With a stellar musical line up of international artists and loads to do for all the family, Purbeck Folk Festival is proud to announce the latest addition to the bill – Buzz Lightbeer, the Festival’s very own beer.
Brewed exclusively for the Festival by the Isle of Purbeck Brewery in Studland, Buzz Lightbeer is a golden beer made with prime Purbeck heather honey.
“We wanted to create a beer that reflected the nature of Purbeck Folk Festival so it’s a lovely, laid back, heady honey beer that’s really summery with some wonderful local heather notes – a proper taste of Purbeck!” says Isle of Purbeck’s Pippa Lightbown.
Available only for the duration of the Purbeck Folk Festival over the August bank holiday weekend Buzz Lightbeer will be in good company with more than 50 regional beers and some 20 ciders as well.
Joe Hartle from Purbeck Cider has been preparing kegs of their Dorset Blush especially for the weekend.
“It’s a beautiful four per cent cider with a nice subtle berry finish,” says Joe. “It’s made from pure British raspberry and blackberry juice not concentrate and people are really understanding it because it’s just as it should be.”
With their famed Dorset Draught also on tap for the festival it’s certain Purbeck Cider will be hitting all the right notes with Purbeck folkies, as will the home-pressed cider from the internationally renowned Square & Compass pub at nearby Worth Matravers.
And to put some extra fizz into folk, Brent Smith from the Winterborne Kingston-based Sunny Republic will be bringing a range of cask beers including the Mighty Hop Dog IPA and keg lager Shark Head, their Dorset-brewed pilsner.
“Lager drinkers in this country have always been short changed by mass-produced rubbish that isn’t even lager,” says Brent. “Shark Head is not only a showcase of our art and skill as brewers, but an offering of true lager that has been properly conditioned for four weeks. Shark Head has its own natural fizz rather than being pumped full of carbon dioxide like the widely available big brand industrial lager.”
Purbeck Folk Festival takes place on a 600-acre working sheep farm at Langton Matravers from 21 to 24 August and is headlined by Turin Brakes, Lloyd Cole, Eddi Reader, Idlewild Acoustic, The South, Chris Wood, Nizlopi and Sally Barker from BBC’s The Voice.
“We’re really excited about meeting Buzz Lightbeer and getting to know some other local beers and ciders,” says festival director Michael Callaghan. “But we don’t need to travel to infinity and beyond – none of our beers has travelled more than 40 miles to be with us!
“This area is rich with producers that like nothing more than to come and share their wares with festival goers. Last year the drinkers were particularly enthusiastic, so much so that we started to run dry. At any other event that would be a real problem, but all credit to Pippa from Isle of Purbeck, Joe from Purbeck Cider and Brent from Sunny Republic, they jumped in their vans in the early hours of Sunday morning and brought emergency supplies to the thirsty folkies. Brilliant!”
As well as marvellous music and the best-stocked bar in the county, Purbeck Folk Festival promises four days of family-friendly magic and mirth a stone’s throw from the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The additional entertainment includes an on-site cinema programme, local food marquee, art interventions and workshops, a fancy dress parade, a poetry slam and kids’ activity pen with captivating storytelling sessions, singing workshops, balloon modelling, face painting and have-a-go circus skills sessions.
Until 30 June, weekend tickets (Fri-Sun) including free camping are on sale at just £90 (£45 12-17 years, £10 4-11 years, under 4s free). Day camping is available on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at £10 a night on arrival. A limited number of Festival day tickets will also be available.
Located in the village of Langton Matravers between Corfe Castle and Swanage, the land at Wilkswood Farm is devoted to conservation and environmental protection of a wide range of habitats. There’s a handy bus to Corfe Castle/Wareham and Swanage every hour both ways, while Harmans Cross station is a 15-minute walk away where you can catch the steam train to Swanage or Corfe Castle.
Purbeck Folk Festival, 21-24 August, Wilkswood Farm, Langton Matravers, Swanage, BH19 3DU. Box office: 023 8071 1818 www.purbeckfolk.co.uk
