GBBF: An exciting away-day for my liver and arteries!

[major_clanger]

I can't remember exactly how long it is that I've been going to the Great British Beer Festival; I think vicarage dragged me along some time in the mid-90s at which point I promptly joined CAMRA and have been going fairly regularly ever since. The key lesson I soon learned is to go during the afternoon rather than the evening, unless queues ten-deep at the beer stands are your thing. So yesterday I pitched up at about half-one, obtained a glass and a programme (450 beers!) and started sampling. Pretty soon I ran into ms_cataclysm's R, together with mutual friend R from pub quizzing; the afternoon also featured the newly-arrived-in-London cairmen and B, plus pogodragon and barking_watcher who we ran into a little later. Oh, and Paul T was stewarding.

I ended up trying some seven different beers (my tasting notes got a bit fragmentary towards the end). I didn't set out to drink mainly porters and stouts, but I do like dark beer and there were so many on offer it was hard to avoid trying them. I'd have to pick the ever-reliable Spectrum Brewery's Black Buffle as the pick of the bunch, but special mentions should go to Highland's Dark Munro and, from the US stand, Martha's Exchange Smoked Porter. As a porter it was relatively light-coloured (dark ruby more than deep brown) but the taste was superb.

Scariest sight of the afternoon: the EU Pork Scratchings Mountain:



There was some discussion as to whether Real Ale and Pork Scratchings constitute a balanced diet, or if they just counteract each other's effects. Further research is indicated.

Comments

[nmg.livejournal.com]

The last time I went to the GBBF, I had just finished the fortnight induction onto the Atkins Diet, out of a sense of solidarity with ias. Unfortunately, ias had dropped out of the induction fortnight due to work stress (aftermath of a student death in halls).

I foolishly decided a) to start with cider and b) to move on to mild. Sugary beer on a constitution that has had no carbs in a fortnight was a big mistake.

[nmg.livejournal.com]

On the plus side, the pork scratchings were Atkins-friendly.

[cdave]

I had no time off left this year, or I'd be there now.

I have received a text message letting me know that someone has purchased a bag of "Hog lumps" for my later delectation.

[whotheheckami.livejournal.com]

I was there for the trade day on Tuesday and met up with Anders at the Rest of the World stand. I can't say I was convinced by the smoked beers - too fag-ashy for me. I was particularly taken by Flowerpot's Elder Ale - a very subtle golden beer at a low abv of 3.8.

There may have been moules at Belgo later

[hatusu.livejournal.com]

"Pork scratchings" sounds like a skin condition.

More beer!

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

Well, I suppose for the pigs in question, it is.

"You have a skin condition?"

"Hell yes - some bastard removed it, chopped it into little strips and slow-roasted it!"

[unwholesome-fen.livejournal.com]

I survived a week of stewarding, only to strain my calf muscles by dancing drunkenly at the staff party afterwards. It's actually only the second time I've stewarded a beer festival (the first time being Cambridge this year), although I've done most other jobs over the years. It gives you an interesting perspective - all kinds of things go on that (if the stewards do a good job) most people at the festival will never find out about. Friday night was totally mad of course.

The numbers are up this year, with more than 70,000 people over the course of the week, with a peak of 19,000+ there at the same time on Friday evening. It's interesting that beer festivals are increasing in popularity despite the recession, whilst pubs are in decline. I guess society is changing in some subtle way.