Phil Gillam: Please read responsibly

So said the great Frank Sinatra, a man who certainly knew a thing or two about drinking.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Before Shropshire’s health experts begin writing to me about the many and varied dangers of alcohol, perhaps I should say a couple of things straight away.

Yes, people who drink heavily have a greater risk of liver disease, heart disease, sleep disorders, depression, stroke and a whole load of other nasty things.

So – as they say – please drink responsibly.

What we are talking about here, ladies and gentlemen, is social drinking, not drinking yourself into the middle of next week!

Certainly, in this day and age of greater awareness, Mr Sinatra’s statement might be seen as politically incorrect, but it’s still very funny.

Anyway. What I’m getting around to saying is that Oktoberfest comes to Shrewsbury Quarry (and elsewhere around the town) on October 6, 7 and 8, an event boasting "150 real ales, comedy, live music and amazing food”.

Promoters also point out there will be a lager bar, cider and perry, prosecco parlours, a gin den and “mixology classes” … plus a farmers’ market and a wide range of exhibitors from the National Trust’s Attingham Park to the Cheshire Pie Company, and from Chilton Liqueurs to Coopers Sausage Rolls.

Shropshire Festivals, the team behind organising the Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire Kids Festival, Shrewsbury Winter Festival and others, are behind this one too.

It all sounds pretty marvellous to me!

And as no lesser person than Benjamin Franklin, founding father of the United States, once said: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Let’s get a little more detail on this festival:

Organisers say: “We will have over 150 real ales served by awesome brewers from across the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) Wales and West region. Staff that know all about beer and will be able to help you choose the perfect pint! If real ale isn’t your thing then we have the Wye Valley Lager Bar which will be serving up local lager from across the region - you'll find NO national brands at this festival!

“On the cider and perry front, it's harvest time and so you fancy some apple or pear juice.... well we have it in its finest form and you'll definitely be able to get one or two of your five a day sampling the delights of the producers who have booked in to take part in the festival. From Applesecco to real Herefordshire perry there will be something for all taste buds.

“Turning our attention to gin, we love the stuff and so we have made a whole tent with a tasting theatre too. Grab a cocktail, grab it neat or try something a bit different.”

Visitors to the Quarry will be able to pull up a pew at the comedy club.

"We are pulling together some of the funniest people on the comedy circuit and you’ll be able to enjoy them in the comedy zone.”

There’s also a wide range of live music on offer from classic rock ’n’ roll from The Dirty Rockin Scoundrels to the quirky pop covers of Michaela Wylde and Ben Folger. There will also be folk and country music, soul, funk and disco, as well as innovative singer-songwriter Olly Flavell, some 1970s rock, and the German beer festival band Vorsprung Durch Oompah.

“We are also planning the biggest party Shropshire has ever seen so be assured there will be bar games, there will be challenges and there will be a lot of fun and frolics.”

Meanwhile, in addition to those already mentioned, exhibitors will include Bare Bones Pizza, with their 10-inch wood-fired pizzas; Aroma Tea and Coffee Merchants, Darwins - offering crepes, milkshakes and frappes; and many more.

Full details on the festival website shropshireoktoberfest.co.uk