Beer festival with ‘rude staff and poor atmosphere’ compared to Willy Wonka event
'I texted my boss in Glasgow, and I said this is the Willy Wonka festival of Manchester.'
A beer festival has been accused of becoming the next disastrous Willy Wonka experience after punters complained of rude staff and freezing cold conditions.
The first International Brewing and Cider (IBC) Festival, which was held in Manchester, saw visitors pay up to £38.50 for a ticket.
But guests complained there was a poor atmosphere at the Mayfield Depot venue, with the company admitting it was a ‘less than perfect experience’.
One guest described it as ‘by a country mile the worst event – not just beer event – I have ever attended’.
He went so far to compare it with the Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow, which was mocked mercilessly on the internet after families found ‘little more than an abandoned warehouse’.
Freddy Hardy, co-founder of independent Manchester brewery Courier Brewing Co, said ‘the vibe just wasn’t there’ due to a low turnout.
He estimated he only sold beer to around 20 people, half of whom he believed to be other business owners at the event.
Barman Matt Turner-Allen said he paid £38.50 for a ticket which came with six drink tokens.
But there are only for half pints of selected drinks.
He said the venue was quiet and freezing.
‘It is an old brick structure at the end of March, which if it is packed is fine but this was just not the right venue,’ he said.
‘I texted my boss in Glasgow, and I said this is the Willy Wonka festival of Manchester.
‘I have young kids and I have to be selective with my nights out, so it was a big disappointment.’
IBC told the BBC: ‘As the organiser of the oldest international brewing and cider awards in the world, we held the Awards in Manchester this year and wanted to bring the entries from around the world to the public in the city.
‘We adapted throughout the two days, ironing out some early teething troubles to deliver a better model as the event progressed.’
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