Great British Beer Festival - Part 1

Every now and again we will post something relevant from out of town. This is the first in a two series post on an Australian's visit to the Great British Beer Festival held in London this August

I buy my pint glass and start with a piping home made pastie and take a stroll. This is like the Melbourne food and wine show, except that it is fun.

It's kind of like the slow food festival with beer and without the wankers.

At this stage, this is about as far removed from a giant piss up that I can imagine, though that may change over the course of the afternoon.

The quotes in italics are my tasting notes from the day edited slightly for readability.

I am far from the only person making tasting notes here today.

I start with a Patois ale from Guernsey, my notes read "deep gold well balanced reasonably light."

Next Okells Red Celtic Ale "complex, slight fruit undertones yet pleasingly crisp"

High House Farm Auld Hemp Ale "yeasty initial presentation nice clean finish feels like you are drinking the farm - in a good way."

Hepworth Prospect Organic Ale - Sussex "now that's what i am talking about. A defining ale. Consistent hop and cut grass feel in every sip. A keeper."

Oops back to Sussex. Tried the Dark Star hophead. "A finely crafted ale. Hits all the right notes. If the Hepworth prospect is a raging night club,this is an elegant garden party. Both have their place."

To that part of the UK closest to France, Jersey. The liberation ale. "If this was a part of France they would make great cool climate wines. Instead we have this. A very pleasant initial taste, with an aftertaste reminiscent of windswept coastal woods. Jersey in a pint glass."

Mid east England after a steak and ale pie break, time for a Vale VPA "on the bitter end of the ale spectrum but goes down easily and difficult to stop at one."

Lees Coronation st. Ale "starting to lose my sense of taste and my motor skills are also starting to suffer".