West of England artisan meat and drink will take centre stage next month when The Original Sausage and Cider Festival Co. stages its first event in Bristol.
More than 30 ciders sourced from the area and beyond will be on sale at the Bristol Sausage and Cider Festival, along with sausages made by Bristol-based Sausagenuis and Buckland Venison, based near Frome. 
The festival, which takes place at The Passenger Shed at Temple Meads on Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6, is the brainchild of ciderbods.co.uk founder Crispin Slee, who runs food and drink festivals across the UK.
Among the ciders on tap will be Badger’s Spit from the Chants in Midsomer Norton, Wilkins cider from Mudgley in Somerset and Janet’s Jungle Juice, a Bristol favourite from West Croft Cider in Brent Knoll.
Bristol’s own sausage royalty Sausagenius will be serving up meaty delights such as the Toulouse Basquer, the Dawkins Ale Cumberland and, for non-meat eaters, the Delectable Veggie Banger.
For the lean meat lovers, Buckland Venison will be delivering treats including a recipe specially created for the festival.
Entertainment will be provided by DJ Waggles, just back from performing at Glastonbury, the Crinkle Cuts, who with their tantric funk and smooth reggae are regulars on the Bristol music scene, and folk fuelled, jazz-jive boogie band The Rin Tins.
The event has already attracted more than 5,000 fans on social media in just two months.
The festival is supported by cider lovers Nina Allwood and Dan Martin, co-founders of Bristol blog LifestyleDistrict.co.uk, recently shortlisted for best photography blog in the UK Blog Awards.
Crispin said: “We can’t wait to bring the festival to Bristol. It combines the best cider with the best sausages from the best local producers and the best local music.
“Bristol knows how to party and we are delighted to introduce a new festival to the line-up of brilliant events this summer.”
Tickets for the Bristol Sausage and Cider Festival are £6 in advance and can be bought at www.sausageandciderfestival.co.uk/bristol
There will be three separate five-hour sessions; 6pm – 11pm on August 5, and 12pm to 5pm and 6pm to 11pm on August 6.
