Farnham Beerex made a triumphant return at the Farnham Maltings last weekend – and for the first time in the festival’s 45-year history, it offered chilled, carbonated beer from kegs at a new Craft Bar.

The Craft Bar, sponsored by Moran Roofing whose owner Lee Moran is pictured pouring the first pint, also offered canned low alcohol beers and was intended to attract a new generation of Beerex punters.

It was a breakout success, as the bar was in high demand across all three days and five sessions of this year’s Beerex.

Craft beer refers to beer brewed by small, independent breweries, often in small batches, which allows for greater experimentation and creativity. it is usually chilled and served in kegs, as opposed to the casks typical of real ale.

One such brewery was Maverick, which was only recently opened in Kingsley, near Bordon, by Martin Hoddinott and served its first ever batch of beer over the counter at Beerex. Very well received it was too!

As well as craft beer, Beerex offered a choice of 55 traditional real ales including a themed Midlands bar, around 30 ciders and perries, live music across all sessions, and hot food provided by the Maltings. 

All proceeds from Beerex will go towards the local good causes supported by organisers the Farnham Lions.

And the Lions are already looking forward to the 46th annual Farnham Beer Festival which will be held from April 18 to 20, again at the Farnham Maltings.

A spokesman for the Lions said: "We will again look for some more great new additions building on the superb response we received on the new craft bar sponsored by Moran Roofing.

"Tickets for all sessions will again only be available from the Beerex website – and we expect the ticket launch to be on or around December 8, 2023, again with an early bird offer for a limited period.

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