
Vanguard
Mallard
Village Idiot
7th & 8th October 2011 at The Community Centre
Music Friday Shep Woolley
Saturday The Cheese Doctors
Ale of the Festival: Captain B
Notable Ales: 7 pointer
Ballstitcher
Scary
The Ale-ing Fest sponsors: