Free Beer and Festive Cheer!

Okell’s is back this Thursday (November 27) with its annual launch of St Nick’s Ale, the festive brew that signals the official start of Manx Christmas.

And in true annual tradition, the launch is being held… somewhere completely different once again. But it’s outside the capital…

This year’s lucky venue is The Whitestone in Ballasalla!

Festivities kick off from 6pm, with complimentary nibbles floating around throughout the night.

There’ll also be mulled cider for anyone who prefers their fruit hot and spiced, plus kids’ crafts, because nothing says ‘family friendly’ like trying to stop your child glue-gunning themselves to a pine cone while you’re three deep in seasonal ale.

At 7pm, the Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band will strike up outside, blasting festive cheer (and possibly the odd flat note depending on wind direction).

Also at 7pm ish, the moment everyone’s been waiting for: the brewery dray will roll in with the first firkin of St Nick’s Ale.

The very first servings of the new brew will be completely free until the barrel runs dry, which, based on previous years, gives you approximately 14 minutes to get to the bar. Maybe 10 if Gef is there.

The band will then head indoors later in the evening for a second round of festive tunes, just in case you didn’t hear ‘Jingle Bells’ the first time.

So if you fancy free beer, live music, mulled things and the annual migration of people who ‘never usually go out on a Thursday’ but you have spotted them at Saddleoke a few times… get yourself to Ballasalla.