Great British Beer Festival
Jun 13th, 2005, 12:54 PM
#1
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Great British Beer Festival
Has anyone experienced the Great British Beer Festival? We are going to be in London when it is going on and are looking for some details from anyone that has previously been. Does the entrance fee include any beer tasting? If not, what does it cost at each booth to sample the beer? Overall, is it worth the $$ and time to attend or would we have more fun hanging out in a pub?
Jun 13th, 2005, 01:27 PM
#2
I love beer festivals, but I tend to go to them to taste beers that I have not tasted before - maybe to taste the highly rated and award winning types, to see if my opinion matches the judges.
If you are a visitor to the UK, and have not tasted many UK Ales (The beer festival would tend to be predominantly about Ales - with fewer Lagers), then you might find it more entertaining to just visit a lot of Pubs, and try different brews.
For example, In London you might want to try a pub owned by Fullers, and sample half a pint each of their 7 or 8 different types of beer. The next day (Or evening if you have a strong constitution) you might want to do the same for a "Youngs" pub, or a free house.
At 7GBP entrance, the festival looks quite expensive to me. I would expect at this price to have a t least a couple of half pints included, but the official website does not mention this.
If you are a visitor to the UK, and have not tasted many UK Ales (The beer festival would tend to be predominantly about Ales - with fewer Lagers), then you might find it more entertaining to just visit a lot of Pubs, and try different brews.
For example, In London you might want to try a pub owned by Fullers, and sample half a pint each of their 7 or 8 different types of beer. The next day (Or evening if you have a strong constitution) you might want to do the same for a "Youngs" pub, or a free house.
At 7GBP entrance, the festival looks quite expensive to me. I would expect at this price to have a t least a couple of half pints included, but the official website does not mention this.
Jun 13th, 2005, 02:40 PM
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Unlike Willit, I dislike beer festivals and really dislike this one.
Beer just doesn't lend itself to the sip and spitoon prissiness you get at wine tastings, so you find yourself drinking more, in less convivial surroundings, than you want to. And the really big festivals like this always seem to be in places God intended to be aircraft hangars. Whether they chuck a couple of free beers into your admission ticket or not,(and I'm as confused as Willit about that in this case) the last time I was at this do, it really wasn't pleasant. About as entertaining as a trade show at Chicago's McCormick Place (the GBBF actually takes place at the London equivalent). And there's a kind of victim mentality underpinning the whole thing. Real beer, says the subtext of this event, is an endangered species which we ought to defend. The head honcho of CAMRA, the GBBF organiser, is a man called Roger Protz, who used to be a famous Trotskyite. There's still a "let's sock it to capitalism" mentality about the GBBF.
Far, far better, IMHO, is to spend the money on the Good Pub Guide, select a good few proper hostelries and sample a decent selection of ales or stouts over a few days in the environment nature intended for beer. Where they're drinking the stuff because it tastes good and helps you have a good time - not because people like Michael Moore drink it.
Alternatively, if you've time, go to a small regional or district festival (there are loads, all over the country). In the relatively civilised surroundings of a village hall, you often get a good selection of a dozen or two beers, the opportunity to socialise (which is the point of beer, after all) - and almost always, three or four free halves included in your ticket price.
Incidentally, one of the great changes in Britain over the past decade is the beer section of most supermarkets. Everyone knows British supermarkets offer the most impressive wine selections in the world. But there's recently been an amazing revolution in the beer section too. Always a few proper Czech beers (as well as a couple of their German poor relations), and a good sample of interesting Belgian ones. A wide range of local, mostly English, real ales in bottles (and don't sneer at Prince Charles' Duchy Original, which we've watched being brewed down the road from us). At Tesco and Sainsbury, even a couple of intelligently-brewed English lagers. And they don't charge you admission.
All of which being said, let's not forget that there's only one word for most of the lagers sold in Britain. And it's not suitable for a family website like this.
Beer just doesn't lend itself to the sip and spitoon prissiness you get at wine tastings, so you find yourself drinking more, in less convivial surroundings, than you want to. And the really big festivals like this always seem to be in places God intended to be aircraft hangars. Whether they chuck a couple of free beers into your admission ticket or not,(and I'm as confused as Willit about that in this case) the last time I was at this do, it really wasn't pleasant. About as entertaining as a trade show at Chicago's McCormick Place (the GBBF actually takes place at the London equivalent). And there's a kind of victim mentality underpinning the whole thing. Real beer, says the subtext of this event, is an endangered species which we ought to defend. The head honcho of CAMRA, the GBBF organiser, is a man called Roger Protz, who used to be a famous Trotskyite. There's still a "let's sock it to capitalism" mentality about the GBBF.
Far, far better, IMHO, is to spend the money on the Good Pub Guide, select a good few proper hostelries and sample a decent selection of ales or stouts over a few days in the environment nature intended for beer. Where they're drinking the stuff because it tastes good and helps you have a good time - not because people like Michael Moore drink it.
Alternatively, if you've time, go to a small regional or district festival (there are loads, all over the country). In the relatively civilised surroundings of a village hall, you often get a good selection of a dozen or two beers, the opportunity to socialise (which is the point of beer, after all) - and almost always, three or four free halves included in your ticket price.
Incidentally, one of the great changes in Britain over the past decade is the beer section of most supermarkets. Everyone knows British supermarkets offer the most impressive wine selections in the world. But there's recently been an amazing revolution in the beer section too. Always a few proper Czech beers (as well as a couple of their German poor relations), and a good sample of interesting Belgian ones. A wide range of local, mostly English, real ales in bottles (and don't sneer at Prince Charles' Duchy Original, which we've watched being brewed down the road from us). At Tesco and Sainsbury, even a couple of intelligently-brewed English lagers. And they don't charge you admission.
All of which being said, let's not forget that there's only one word for most of the lagers sold in Britain. And it's not suitable for a family website like this.
Jun 13th, 2005, 04:27 PM
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We've been to the GBBF many times and find it amazing. We like real ale and while I think there are some good pubs in London they are few and far between. Most of the pubs are tied to either Fullers or Youngs and if you want some variety it becomes a real search. Much of the ale in London is poorly kept, and cold lager is not what we want to drink in the UK.
The venue is a large hall, and the nice thing is it gets lots of natural light. It is actually a pleasant walk from Earl's Court and we've walked many times rather than wait for the "special" train. The entrance fee does not get you any pints. You must purchase these separately. Most pints average 1.90 - 2.10 pounds. Halves are between .80 and 1.10. You must pay a deposit for your glass upon entering, and you can choose either a pint or half. You get the full deposit back upon leaving, or you can "purchase" the commemorative glass for the deposit price. The deposit is about 3 pounds.
The festival is organized by geographical area so you can visit a particular "bar" and sample ales from that region. There are a couple of specialty bars as well. Your entrance fee does get you a detailed program and it is worth a look to plan your time. While there are not too many lagers, there are always lots of ciders and pearys, and it can be a nice way to experience these.
Some tips for visiting the festival we've found include: visit early in the week rather than later. By Friday at lunch the truely unique award winners are gone, by the Fri. evening session more are gone, and Saturday lunch is hardly worth attending. Take a few minutes over your first pint and map a plan of attack. The festival has literally hundreds of choices and wandering aimlessly can be interesting, but having a plan, and knowing what brewery, or beer to sample can be a real treat. Most of the workers are volunteers, and while they can provide some feedback, you are not talking to the brewers so that aspect really isn't the reason to attend (as it can be at smaller festivals).
Finally for anyone out there with kids, the festival sponsors a brilliant family room. You must supervise your child, but they provide toys, musicians, magicians, videos, crafts -- it is absolutely amazing. Families are completely separate with their own bathroom, and only family members can enter. It is well supervised and quite nice....REALLY.
Oh, and Flanneruk, the availability of beer at UK markets is certainly improving, but for lovers of real ale it is not the same as visiting a pub with fresh, well kept ale.
I'm happy to answer any more questions about the festival -- we're big CAMRA supporters.
The venue is a large hall, and the nice thing is it gets lots of natural light. It is actually a pleasant walk from Earl's Court and we've walked many times rather than wait for the "special" train. The entrance fee does not get you any pints. You must purchase these separately. Most pints average 1.90 - 2.10 pounds. Halves are between .80 and 1.10. You must pay a deposit for your glass upon entering, and you can choose either a pint or half. You get the full deposit back upon leaving, or you can "purchase" the commemorative glass for the deposit price. The deposit is about 3 pounds.
The festival is organized by geographical area so you can visit a particular "bar" and sample ales from that region. There are a couple of specialty bars as well. Your entrance fee does get you a detailed program and it is worth a look to plan your time. While there are not too many lagers, there are always lots of ciders and pearys, and it can be a nice way to experience these.
Some tips for visiting the festival we've found include: visit early in the week rather than later. By Friday at lunch the truely unique award winners are gone, by the Fri. evening session more are gone, and Saturday lunch is hardly worth attending. Take a few minutes over your first pint and map a plan of attack. The festival has literally hundreds of choices and wandering aimlessly can be interesting, but having a plan, and knowing what brewery, or beer to sample can be a real treat. Most of the workers are volunteers, and while they can provide some feedback, you are not talking to the brewers so that aspect really isn't the reason to attend (as it can be at smaller festivals).
Finally for anyone out there with kids, the festival sponsors a brilliant family room. You must supervise your child, but they provide toys, musicians, magicians, videos, crafts -- it is absolutely amazing. Families are completely separate with their own bathroom, and only family members can enter. It is well supervised and quite nice....REALLY.
Oh, and Flanneruk, the availability of beer at UK markets is certainly improving, but for lovers of real ale it is not the same as visiting a pub with fresh, well kept ale.
I'm happy to answer any more questions about the festival -- we're big CAMRA supporters.
Jun 14th, 2005, 04:23 AM
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I'm not a huge fan of the GBBF, agreeing with Flanneur that it is in a huge impersonal room, with horrible accoustics, so it gets deafening. The music doesn't help (although I would pay good money to watch a Canadian watching Chas 'n Dave!).
I also agree that beer is meant to be drunk in pubs, and pubs that care about it too. This is where CAMRA really do come into their own with the Good Beer Guide - which is a pretty reliable guide to where you're likely to get a decent pint. The Good Pub Guide is also good.
In any case; most people go to beer festivals to try things they don't get locally - which is every beer in a london pub in your case.
It's been a while since I posted on this site - but unless there's been a lot of changes - there were always quite a few of us that were rather fond of our beer and can recommend some decent pubs in most parts of london.
Ask away!
I also agree that beer is meant to be drunk in pubs, and pubs that care about it too. This is where CAMRA really do come into their own with the Good Beer Guide - which is a pretty reliable guide to where you're likely to get a decent pint. The Good Pub Guide is also good.
In any case; most people go to beer festivals to try things they don't get locally - which is every beer in a london pub in your case.
It's been a while since I posted on this site - but unless there's been a lot of changes - there were always quite a few of us that were rather fond of our beer and can recommend some decent pubs in most parts of london.
Ask away!
Jun 14th, 2005, 05:27 AM
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Wow, now I'm really sitting on the fence on whether or not to attend! Both arguments are excellent and well backed.
"sample a decent selection of ales or stouts over a few days in the environment nature intended for beer".
I definitely agree with this statement as all four of us travelling are avid pub goers and spend many a weekend in Canadian versions of "British/ Irish pubs".
"While there are not too many lagers, there are always lots of ciders and pearys, and it can be a nice way to experience these".
Another good point and probably the main reason we would attend.
The consensus seems to be that we can experience a large majority of the beers available at the GBBF by partaking in a well thought out pub crawl. That said, if anyone would like to jump in and give any suggestions on their "ideal crawl" we would love to hear them! We have spent a considerable amount of time at fancyapint.com, an excellent website, but first hand experience is always the best.
We are staying in Greenwich but will of course be commuting into London to do our exploring.
"sample a decent selection of ales or stouts over a few days in the environment nature intended for beer".
I definitely agree with this statement as all four of us travelling are avid pub goers and spend many a weekend in Canadian versions of "British/ Irish pubs".
"While there are not too many lagers, there are always lots of ciders and pearys, and it can be a nice way to experience these".
Another good point and probably the main reason we would attend.
The consensus seems to be that we can experience a large majority of the beers available at the GBBF by partaking in a well thought out pub crawl. That said, if anyone would like to jump in and give any suggestions on their "ideal crawl" we would love to hear them! We have spent a considerable amount of time at fancyapint.com, an excellent website, but first hand experience is always the best.
We are staying in Greenwich but will of course be commuting into London to do our exploring.
Jun 14th, 2005, 06:48 AM
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If you're staying in Greenwich, you don't need to go into London for a drink. Greenwich has a good range of pubs with beers from several breweries. A good web site is www.beerintheevening.com.
The beer festivals are good for sampling unusual beers, like porter for example, but I always drink pints, and after two or three, subtle taste differences don't matter. I wouldn't go to a beer festival just to drink beer by myself - I would only go with friends.
The beer festivals are good for sampling unusual beers, like porter for example, but I always drink pints, and after two or three, subtle taste differences don't matter. I wouldn't go to a beer festival just to drink beer by myself - I would only go with friends.
Jun 14th, 2005, 07:03 AM
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I think you would have a much more memorable time (at least until you 4th or 10th pint) pub hopping. Pubs are one of the neatest thing about London/UK, whether due to history, decor or real ale. Taking the beer out of the pub seems counterproductive. If I lived I London and was a little bored with the pub scene I might think differently.
