The Sunderland Beer & Cider Festival moved to a new venue this year; The Point in the centre of the city. This was an opportunity to expand the range of beers and ciders on offer as we have more space. This obviously made for more work, especially in the set up and clear down.
Set Up - Tuesday 10th October 2017
After spending a weekend in Glasgow with the family and the mandatory visit to a few pubs, I was fit and ready on Tuesday morning to be picked up by the hired van to collect the beer etc from Maxim Brewery. The evening before all the bar racking, handpulls etc had been dropped off so the bar could be constructed while the beer collections took place.
Load one was a van full of casks, with the van sinking perceptively on its suspension as 2 heavy palettes of casks were loaded. For me it was an incident free journey to the city centre, but then again I wasn't driving.
The Point is the former ABC Cinema on the corner of Holmeside and Park Lane. Holmeside is a busy road , and Park Lane is pedestrianised, so the only place to do any drop offs was this alleyway behind the venue. This alley looked like somewhere drunks would wander into to relive themselves after a night getting ratted.
Whilst unloading and trying not to stand in anything suspect, I noticed this strange sight.One of our CAMRA members was on the opposite side of the road, smartphone in hand looking at the screen, heading away from the Point. Now the building is probably the largest in the area so I shouted across to him..
" I couldn't find it ". he replied
Pointing up I said " Its that large brick building you are in the shadow of"
"Oh"
The second trip to and from Maxim, to collect the cider , festival glasses and other bits and pieces was uneventful. Soon it was time for the 3rd and final collection, and involved another alley way, this time a lot more hygienic.
Some local breweries had delivered to the Mid Boldon Club. This has a cellar with access from the alleyway for deliveries down into the cellar. A golden rule of beer cellars is :-
Full and heavy casks in, light and empty casks out.Not - full and heavy casks in, full and heavy casks out !
It took three of us, 1 inside pushing a cask up a ladder, and 2 of us outside hauling on a rope with ageing, straining muscles. It was like taking part in a vertical tug of war. I had said just before we got there :-
" Is this going to knack my already knacked back ?"( although I didnt quite use those words).
Came back the unsympathetic reply - "yes". I haven't told Mrs Ken yet about this episode
The Festival, Thursday 12th - Saturday 14th.
I was working behind the bar,which was great, as you meet all sorts of characters; some you know, some you have met for the first time. All are always friendly, happy to be there.
The beers and ciders in the festival programme were numbered (from 1 to 40) and named. The trick is to memorise where all 40 beers are on the bar, as some come up and say, can I have a no 1 please. Now when I count its from left to right, but some were coming to where was at, between 31 and 40 and asking for a number 1 please. I usually say, "is that with rice or chips ?" Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.
On the subject of rice and chips, the venue provided food. They sold foot long hot dogs with a twist ; the buns were half a foot ! Only in Sunderland
Day 1 was a steady flow, Day 2 was manic and Day 3 was a bit slow to be honest. The city's fantastic football team were at home so about a dozen supporters were in, enjoying themselves before the inevitable gloom to come. Our last orders were at 1900 on the Saturday and a few came in within an hour of the deadline. " Come on guys, have a few more..the clocks ticking here !"
Take down - Sunday 15th.
Sunday morning was quite warm and it got hotter during the day as we toiled to remove the casks, dismantle the bar and get everything down to the infamous alleyway, which showed more signs of pollution. I was absolutely knackered as I headed off the car, aching back and feet. Muttering that I am getting to old for this.
But, did I enjoy myself; of course I did ; already looking forward to next year
