Ashton Lane is the heart and soul of the West End social circuit, the bars (Brel, The Loft, Ubiquitous Chip, Nude, Radio, Jinty McGinty's, Cul De Sac, The Lane, Vodka Wodka and The Wee Chip) have teamed up to present the inaugural Ashton Lane Beer Festival which will take place from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th October 2005.

The festival will start at 5pm on Wed 26th and run 'til 1am on Sun 30th Sept. (subject to licensing permissions).

A wide variety and selection of beers and lagers will be offered (some never before seen in Ashton Lane or indeed, we are sure, elsewhere in Scotland), including beers from Germany, Russia, Belgium, Brazil and India. ALPA (Ashton

Lane Proprietors Association) has commissioned The Houston Brewing Company to brew a brand new ale especially for the festival, "ASHTON LANE ALE" which will be available in bottles or draft, at the Festival and thereafter in outlets throughout Scotland and the North of England. It is proposed to offer interesting foods compatible with the beers e.g. frankfurters, chicken, mussels...we are also pleased to offer at least one non alcoholic exotic European beer.

A whole programme of events has been scheduled with a eclectic selection of entertainment on show, featuring street entertainers Mischief la Bas and, with the co-operation of our local residents, live bands on outdoor stages, including the Glasgow based funk driven soulsters 'The Boogaloo Investigators'.

In addition each venue will be hosting it's very own special entertainment, amongst which is the Irish singer folk songwriter Andy White and jazz outfit 'The Fusion Experience' at Brel , 'The Rogues' at The Loft Beer fest Halloween party, a double bill of "Dawn of the Dead" and "Shaun of the Dead" at The Grosvenor Cinema, and much much more.

An 8 page brochure is in preparation and shortly the web site www.ashtonlanebeerfest.com will reveal all.

Brian Sharp, Managing Director of Scottish Brewers, commented: "The West End of Glasgow is one of Scotland's most vibrant places, so as pioneers of big and speciality beer brands, we're delighted to be associated with the very first Ashton Lane Beer Fest."

Karl Wengel, owner and master brewer of Houston Brewing Company, says?." It is very unusual and encouraging to see so many publicans working together to the benefit of the Glasgow beer drinker. We are delighted to contribute to the ASHTON LANE BEER FEST with our own specially brewed ASHTON LANE ALE."

Please Note* - ALPA promotes safe and sensible drinking practices, has regular monthly meetings with outside bodies including the Police and local Councillor, is represented on Hillhead Community Council and The West End Pubwatch and attends both organisations' monthly meetings. ALPA is sure this inaugural ASHTON LANE BEER FEST will be a happy, safe and jovial event benefiting not only The West End but Glasgow as a whole.