Bath pub lets off steam with Brunel birthday bash

Inn at Freshford landlord Mike Parkin prepares for Brunel’s birthday and April’s ‘Let Off Steam’ beer festival

THE Inn at Freshford is celebrating Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s birthday on Saturday April 12 with its inaugural ‘Let Off Steam Beer Festival’ – and it would like to invite all local traction engine enthusiasts to attend and display their marvellous machines.

The historic village Inn – owned by Bath’s Brunel-inspired Box Steam Brewery – will play host the Holt Morris Men and world-renowned Brunel impersonator and expert Martin Williamson.

Bar staff dressed in traditional Victorian attire will serve up a specially designed steam age food menu, as well as a range of Brunel-inspired beers and guest ales. Aptly named tipples will range from Tunnel Vision to Derail Ale. The day’s celebrations will culminate in an insightful beer tasting session from Box Steam Brewery’s Master Brewer Tom Downes.

 

Let Off Steam Beer Festival marks Brunel’s 208th birthday and the respective 150th and 160th anniversaries of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Paddington Station – two of the iconic engineer’s most acclaimed projects.

“Trains from the Great Western Railway stop at Freshford on a daily basis and Box Tunnel-inspired beers run through our pumps, so it’s only right we raise a glass to Isambard on his birthday,” said Mike Parkin, landlord at The Inn at Freshford.

“While the kids step back in time and discover how the great man influenced local engineering and architecture, parents can get a taste of how Brunel inspired local beer brewers.

“It’s going to be an interesting and thirst quenching day of Brunel celebrations, with top hats galore.”

If you’re able to attend with your traction engine, or any form of historic machinery, please do contact landlord Mike Parkin on 01225 722250. We’d be thrilled to hear from you.

The Let Off Steam Beer Festival starts at midday and is free. The beer tasting and Brunel talk starts at 4pm. Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased on the day, or in advance by calling 01225 722250.

For more updates on the event, follow @InnatFreshford on Twitter and look out for the #letoffsteam hashtag, or visit Facebook.com/theinnatfreshford.