A massive beer and cider festival that took place in Manchester last weekend has addressed fall-out on social media after some attendees slammed it as the ‘weirdest most dysfunctional festival ever‘.
People have said that the International Brewing and Cider Festival had a ‘strange atmosphere’ due to there being ‘no one there’, had a limited selection of drinks, and was generally ‘a bloody awful evening’.
Some people have even gone so far as to compare it to the now-infamous Wonka Experience.
But the festival has now hit back at these harsh reviews online, saying that there were more than 400 different types of beer and cider available, with around 800 attendees over the weekend.
In a statement, they apologised for a ‘less than perfect experience’.
ADVERTISEMENT
The International Brewing and Cider Festival – a not-for-profit trade organisation – stressed that ‘early teething troubles’ were ironed out as the event progressed through its four sessions.
As well as inviting breweries from around the world to serve up beers under one roof in one of Manchester’s coolest venues, the beer festival had 19 food and drink traders, and a programme of live music and DJs.
ADVERTISEMENT
Despite only receiving a couple of actual complaints directly, the festival has been hit with criticism on social media.
Visitors to the beer festival at Depot Mayfield had shared photos of a mostly-empty venue at points over the weekend, with many saying it was ‘freezing’ inside.
One person wrote: “I went with a mate and we left after an hour. The venue was so freezing that the beer itself was too cold to enjoy.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Someone else said: “This was by a country mile the worst event (not just beer event) I’ve ever attended. Truly horrific.”
The International Brewing and Cider Festival, a beer festival in Mancheser, has been hit with complaints. Credit: X, @SimonR
A detailed tale of the experience on Reddit, which said the International Brewing and Cider Festival was a ‘contender for Manchester’s Wonka experience’.
They said that they were ‘greeted by an extremely rude person’ and then struggled to order a beer, with several beers on the list unavailable and ended up with ‘a plastic cup of foam’.
The person said: “It was still early at this point so I expected it to get a bit busy but it never did combined with some depressing music and freezing cold temperatures the atmosphere was strange.”
Someone else said on X: “It was a massive scam. Willy Wonka type scam. No one there. Beers not great. It absolutely was not worth £40. The keg bar was closed, the cask bar closed at 8:30, the only decent beer available was from the few independent brewers who had decided to stick around (half had left). No atmosphere as no one there. Just awful.”
Another person said: “I don’t think I’ve been to a worse organised event. The term ‘Couldn’t organise a pi55 up in a brewery’ was made for this festival.
“Mid session there were less than 100 people. The signs on the cask and keg were too small to read at any distance. People pouring on the bar had no knowledge of any of the beers & no info in the app.
“For the entry fee of £20 to drink out of plastic, beer costing ‘town prices’, & some of the brewers had packed up and left hours before the end, left me feeling like I’d been ripped off.”
A spokesperson for the International Brewing & Cider Festival said: “We are very sorry that some people had a less than perfect experience – this was our first Festival and when you start something new, there will be learnings.
“We are a not-for-profit trade organisation representing the value chain, supplying the brewing and beverage industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
The International Brewing and Cider Festival, a beer festival in Mancheser, has been hit with complaints. Credit: X, @SimonRThe International Brewing and Cider Festival, a beer festival in Mancheser, has been hit with complaints. Credit: Reddit, u/Luc1dJay
“As the organiser of the oldest international brewing and cider awards in the world, we held the Awards in Manchester this year and wanted to bring the entries from around the world to the public in the city.
“We adapted throughout the two days, ironing out some early teething troubles to deliver a better model as the event progressed.”
But now that Indy Man Beer Con has announced it won’t be returning for 2024, there’s definitely room in Manchester for a new beer festival.
Let’s it comes back to the city again and next time, is a roaring success.
Royal Oldham Hospital staff member left with ‘life-changing injuries’ following attack
Emily Sergeant
A staff member at Royal Oldham Hospital has been left with ‘life-changing injuries’ following a serious attack over the weekend.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) we were called to Rochdale Road in Oldham to reports of a stabbing at around 11:30pm on Saturday 11 January, as it was believed that a member of the public attacked a member of staff at Royal Oldham Hospital.
Once officers arrived on the scene, they found that a woman in her 50s had suffered “serious injuries” during the attack, and she still remains in hospital for treatment.
Her injuries are believed to be “life-changing”, according to police.
Following the attack, a 37-year-old man was swiftly arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, and he remains in police custody.
With the investigation in the early stages, GMP says it is not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident, and officers “do not believe” there to be any kind of threat to the wider public.
We've arrested a 37 year old man on suspicion of attempted murder after a member of the public attacked a member of staff at Royal Oldham Hospital.
“This is a serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition,” explained Detective Sergeant Craig Roters, from GMP’s Oldham district said:
“Our thoughts are with her family and colleagues, and we will continue to support them throughout this investigation.
“The local community can expect to see an increase in police presence whilst we carry out enquiries, but they are also there to offer reassurance and answer any questions you may have. We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to them.”
Chief nursing officer at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Heather Caudle, also added following the incident: “We are incredibly shocked and saddened by the incident and our focus is on supporting the colleague involved and their family.
“Our thoughts are also with colleagues and patients who were there at the time of the incident and for whom this has been distressing and frightening.
“We will continue to support Greater Manchester Police with their inquiries, and all services at The Royal Oldham Hospital remain open.”
Featured Image – Google Maps
News
Pep Guardiola confirms Kyle Walker has asked to leave Manchester City
Danny Jones
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker has officially asked to leave Manchester City after seven years at the club.
Walker was left out of the squad for City’s FA Cup tie against fellow Greater Manchester outfit, Salford City, which ended up being an 8-0 demolition featuring a number of youngsters.
Naturally, with the January transfer window open and the England international playing increasingly less of a key role in Guardiola’s current team, his absence was one of the first questions put to Pep in his post-match press conference.
He didn’t dance around the subject either, stating simply: “It isn’t for me to say because [it should come from him] but two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play aboard [for] the end of his career”.
Going on to reiterate that Walker actually put in a transfer request a couple of seasons ago, which the former Spurs man himself has been open about previously despite the offer(s) ultimately falling short of satisfaction for both parties, Pep intimated that the wheels are pretty much already in motion.
His pace, power and positional sense might be on a gradual decline – it happens to virtually every player eventually – but his experience and exposure to winning every club trophy there is to win is invaluable and will likely see plenty of suitors who’ll look to capitalise on this, as well as his seniority and leadership.
Guardiola was full of nothing but admiration for the footballing veteran in his response either, reiterating that the club told him “how important he was” when the German giants first approached him, adding that “we cannot understand the success [City] have had these years without Kyle. It’s impossible.”
Nevertheless, with the intention of leaving now firmly in his mind, the Catalan coach insisted that he prefers to “play other players whose mind is here [with the club]” – hence why Walker was one of those omitted from the matchday squad.
Walker, now 34 and entering what many call the ‘twilight years’ of his career, will no doubt receive plenty of interest from around Europe and beyond. The Sheffield-born full-back made it known he was close to joining Bayern Munich after the Treble but whether or not they’d go back in for him is still unclear.
The Catalan coach went on to explain that his go-to right-sided defender has already contacted Man City’s Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain (who is also set to leave at the end of the current campaign) about leaving and fans can only assume he’ll be exiting before this month.
Bayern have already recruited two former players from that talented Tottenham team under Mauricio Pochettino, with Harry Kane and Eric Dier now well accustomed to the Bundesliga, it remains to be seen whether reuniting all three is in their minds.
Alternatively, other clubs and countries thought to be keen on Kyle Walker include AC Milan – who are also said to be courting Marcus Rashford – and several Saudi sides. The MLS is also thought to be a likely destination for the seasoned pro.
No matter where he goes, with six Premier League titles, a Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Club World Cup; two FA Cups, four EFL Cups and a couple of Community Shields to his name, he’ll leave the Etihad knowing he’s achieved everything there is to achieve.
Daisy Jackson -
27th March 2024 
