Beer Festival Manager Derek Bishop helps customers decide.

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway's first Spring Beer Festival, held over the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend, has been judged a resounding success by both customers and railway staff. The festival was held in the meeting room at Havenstreet with 14 Real Ales on tap. The beers were sourced from the three local Isle of Wight breweries and from other 'Island' breweries around the United Kingdom. A customer survey showed a high level of approval of both beer range and of Havenstreet as a Beer Festival venue. The number of customers surpassed expectations with all three festival sessions being very busy.

14 ales ready to go at the start of the festival.

Beer Festival Manager Derek Bishop commented "This was our first effort at running a Beer Festival as an independent event, although we do have 11 years experience gained from running the Summer Steam Show Real Ale Festival, serving over 40 beers each year. I wasn't really sure how many customers we would attract as the publicity was also fairly low-key. By a combination of judgment and sheer good luck my beer order proved to be absolutely spot-on with all 14 ales still available at the start of the final session but only three left by the end of it! I have been encouraged by the many positive comments received but have also identified some areas where we can offer a much improved service in the future. This has been an extremely successful event, one that we will almost certainly want to repeat!"

Tony Barry and Derek Bishop keep the beer flowing!

Although the Beer Festival was the focus of attention, other attractions kept Bank Holiday visitors to the IWSR entertained. On Saturday a brass band gave a very well received concert and on May Day mainland and Island Morris sides danced in the Station Yard, also keeping the Beer Festival bar staff busy! During the May Day afternoon the annual coronation of the Havenstreet May Queen took place on the Railway's show ground. The May Queen's procession made it's way through the village headed by the Vectis Corps of Drums for the ceremony which was followed by May Pole dancing and other festivities.

May Day Morris Men.

The Havenstreet May Queen and entourage.

The local children's May Pole dancing display.

W8 'Freshwater', seen here at Smallbrook Junction on Bank Holiday Monday, was in charge of all May Day Holiday trains.

Further details of other special events being held at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway can be found on the Special Events pages. Beer aficionados should note that there will be a Real Ale Bar at the 1940's Weekend and during the August Bank Holiday Steam Show our renowned Beer Festival will once again feature over 40 Real Ales!