Raising a glass to the beer walk

DRINKERS will soon be able to indulge in a commemorative pint to remember the scrapped Saddleworth Beer Walk.

A special ale, appropriately called The Last Leg, has been brewed to mark the demise of the popular extravaganza that has run for the last 38 years. It will go on sale around June 2 — when this year’s walk should have taken place.

Master brewer Jon Frankel has teamed up with Matthew Sykes, a member Saddleworth Round Table, to make the project happen. Jon said: “The new beer will be on the Indian Pale Ale side — tasty, hoppy and very quaffable — a real session beer.

“I have been working on the recipe for some months and I think it will give appreciative, real-ale drinkers a distinctive, memorable taste.

“Most importantly, they will know that for every pint sold, a percentage of the money will be given to the Round Table, who in turn will ensure it goes to needy charities and local good causes.”

The beer walk, which saw thousands of fund-raisers take to the streets, was cancelled after problems plagued last year’s celebration.

Thousands of unofficial walkers tagged along, duping locals into donating charity cash before using it to fund their drinking. Violence and drunkenness also escalated.

Round Table organisers made the heartbreaking decision to call off the event after they were told they would have to take full responsibility for volunteer marshals and factor in police and clean-up costs.

The idea of the commemorative ale has been praised by Peter Alexander, chairman of the local branch of The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

He said: “It’s a terrific idea — we applaud their efforts.

“Anything that promotes real ale and charities has got to be a good plan.”

The Saddleworth Round Table have distanced themselves from any unofficial walk.

A spokesman said: “The official walk is definitely off. We are having nothing to do with any unofficial event in whatever guise. We have made that very clear.”


Ales from across the world go on sale for an Oldham festival this week.
Three local Wetherspoons pubs - The Up Steps Inn, High Street, The Squire Knott, Yorkshire Street and the recently-opened Shay Wake in Shaw will stock the beers until April 1.

The pubs will offer speciality beers from across the UK and some from Russia, South Africa, Norway, USA and Belgium.