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Beer festival organisers have confirmed that there will be another festival this year, which it is hoped will be even bigger and better than the 2005 event.
Last year more than 600 people turned up for the sell-out event at the Durham Ox, which raised £3500 for local charities.
"People seem to have enjoyed it so much that we couldn't not do it again," said carouser-in-chief James Houston after a recent meeting with fellow Carousers at the Durham Ox. "This year we'll be hiring an organiser to take on the heart of the organising and fundraising work, and we hope to be building on the food and live music parts of the event, as well of course as the fine real ales and ciders."
One possible change this year may be the venue - one idea to come out of the recent meeting is to rename the event the Galtres Festival and to move it around local villages. Sutton on the Forest is the likely venue for this year, with Saturday 23 September the provisional date.
"We're looking forward to another great day appreciating fine ales, excellent music and very good food," said James.
News Release - 20 September 2005
BEER FESTIVAL IS A SELL-OUT SUCCESS
More than £3500 was raised for local charities at the sell-out beer festival in Crayke last Sunday.
Around 600 people turned up to the Durham Ox for a fantastic day of live music, 40 real ales, dancing and fun. A storyteller entertained some children as others had their faces painted by the UK champion facepainter Phizog, while bands played in the marquee and the Morris dancers entertained the crowds out the front.
"Brilliant," said Peter Cliff of Crayke Estate, adding that the organisers had "created another great event for Crayke from which the village, charities and lots of people will benefit. It must have been a lot of hard work, but at least it was all hugely appreciated - well done!"
"Thanks to everyone who helped on the day, to the organising committee, to the sponsors, the musicians and entertainers, to the Durham Ox, and to everyone who helped make the day such fun and raise so much money for charity," said James Houston, chief carouser. "We hope to be passing on around £2000 to St Monica's very soon, and the balance to other deserving causes in the area."
News Release - 19 September 2005
DALESIDE BLONDE CROWNED FESTIVAL CHAMPION
The first firkin to sell out at today's Crayke ale festival was Daleside Blonde, from Harrogate's Daleside Brewery, and so was declared the Champion Ale of the Festival. Sponsored by Gillian Robson of Bubbles hair and beauty salon in Easingwold, it may not be a coincidence that her husband Shaun was seen sinking more than a few pints of the excellent brew within minutes of the Festival opening!
Described as "a refreshing golden beer with a hoppy aroma and a crisp palate," it certainly went down well. Gillian was said to be "delighted" that her ale became Festival champion, but perhaps less so about the state of her husband a few hours later!
A close second was the Brown Cow Brewery's special beer commissioned for the festival, Drunken Ox ale, which gasped its last half pint just a few minutes later. This was a pale and fruity ale, with a "good level of refreshing bitterness, clean and complex with a full depth of flavour". Brewers Sue and Keith Simpson came along to the festival to check their ales were in prime condition and enjoy some of the other brews on offer.
In total 35 ales were all on offer. At a special sponsors' reception on the Saturday evening before the festival opened to the public, each of the ales was tasted and declared to be in prime condition. By the end of the festival late Sunday night most of the barrels were empty - as well as the lighter ales selling well many of the higher gravity beers were popular too, especially Rudgate's Well Blathered at 5% abv, Marston Moor's Brewer's Droop, also at 5%, and Wharfedale's Executioner at 4.6%. Other outstanding beers worth a mention include Abbey Bells' Hoppy Daze and Hambelton's Stud.
News Release - 24 August 2005
ENTERTAINMENTS LINE-UP TAKES SHAPE
So what if you think you're not a real ale drinker - that’s no excuse !!
An exciting line-up of music and entertainment is being arranged for Crayke’s beer festival - designed to appeal to just about everyone:
1. Five bands have signed up to play at intervals in the beer marquee throughout the day - most of them singer-songwriters, with a headline set by the always popular Dangleberries.
2. Ebor Morris dancers will be returning to Crayke to shake the bells and bang their sticks in the courtyard in they way only they can.
3. For children there’s a dedicated fun tent in the garden, with a children’s storyteller to captivate them plus an entertainer performing amazing magic and balloon tricks.
4. BBQ and cheese tasting on all day. The Ox is also serving bar meals as usual.
5. And if you’re that way inclined there are real lagers and ciders on sale too, plus a soft drinks bar, and the usual Durham Ox bar.
Programme
News Release - 17 August 2005
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR BEER FESTIVAL TICKETS YET?
Tickets for Crayke’s first real ale festival are now selling fast, after first appearing at July’s Crayke Gala.
Local people hoping to attend are encouraged to get theirs before they sell out, with ticket sales in York and Easingwold taking off well. 
“We’re delighted at the high levels of interest in the Festival, but hope that everyone in Crayke and the surrounding area manage to get tickets, as well as the visitors coming from outside, said organiser James Houston. “We’ve got a fantastic line-up of fine ales, music and entertainment for the day - we just hope you don’t miss out.”
Tickets, which include a free Festival glass, cost £5 in advance and are available now from the Durham Ox in Crayke, or Bubbles and Easitravel in Easingwold. Tickets can also be ordered by phoning 01904 466687. If any remain, they will be sold for £7 on the door.
Tickets for a beer-bus service between York, Easingwold and Crayke are now also available - tel 01347 824813. The minibus leaves York at 12 noon and returns at 10.30pm.
News Release - 10 August 2005
THIRTY FIRKINS OF NORTH YORKSHIRE ALE HEAD FOR CRAYKE
Beer festival organisers are delighted to have attracted excellent support from local businesses for the event, which has enabled them to order a lot more beer than was originally planned.
30 barrels are on their way from North Yorkshire’s 20 independent breweries - including Hambleton, Cropton and York - and this means in turn that the orgainsers expect to raise a lot of money for St Monica’s and other local charities.
beer list
News Release - 14 April 2005
CRAYKE EVENT TO LINK UP WITH MAJOR YORK FESTIVAL
Crayke’s beer festival on 18 September forms a key part of the annual York Festival of food and Drink this year.
Michael Hjort, organiser of the York Festival, said he was delighted to include the Crayke event in the Festival Drinks programme, and to feature it in the national publicity.
The York Food and Drink Festival is keen to support local producers, and the Crayke event which is promoting North Yorkshire independent breweries will feature as a high profile part of the Festival Drinks Programme.
Organisers may be inviting a beer expert or the brewers themselves to briefly introduce the beers available at the Crayke festival.
News Release - 7 April 2005
YORK MULTIMEDIA AND SOLARWALL JOIN LIST OF FESTIVAL SPONSORS
Festival organisers are hoping that businesses connected with Crayke will sponsor all of the firkins of beer - meaning all of the proceeds from beer sales can be donated to the Festival’s selected charity - St Monica’s Hospice. Put simply, the more you drink on the day, the more the charity benefits!
So far web developers York Multimedia and insulation specialists Solarwall have pledged a wad of cash for beer. Event host the Durham Ox is also on board as a sponsor, as are builders Robson Developments who will be building the stillage.
Could a business you are involved in co-sponsor this event?
Contact James Houston on 01347 824813.
News Release - 1 April 2005
Plans take shape for Crayke’s first beer festival: Big day is set for Sunday September 18 2005
A celebration of the finest ale to be found in North Yorkshire will be taking place in Crayke this Autumn, as part of a day of music, entertainment and some serious beer tasting at the Durham Ox.
Drawing on ales from the county’s 20 independent breweries - including Cropton, York, Malton, and Hambleton - the event is set to draw crowds from York and beyond, as well as serving the local community.
“It should be a fun family day out,” said organiser James Houston. “And we hope to raise a lot of cash for St Monica’s Hospice, our chosen charity.
Mike Ibbotson, landlord of host venue The Durham Ox, added: “As well as around 16 local ales we’ll be putting on a barbeque throughout the day and musical entertainment.”
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