I’ve just realised that it’s now nearly a month since the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) at Earls Court and then realised that I’d not written about it, party because I’ve been so busy since getting back but mainly because It was such a whirlwind of a day that I no matter what I write I will miss some of the great beers that were enjoyed in great company.
Earls Court
For me that’s THE most important thing about GBBF, It’s about meeting up drinking beer and having a great time, the only downside is that there are so many great beers and so many friendly, interesting people that after the first 3 hours I was not only rather light headed and boiling hot I was also completely shattered.
I really should have learnt my lesson from last year as I once again found my self starting on a stronger beer than I should, in this case it was Ballast Point Habanero Sclupin IPA, It was 7% ABV and packed full of really hot chilli, totally unbalanced and not something I really want to drink again and certainly not the best idea I’ve had for a first beer at t festival, but a beer that I couldn’t resit.
Stupidly that didn’t put me off the other beers with Chilli in, the best one definitely being Hot and Spicy from De Molen, It was dark, smoky, had plenty of chocolate and coffee and then a not too hot or overpowering hint of chilli, pretty much the perfect chilli beer and the best one I’ve ever had….or at least that’s what the scribbles in my GBBF beer list say.
The same scribblings mention a wide range of beer from around the world and I’m proud to say plenty from the UK, I definitely drank more UK beer this year than last. I also drank way more Pilsners, mainly due to the heat but also the quality of the beers available.
I’m not going to list and analyse the beers, I’m far too lazy and didn’t make many notes as was too busy having a laugh. I will however say the hi-lights other than those mentioned above were (in no particular order)
- Bristol Beer Factory Acer
- CantillionLambic
- Girardin Kriek
- Elav Grunge IPA
- Pivovar Broumov Corriander
- Pivovar Broumov Pepper
- The low ABV Czech beer which I can’t remember the name of or find in the book.
- Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and Store – Brewmaster Flash and the Furious Five Hops.
- Stuart Howe’s Offal Ale – not technically a GBBF beer but I’d taken a bottle to share and it went down surprisingly well.
Kinver brewery and a rather drunken beer blogger
The pork scratchings and food were on top form again too and hats off to Reluctant Scooper for brightening my day with his ginger merkin, the Guys from Kinver Brewery for their brilliant t-shirts and to everyone that I met on the day.
If you were one of the people I met later in the day, I apologise for my drunkenness/tiredness, If you were on of the people I said I’d say hi to and didn’t, sorry about that too, I’ll catch you next time I promise.
Oh and I hope that those of you that tried the Vindaloo Mix recovered to fight another day. (Thanks @Beerymatt + @Mrsbeerymat)
The Wednesday was spent trying to keep cool and not spend too much money, hard when there are so many great places to eat and drink, The Darkstar Hophead in the Harp was in great nick until a wasp decided to drown it’s self in the last couple of mouth fulls. The Mikkeller in Craft Beer Co was delicious and the Mexican food in Wahaca was simply amazing
It was my first GBBF for a long time, I must share your comments regarding the No. available, the fact that a beer list did not go up till very late on the CAMRA GBBF site made my planning a bit too last minute. The availability of ales from area’s which I rarely visit was my first priority, second to try some of the thornbridge range I’d not been able to, and thirdly be aware I was very time limited this year as I’d volunteered to work. I had a tasting session booked which was very good, I got to try 3 thornbridge ales, fantastic and then samples about 6 others from various parts of the UK off my list….answer has to be spend more time at Olympia next year!!!! Oh & perhaps suggest 1/4 pint marked glasses LOL??!!
lol Andy! i was a bit surprised at the number of ales that weren’t ready too, although I fear that my beer count may have gone up too much had they been on as there was at least 4 beers that I didn’t get to try.
The Vindaloo mix that you almost killed @cheeeseboiger with you mean?? ;D
hahah yeah GD that’s the stuff, @cheeesboiger is as soft as he looks..
Oooooo!! Don’t go there girl! lol ;D
I am so jealous that you got to have Brewmaster Flash & the Furious Five Hops! They didn’t have it on when I went there which was a massive disappointment, being a massive hip-hop fan! How was it?