Beer festival gets woman's touch

Beer festivals may conjure up images of big bellies and beards, but one Black Country landlady is out to prove they can be a far more feminine affair.

Mother-of-three Stephanie Corcoran is single-handedly organising one of Sandwell's biggest beer festivals of the year at her pub in Rowley Regis. As well as her usual cask ales that are on sale, she is bringing in another 16 brands ready for thirsty locals and visitors alike.

Every drink comes with expert tasting notes to help customers find out if they prefer their beer golden and hoppy, full-bodied and malty, fruity or even with hints of toffee and nut.

All this from a woman who says she does not even drink beer. "I'll taste every cask ale we serve so I know what I'm talking about but if I'm out I'd never order a beer," she said.

"If I have to drink it I like something a bit sweeter, there's one called the Barn Owl that tastes quite toffee-ish and that's quite nice.

"This is just something I wanted to do for my regulars."

She added: "It's been really hard work organising it all but I'm really looking forward to it. I decided I wanted to do it in January and I just starting writing off to all the breweries to choose my ales."

Stephanie, aged 42, has been landlady of the Bell and Bear pub on Gorsty Hill Road for six years. The festival runs from May 16 to 18.