Barnaby Festival has teamed up with Macclesfield brewery RedWillow to create 'Estival' art-beer in celebration of midsummer.

Devised by RedWillow's expert brewers, the beer is a hoppy session IPA at 4.2% ABV which will be perfect for summer drinking.

Bollington-based artist Sue Asbury, who created Barnaby Festival's familiar mill logo, was commissioned to create an artwork for the beer.

The name came from Sue's partner Nick Asbury who works in collaboration with Sue as Asbury and Asbury.

Nick wrote the poem Barnaby Bright in 2010 inspired by an old folk rhyme. It refers to the longest day and the shortest night 'Barnaby bright, Barnaby bright, Light all day and light all night'.

The name of the beer Estival means belonging to or appearing in summer and conjures up the warmth and light of the midsummer sun.

The label design is from one of Sue Asbury's paintings, from a series inspired by the summer solstice, when Barnaby traditionally takes place. It also takes inspiration from the opportunities for us to come together in the town in our hospitality venues.

Sue's work is also influenced by the music that she listens to whilst painting, the track that inspired the selected artwork for Estival is Funkadelic's 1971 track Can You Get To That.

Estival will be released with its artwork, available to buy in cans from the RedWillow website and from other local distributors from Tuesday June 15.

The beer will also be available in all RedWillow's bars including Macclesfield and on handpull complete with the bespoke artwork featured on its pumpclip.

RedWillow is a Macclesfield brewery set up in 2010 by Toby and Caroline Mckenzie. They produce a range of craft beer from the brewery sites in Macclesfield and run two bars.

To celebrate the collaboration and Barnaby Bright there will be a midsummer beer launch on Sunday 20 June at RedWillow Macclesfield.

The event, on Father's Day, will feature an exhibition of the series of Estival paintings and summer sounds played by local DJ Scott Thornton of Basement Traxx. The paintings will be on sale along with the beer.

Dr Abi Gilmore, Co-chair of Barnaby Festival, said: "This latest collaboration with RedWillow is the perfect partnership for Barnaby.

"Not only are we celebrating Macclesfield's heritage but we are bringing together the creativity and craft brewing expertise of the town in perfect harmony.

"Estival is both a fine sessionable beer and a beautiful piece of artwork, and is also 'not quite a festival' just like Barnaby Bright.

"I can't think of a better thing to do on the Sunday of the Barnaby weekend than listen to great sounds, enjoying quality beer with friends and family and relishing Sue's amazing paintings".

To attend, book your table via the RedWillow website.

RedWillow Brewery are award-winning beer specialists founded in 2010.

Their brewery is located in Sutton, and they have a bar premises on 32a Park Green, Macclesfield.

They also have a bar in Buxton, in the High Peak.

Dogs and families are welcome at both of their bars, so trying an Estival may be the perfect way for adults to relax after a day out at this year's Barnaby.

Barnaby Bright brought to you by the team at Barnaby Festival. All events will be delivered with measures in place to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Social distancing will be monitored carefully.

For full programme information and ticketing please look on Barnaby Festival's website.

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