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Rutland Beer Festival at The Grainstore Brewery and Tap in Oakham attracts hundreds of visitors




Gallons of beer, live music and lots of laughter were the order of the bank holiday weekend.

The 24th Rutland Beer Festival began on Thursday evening in Oakham with 70 real ales available, as well as ciders and lots of Grasmere Farm sausages to soak it all up.

Held at The Grainstore Brewery next to Oakham Railway Station, bar staff served local favourites and ales from further afield in commemorative glasses.

The Grainstore also sells drinks to take away
The Grainstore also sells drinks to take away

The Grainstore Brewery’s bar and outside area hosted people right through until bank holiday Monday, and live entertainment included music by The Veltones, Free Soul Sista and The Free Soul Band, and Fanx Ta Ra.

The Grainstore Brewery and Tap was established 30 years ago by former Ruddles head brewer Tony Davis and steel fabrication expert Mike Davies, and the Rutland Beer Festival was part of the 30th anniversary celebrations.

Located on the site of a derelict Victorian grain store, the building was renovated and Tony and Mike added copper tanks and fermentation equipment.

Smiles from some merry souls
Smiles from some merry souls

Since 2014 the brewery has been run by Tony’s son, William Davis, and business partner Peter Atkinson.

The Grainstore produces about 17,000 pints a week with Ten Fifty their top-selling beer. Other regulars sold by the pint in pubs include Rutland Panther, Rutland Osprey, Nip, and its first commercial brew, Cooking.

Several of its beers have won national recognition as well as awards from the Campaign for Real Ale.

The Grainstore has also hosted an annual Cider and Sausage Festival since 2010, which this year took place in May.

Anyone for a pint? Matt Luker, Ben Hinton, Gill Feely, William Stimson and Sam Mitchinson served plenty
Anyone for a pint? Matt Luker, Ben Hinton, Gill Feely, William Stimson and Sam Mitchinson served plenty
Sara Gibbons and Tracy Parker try out a couple of the drinks on offer
Sara Gibbons and Tracy Parker try out a couple of the drinks on offer
This happy group enjoyed their drinks
This happy group enjoyed their drinks
The festival marked the 30th anniversary of The Grainstore Brewery and Tap
The festival marked the 30th anniversary of The Grainstore Brewery and Tap

King Charles III visited the Grainstore Brewery in February 2003, when he pulled a pint of Rutland Welcome, a beer brewed especially for his visit.



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