Dudley &
South Staffordshire

Dudley Winter Ales Fayre 2022

Dudley & South Staffordshire CAMRA are pleased to announce that Dudley Winters Ales Fayre (DWAF) is going ahead this November. Stay tuned to this page for all the details...

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What beers have you on? Please see our list here... DWAF '22 beer list .

When is the fayre running?
We'll be running Thursday 24 November to Saturday 26 November.

Thursday we'll be running an Early Bird event for pre-sale ticket holders only between midday and 3pm, with general admission from 5:30pm to 11:00pm.

Friday the festival is open between midday and 11:00pm, Saturday we are also open from midday until 8:00pm, although the closing time is dependent on when the beer runs out.

What's in the programme?
We'll give you a copy as you arrive, but you'd be welcome to view a digital copy here: DWAF '22 programme

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The cost throughout is £20 per person for Thursday and Friday, but there are different tariffs dependant on whether you are a CAMRA member or not. For Saturday there is no difference for members and instead you will be paying for tokens and the compulsory glass.

To support costs of the festival, and that you secure a memento of the day, glasses won't be refunded.

Day of the week Opening times Dudley & South Staffs CAMRA members get Other CAMRA members get Non CAMRA members get
Thursday Noon - 15:00 (Early bird only), 17:00 - 23:00 £17 tokens £14 tokens £11 tokens
Friday Noon - 23:00 £17 tokens £14 tokens £11 tokens
Saturday Noon until 20:00 (or when the beer runs out). £3 entry with your own choice to tokens. We recommend starting with £10. £3 entry with your own choice to tokens. We recommend starting with £10. £3 entry with your own choice to tokens. We recommend starting with £10.

How does payment work at DWAF?
When you pay at the entrance, you'll get a card of tokens. When you order a drink, the team will strike out coinage value dependant on your purchase. If you wish to buy any more, you can do so at the membership stand. For any values left over, you can either get a refund on the remaining and/or drop it in the charity box.

Where is it and how do I get there?
It'll be at Dudley Town Hall in the town centre, on St James' Street. Google Maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sgSRauvefbznmBFG7

Or you can the What3Words - Dudley Town Hall link.

We recommend the best way to get there is taking a bus to Dudley Bus Station, where you'll have a five-ten minute walk. The town is very well served by many bus routes.

Drivers unfamiliar with Dudley may need to consider some of tram works taking place, in particular on the A459 Broadway, which runs from the A461 Dudley Southern Bypass at Castle Gate Island. For details of works, you may wish to view https://one.network/.

Railway users should be aware that we expect a strike to take place on Saturday. More details can be found at https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/journey-planning/service-disruption/industrial-action

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Will there be entertainment?
Friday evening and Saturday afternoon will have live acts in place. Thursday night is a "quiet night".

Can I pre-purchase tickets?
You certainly can... DWAF '22 online ticket purchase

But what if I want to show up on the day?
There is no obligation to pre-purchase, and you can indeed "rock up" on site and pay at the door, except for the "Early Bird" event. Those who have pre-paid do not have to queue at the cash desk and can instead come straight in.

Will you need volunteers to help?
Ooh yes. So many people needed!
We cannot run this festival without the kind support of volunteers, so all help is gratefully received. Please complete the from at DWAF '22 volunteer portal. You can also drop us a line at Dudley Winter Ales Fayre volunteers

I want to come to the Early Bird event, does this mean I can stay until closing?
Not entirely. The Early Bird event allows a limited number of attendees to come from midday on Thursday. However, we will temporarily close between 3pm and 5:30pm where we would encourage you to visit some of the fine pubs in the town centre.

Your Early Bird pass will allow you re-entry after 5:30pm on Thursday, so be sure to hold on to that.

We will also have a token system that allows for both re-entry and a fresh glass.

Will there be food available?
Yes, we will have caterers on site who will supply cobs, samosas, etc.

Are under 18s allowed?
Only on Saturday as part of our "family day". Those who are lucky enough to be in the 18-21 age bracket (or at least look like they are in that) may be required to show ID at the cash desk.

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I'm a driver so can't partake in drinking. What's there for me?
Firstly, thank you for supporting the safe transport for friends and family. We offer admissions to non-drinkers which affords you two free soft drinks.

I'm not really a beer drinker. What else is there?
We're an inclusive bunch so that's not a problem. We do appreciate that you don't want to waste money on things you don't enjoy. However, our friendly bar team can help. So if you have certain flavours or tastes that you like, they may be able to recommend something that you can have a taster of. If you like it: great. If not: we'll move somewhere else. We take great pride in introducing those who aren't familiar with ales but want to know if something is missing. Frankly, we'd rather you had a few tastes of something to get familar in the hope we can get you a full-sized drink you'd enjoy.

But it's not JUST about traditional ale there's also key beer (which is carbonated and may be more favourable for traditional lager drinkers). We'll also be serving a variety of cider, some wines and... for the first time... some premixed cocktails too. Water and soft drinks are also available.

I have accessibility issues
This is not a problem. There is a ramp you can use for getting in to the venue, and we also have accessible toilets to the right of the main hall, just as you would usually turn left in to the hall, go straight on. We have female and male toilets that are each down a separate flight of stairs.

I'm a smoker
Tobacco users, and this includes e cigarettes, cannot smoke within the hall. If you need a break, please move back out of the main hall and to the team in front of you, who will put your drink on the "card table", with a paired playing card to hand to you. You can then head out the front for a break, and then return to get your drink, once finished.

Will you be showing any of the World Cup matches?
As we already have entertainment booked in for DWAF, we won't be.

I would like to advertise in your programme.
All advertising has now been submitted for the programme and we're afraid we can't accept any more submissions.

I still have some questions.
Not a problem. Email us at ku.gro.armac.yeldud@retsambew and we'll answer you directly and then supply the responses in to this FAQ.