Copmanthorpe’s annual beer festival is making a return this week!
Coptoberfest, which is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year, will once again see a village church turned into a beer hall for the weekend – with all proceeds going to charities and good causes.
The charity beer festival will take place at St Giles’ church in Copmanthorpe from Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 October.
To date, the event has raised over £27,000 with past beneficiaries including St. Leonard’s Hospice, 1st Copmanthorpe Scout Group, Copmanthorpe Brownies, Contact the Elderly, Panda Playgroup and the Primary School Wildlife club.
Coptoberfest aims to promote locality – and the festival will be serve 35 different beers and lagers from within a 25-mile radius of Copmanthorpe. Visitors can expect breweries like Ainsty Ales, Brew York, Northern Monk and Rudgate.
If you want to try something other than beer, then Fairfax Distillery of Colton will also be providing a selection of gins and cocktails, including a one-off ‘Coptoberfest Gin’ which promises a combination of ‘locally foraged berries and homegrown elderflower’.
Co-organiser and event founder, The Rev. Geoff Mumford, said, “As ever, Coptoberfest represents community and locality and we’re proud to be holding our 10th event – time certainly flies.
“We will be having the usual mix of great beer, live music and of course, Ged Bell’s pork pies! A huge amount of thanks and gratitude goes out to everyone who helps put the event together, every business who sponsor us and, of course, all those who attend.”
For 2024, there’s an additional session on Thursday evening which will feature no music, after organisers received feedback from those who prefer a quieter environment.
The event will formally open on Friday 11 October, with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, York’s Town Crier, Ben Fry, and YorkMix Radio in attendance.
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the opening of this year’s Coptoberfest beer festival.
“It’s a wonderful community event and a great opportunity for people to gather together and raise funds for local charities. I hope the festival will remind us that life is to be savoured – just like a well-brewed ale.”
Tickets are £5 and are available on the door, and one ticket is valid for all three sessions. For more information, visit the Coptoberfest website.