Otley Beer festival is a charity event – that is organised to raise funds for charitable causes thanks to main sponsors and ‘sponsor-a-barrel’; but mainly thanks to the help and efforts of our friends from the Parish Church and those from the local community. We are also indebted to local branches of CAMRA and the ever helpful local breweries.
Since 2002 we have raised just over £37,500 for the Parish Church and for local charities.

It all began in 1997 when the then Assistant Priest organised a small beer festival to help with Otley Parish Church’s “Open To All” appeal – this was to raise money for much needed restoration work. 14 beers were assembled in the first floor function room of the Black Horse in the centre of Otley and 8 of these had a ‘clerical’ theme – Bishop’s Finger, Vicar’s Ruin, Rector’s Revenge, etc. Special guest was brewing vicar the Rev. Godfrey Broster who brought along three beers from his Rectory Ales Brewery; he also gave a tutored tasting presentation.

Five years later in 2002 the present Vicar launched the “East Window Appeal” to raise funds for the restoration of the crumbling stonework and sagging leaded supports for the Parish Church’s magnificent stained glass East Window and thus the idea of another beer festival was resurrected. A much larger 2nd Otley Beer Festival in Otley Civic Centre was devised, having 42 beers plus a cider. Local brewery Briscoe’s provided no less than five of the beers. Six of the beers were served by handpumps, thus allowing provision of 18 gall. kilderkins.
Tigertops 4.5% Blanche de Newland proved to be Beer of the festival.

For 2003 the popular ‘Sponsor-a-barrel’ scheme was launched and the monies raised went to complete the works associated with the “East Window Appeal”. Beer range was increased to 54 beers and 4 ciders.
Beer of the festival was Briscoe’s 6.1% Parker’s Pet.

In 2004 we were fortunate to have a main sponsor. Beer range increased to 56 plus 4 ciders.  Handpumps increased to 8. A specially commissioned souvenir bottled beer was also available.
The beer of the festival was Tigertops  4.8% Uberweiss.

For 2005, following completion of the restoration of the Church’s east window, we chose in future to donate monies raised to ‘Local Charities’ as well as the Parish Church. Once again 56 beers were available, with 8 on handpumps. However, a second ‘Global Beer Bar’ was introduced into the lower hall and this had 5 ciders plus once again a specially commissioned beer and, thanks to a main sponsor, a selection of 8 bottled beers from Belgium, Czechoslovakia and Germany.
Beer of the Festival was Old Bear 4.5% RATS Blood.

In 2006 we were fortunate to have two main sponsors. 56 beers, with 8 on handpumps again. 5 ciders & perry and 10 bottled beers in the Global Bar.
Beer of the Festival was Fernandes 3.9% Triple OOO.

For 2007 we had an increase to 3 main sponsors, with one  kindly donating bar and handpump loan. 59 beers were available, with 10 on handpumps. The Global Beer bar now had 6 ciders & perry,  8 bottled beers and also a special selection of other bottled beers.
Beer of the festival was Fox & Newt 5.0% Dark Side.

2008 was a record year for customers. 61 real ales were available, with 13 of them available on handpumps plus a larger selection of bottled beers – including some from the Otley brewery in Pontypridd, Wales. Not quite a sell-out, but almost, with only 5 available at the close. No less than 8 beers were especially produced for this ‘Year of the RAT’ festival and one of them – Saltaire Maple Port Ale 4.9% was voted Beer of the Festival.

2009 once again broke all attendance records and hence monies raised for charity. 63 real ales were available, with 15 of them available from handpumps plus a selection of 13 bottled beers and also ciders and perry. Almost a sell-out again, but still some left at the finish.
For the second year running Saltaire Brewery won ‘Beer of the Festival’, this time with Madagascan Ale 5.0%.