Landlord Robin at the barrel...

2012 promises to be a busy and exciting year for us on Tresco as we prepare for the World Championships followed by a full season of Gig Racing plus Walking & Music Festivals, The Diamond Jubilee and the Tresco Triathlon plus a busy calendar of smaller events for charity.
This year during May we have something to celebrate at the New Inn and we intend to honor this event with as much gaiety and revelry as we can muster.
It’s the New Inn 21st Ale Festival!
In June 2002, in conjunction with the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, The New Inn held the islands first ever Beer Festival and it was such a success we’ve been doing it regularly ever since.
As ever there will be much merry making as we commemorate by providing people with a fine selection of Ales from across the United Kingdom accompanied by great live music and a special menu.
Richard Hobbs was working as a part time bar tender at the first Ale festival back in 2002 and remembers very little about the whole thing – it was that good!
Over the years he has pulled many a pint at the festivals as well as supped many a wonderful brew and truly loves his ale with a passion.
We asked if he had a favorite ale to date but we got the impression that he probably adores them all!
“Looking back” Richard told us “the most memorable ale (or not as it turned out to be) was the year they served the great tasting ‘Skull Splitter’ from the ‘Orkney Brewery’” served in a two pint handled glass which was yours to keep (if you could remember to take it home). “At 8.50% ABV two pints of that alone was enough for me and I don’t remember a blooming thing after that!”
I’m not sure how many varieties have been sold and enjoyed over the last 21 festivals but with only a few favorites which do re-appear there must have been a fair few.

Richard Hobbs before the Skull Splitter. Memories...who needs 'em?

This year there will be approximately 30 to choose from and these will be accompanied by a tasty menu which celebrates the good old sausage which was such a great successes at one of the earlier festivals we decided to do it again!
Robin will be ordering in the ale and Alex the grub so all you have to do if you are here in May is relax, sample the goods and enjoy the music, company and surroundings! It’s being held the weekend of the 26th, 27th & 28th of May and will be followed by the 22nd festival starting on the 1st of September.
If you think it sounds like your kind of thing we offer Ale Festival Packages – call us for more information on 01720 422844.

“Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with sausages!”