Blog Tracker
16-08-2023, 11:56
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/beware-of-beer-geeks-bearing-gifts.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4toUrfVlMiiXVWmil68j0mNccxWSFXL5yjMxifbdDja J_lh8wtWnVM26iVxNLwO-syURv4w7JwTX7Dau6frzKSBGHhZ1k9rz60fNbJco8ZiTF2LYCF Dj-SqOLfezxZBYbEuzWsI7KO5-rP9PDvgz0UxIObfheT0XSEcFORG6TVdNxAZn4gWzf0T5zpOg/w400-h260/Partizan.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4toUrfVlMiiXVWmil68j0mNccxWSFXL5yjMxifbdDja J_lh8wtWnVM26iVxNLwO-syURv4w7JwTX7Dau6frzKSBGHhZ1k9rz60fNbJco8ZiTF2LYCF Dj-SqOLfezxZBYbEuzWsI7KO5-rP9PDvgz0UxIObfheT0XSEcFORG6TVdNxAZn4gWzf0T5zpOg/s3407/Partizan.jpg)
Last Friday, I visited the London Craft Beer Festival, (https://londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk/) heldat Tobacco Dock, Wapping, on the edge of London’s’ East End. I don’t know howmany years the festival has been running, but this was my first visit, and I onlywent along on a whim after seeing a spare ticket advertised on one of the localCAMRA WhatsApp groups. I was at work, and in the middle of something,so by the time I’d considered whether or not I wanted to go, someone else had snapped up the ticket.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTbsBU03SnujfOjS0pRIfuLpA32VlXWC10me9Cvbr9E u9fdZQANY-KfWtABEwQjU_dtkvcD2BdPD-DOpUoLNerRgrb8ene67h1PWPf9Ce8ohTbrBDFAKRHyJgqnyQK0 rZu-YEQGd65zRt15Xm_Ot5Ocw4UbTFVWQIItG6gBHBzzRnjSY4o1w-WGUiX_M/w400-h225/Tobacco%20Dock%20canal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTbsBU03SnujfOjS0pRIfuLpA32VlXWC10me9Cvbr9E u9fdZQANY-KfWtABEwQjU_dtkvcD2BdPD-DOpUoLNerRgrb8ene67h1PWPf9Ce8ohTbrBDFAKRHyJgqnyQK0 rZu-YEQGd65zRt15Xm_Ot5Ocw4UbTFVWQIItG6gBHBzzRnjSY4o1w-WGUiX_M/s4000/Tobacco%20Dock%20canal.jpg)
Undeterred, I rather cheekily applied for a ticket in my ownname, citing my Beer & Travel Blog as professional interest. To my surpriseI qualified for a Press Pass for Friday’s opening session, and what's more, aswell as admission to the event, the pass entitled me to free beer. If I’d hadto pay for the ticket, it would have cost me £58, so what not to like!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMpBWAJx2wP1qBWK5KXDB94d6mCrr8iJNxB5_QayAt Op15zO1cMErs1y71Ko0t-6eOekBaoYynVq2JNjhlro_G6x-8iKd_7fn3Q57b_b8IPVPPczLQEgqcG9QjGkbR7qipI2iYO7LVO qZW1fDDEGpptC-3RDey5LRXc34KTanKLnYg6GuHIzdZONiyg/w400-h225/LCBF%20Top%20View.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMpBWAJx2wP1qBWK5KXDB94d6mCrr8iJNxB5_QayAt Op15zO1cMErs1y71Ko0t-6eOekBaoYynVq2JNjhlro_G6x-8iKd_7fn3Q57b_b8IPVPPczLQEgqcG9QjGkbR7qipI2iYO7LVO qZW1fDDEGpptC-3RDey5LRXc34KTanKLnYg6GuHIzdZONiyg/s3843/LCBF%20Top%20View.jpg)
Friday is one of my non-working days, and with Mrs PBT's engagedon exciting stuff such as VAT and income tax returns, CIS payments etc, I wasfree to hit the big city. I was not in a hurry, and with a bit of business toconclude down in Tonbridge, I called in at my local building society, beforewalking along to the station. Instead of my usual travel card I just bought anoff-peak return to London, the idea being to use my Senior Citizens Bus Passfor return travel to and from Tobacco Dock, and see an area of London from streetlevel, rather than being stuck underground in a metal tube.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewC_tkdsW18Pbb10Td7RkHPyY_FLI2a3iYGKKr5QJ3I vMgSKzdRP2BQ_7O31JLd51pR5nBTcv6ItjuKNOshki5GCdrzO3 wd5L5WELbe1g0HPPOu9ACN6DHud5kgPzUt9H25M6uOBFULm2df Jmmt_TWYKeQpyR9xF4PQb-9f0xA_qSImzE6gR2KdQEpsE/w400-h225/Brew%20York.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewC_tkdsW18Pbb10Td7RkHPyY_FLI2a3iYGKKr5QJ3I vMgSKzdRP2BQ_7O31JLd51pR5nBTcv6ItjuKNOshki5GCdrzO3 wd5L5WELbe1g0HPPOu9ACN6DHud5kgPzUt9H25M6uOBFULm2df Jmmt_TWYKeQpyR9xF4PQb-9f0xA_qSImzE6gR2KdQEpsE/s4000/Brew%20York.jpg)
I said I wasn't in a hurry, but I still found it annoying whenmy train was held outside London Bridge for about 10 minutes, due to congestion.Eventually we reached the station, where I embarked and made my way outside to oneof the bus stops in Tooley Street. I'd carried out a spot of online research duringthe journey up, to establish which buses would get me to Tobacco Dock, and althoughI could probably have walked it in 20-25 minutes, it was enjoyable just to siton the bus watching the various stops flash up on the indicator, whilst theworld sailed by outside.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp2XOtmjUWHAlJtkJYNeAaLVC9BdEHu0M_h7km0Or-Qr3NKOtltTF6ANvJx0cyQM_UhcrCPb2TFdIbCjZEaGxznovh0Q cf_2_YWn_w0yeyahZuKMn6klhHGBVwB3Pds3Cww_BxGwYtC9oW 8Hs0pBdaezfYm707ct4s5pGC4AF8rvycSXNYlVVF0MLzg/w400-h239/Tim%20Taylor%20stand.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp2XOtmjUWHAlJtkJYNeAaLVC9BdEHu0M_h7km0Or-Qr3NKOtltTF6ANvJx0cyQM_UhcrCPb2TFdIbCjZEaGxznovh0Q cf_2_YWn_w0yeyahZuKMn6klhHGBVwB3Pds3Cww_BxGwYtC9oW 8Hs0pBdaezfYm707ct4s5pGC4AF8rvycSXNYlVVF0MLzg/s3682/Tim%20Taylor%20stand.jpg)
I changed buses at Aldgate Bus Station catching the No.100 bus in the direction of Shadwell. The app I was using directed me to getoff at the third stop, which I did, and it took me through a very pleasant,mixed development primarily of new housing that was not at all like the Wappingof old. Switching to Google Maps, I reached a small canal that I hadn't beenaware of before, and after following this waterway for a short distance, Iarrived at Tobacco Dock.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7jMONb6ZoAH6zdxG8zG_qLv5EhtCvjyuWDwKkjytLf Y6KqjjBjnSgWqBsdnkpAAjsJG8lRo5zNt1i_K2VUdI2zgauEKc 204ycaEBK0e7mXAG0h5q20EP4jSGKsuT2eIYvbKYzAdnNL_l3C 2Zc0FUiSX7_VFs-OqKIHZJsEpMG2fhmAD4sqArBqTiCXY/w400-h225/LCBF%20Ships.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7jMONb6ZoAH6zdxG8zG_qLv5EhtCvjyuWDwKkjytLf Y6KqjjBjnSgWqBsdnkpAAjsJG8lRo5zNt1i_K2VUdI2zgauEKc 204ycaEBK0e7mXAG0h5q20EP4jSGKsuT2eIYvbKYzAdnNL_l3C 2Zc0FUiSX7_VFs-OqKIHZJsEpMG2fhmAD4sqArBqTiCXY/s4000/LCBF%20Ships.jpg)
Looking at the map, Tobacco Dock is just a short distancefrom the much better-known St Katherine’s Dock, and within easy walkingdistance of the Tower of London. Built in 1812 as a hub for tobacco and otherluxury commodities from the New World, the 19th Century Grade 1listed buildings were sensitively restored in 2012. Today the complex is one ofthe most versatile events spaces in the capital, although the people that runthe building really need to expand the totally inadequate toilet facilities, especiallywhen contemplating a beer festival!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2G47YfuQAarAi737tu6qoU4AekGErbsdL_Nh-0p-o_lmb9K3fohCmYPmdzx3WPsSwtes1uwCjUOJbUdwKvwIVH8FTA j8dq8JH0hLX8Che8it5Xl_bU-WGoD6qY17iYXCGybVvGmhTVucCXzlJ2MwP7EDNTrUR9hrBp1gB hMM41iYnQKI1gQH0GMTITg/w400-h225/IMG_20230811_143402.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2G47YfuQAarAi737tu6qoU4AekGErbsdL_Nh-0p-o_lmb9K3fohCmYPmdzx3WPsSwtes1uwCjUOJbUdwKvwIVH8FTA j8dq8JH0hLX8Che8it5Xl_bU-WGoD6qY17iYXCGybVvGmhTVucCXzlJ2MwP7EDNTrUR9hrBp1gB hMM41iYnQKI1gQH0GMTITg/s4000/IMG_20230811_143402.jpg)
I found the entrance, showed my pre-printed QR Entrance Passto the security people, and was admitted – complete with the obligatory wristband.I was handed a ½ pint, “balloon-style” glass, marked with lines indicating⅓pint or “sample”, along with a floor plan showing both ground and upper floorlevels, and off I sent. All beers were free but dispensed solely in “sample”size “pours”, as the Americans would say! If you wanted, you could keep goingback to the same stand, and the same beer, but the staff still wouldn’t serveyou more than a sample, each time.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--mBm4EIBbWAaKen_4qaaYuOmf0YnFkPSTvX5AmP1f-rS8iRXIehLeD2u3s_snS52lwLXzK0DxY2UxSoYuAZVKxe3O-LG5KwLXg6BXxF5iiJy-ioyvPRbIq9pFk6jgm1PcVOiSLHOLOAeMwpCchtEmlWr_wtD4HJ xZEtoPrQ69KmcikQlybT7ZPOJhY0/w400-h225/Aktien.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--mBm4EIBbWAaKen_4qaaYuOmf0YnFkPSTvX5AmP1f-rS8iRXIehLeD2u3s_snS52lwLXzK0DxY2UxSoYuAZVKxe3O-LG5KwLXg6BXxF5iiJy-ioyvPRbIq9pFk6jgm1PcVOiSLHOLOAeMwpCchtEmlWr_wtD4HJ xZEtoPrQ69KmcikQlybT7ZPOJhY0/s4000/Aktien.jpg)
I estimated the number of different breweries represented ataround 30, but this was way off the mark, as according to the LCBF website,there were over 100! Nearly all the beer was pressurised, either from“Key-Kegs” or from more traditional, industry containers, but there was some caskavailable, and what there was turned out to be very good. Leading the chargefor cask was Timothy Taylor’s, who had a good selection available at theirstand, including Knowle Spring, Dark Mild and Dark Landlord. This was the firsttime I’ve come across this beer on draught, as it is normally only available inbottles. Another fine cask ale was Bostin’ Dark Mild from Green Duck Brewery,who are a small outfit based at Stourbridge in the West Midlands.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoHw8xhacn4YhetJMbORjN8JXeDwlmAT0SeY7k17n4c BkNI6wsLUofjYj3FAFpnNeNZMf5n7jL53ssNWpJtBKObVRCjdU W9L8zLqQPJD8afwDii80_YGZ61TaDS3qaq_uIR-vQl6X-RtDBwXoHuaPSuhhOpm0HdAEyJ3UftKMmLZGanOKKrriOdkVqjY/w225-h400/IMG_20230811_140803.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoHw8xhacn4YhetJMbORjN8JXeDwlmAT0SeY7k17n4c BkNI6wsLUofjYj3FAFpnNeNZMf5n7jL53ssNWpJtBKObVRCjdU W9L8zLqQPJD8afwDii80_YGZ61TaDS3qaq_uIR-vQl6X-RtDBwXoHuaPSuhhOpm0HdAEyJ3UftKMmLZGanOKKrriOdkVqjY/s4000/IMG_20230811_140803.jpg)
A handful of European brewers were also represented,including O’Hara’s from Ireland. Budvar from Czechia, ABK from Bavaria and La Chouffefrom Belgium. The latter’s stall was easy to find, as brewery staff werehanding out red “gnome” hats, as worn by the company’s well-known, gnome mascot.I tucked mine away, inside my rucksack, as it’s not the type of headgear to beseen wearing on the train home. One other highlight was the stand run by Braybrooke Beer Co, (https://braybrookebeer.co/) and I mention this because I haverecently signed up to the brewery’s Lager Club, a monthly subscription servicewhereby subscribers receive 12 bottles of the brewery’s classic core beers(including their famous Keller Lager), along with specials and guest lagerseach month. Visiting their stand was an opportunity of previewing a couple ofBraybrooke beers, including the aforementioned Keller Lager and their excellentSmoked Bier.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYry9UlPvL_--Jv2Ei2tRMh0RsnwKAu3azL1PqXfg3HKcbrUupWH3QoI_f06Tsy ZNqZzuuZKPctTyi0MRgd7JJF9UkYq049ImocuNzoOrwLaJRh_o 1evS-rKFk3ntvHGv-iz9PXeH42FJg3-qzLqWsLwLbB7oACqYDfhQq5y1tfoDE-I_RuGPIuxAPo/w400-h225/LCBF%20Ships.%201.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYry9UlPvL_--Jv2Ei2tRMh0RsnwKAu3azL1PqXfg3HKcbrUupWH3QoI_f06Tsy ZNqZzuuZKPctTyi0MRgd7JJF9UkYq049ImocuNzoOrwLaJRh_o 1evS-rKFk3ntvHGv-iz9PXeH42FJg3-qzLqWsLwLbB7oACqYDfhQq5y1tfoDE-I_RuGPIuxAPo/s4000/LCBF%20Ships.%201.jpg)
The Braybrooke, the cask and the European beers were the oneswhich, for me, really stood out, with most of the rest being a sea of pale ales,IPA’s, Pilsners, DIPA’s and just about every other sort of blonde colouredbeers imaginable. I was probably one of the oldest visitors at the festival,not that it bothered me particularly. I met up briefly, with Nick a relativelynew member of West Kent CAMRA, and someone who I have been friends with, forsome time, on Untappd. He had left a group of friends to come and say hello, as we both thought itgood to put faces to each other's names.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk2jZcrIVRMIdLfAYsVG58IeE-3wb8CxgXP-tAvdvvgG0_92Nt5rd6n821-0GsJPBceEPUScZk4SCckdIi1xDip9t06Ht9O6KNZveFkWKQHc4 x17VJxmBTLm2aQveJ0JleJfGN-H2CyCWCz_mYrDBmWRQ7yU1HfEiV69_Jt9gmCd0-QDXw9xOlz4kY4/w400-h225/IMG_20230811_145056.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk2jZcrIVRMIdLfAYsVG58IeE-3wb8CxgXP-tAvdvvgG0_92Nt5rd6n821-0GsJPBceEPUScZk4SCckdIi1xDip9t06Ht9O6KNZveFkWKQHc4 x17VJxmBTLm2aQveJ0JleJfGN-H2CyCWCz_mYrDBmWRQ7yU1HfEiV69_Jt9gmCd0-QDXw9xOlz4kY4/s4000/IMG_20230811_145056.jpg)
I was starting to feel hungry after all that free beer, evenif it was only “sips,” so I ventured out onto the terrace, overlooking thecanal, where there were a number of food stands. The various offerings were onthe pricey side, but seeing as I hadn’t paid for any of the beer, I didn’t feeltoo bad forking out £11 for a hot dog. It was a “gourmet” hot dog, mind you,but judge for yourselves from the photo whether or not it was worth the doublefigure price.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2CEJNYCH7KvQOp7CxpBf7pX5gVTyMw8e0OvXtUcfFS bbOX7z2u8AJd2L19QYvBUFJkEunUbAjtDigwsSb4_Np8rsthJG 1-toL7I-cEawEMQZnj7xVBo2RUEbwm_x80jPDdeJEnXoLiCF5t1D2j7Fwz a2uTtnGxSUwAQQ2dDbzz3jU_fQl-VKKVmHwek/w225-h400/IMG_20230811_152048.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2CEJNYCH7KvQOp7CxpBf7pX5gVTyMw8e0OvXtUcfFS bbOX7z2u8AJd2L19QYvBUFJkEunUbAjtDigwsSb4_Np8rsthJG 1-toL7I-cEawEMQZnj7xVBo2RUEbwm_x80jPDdeJEnXoLiCF5t1D2j7Fwz a2uTtnGxSUwAQQ2dDbzz3jU_fQl-VKKVmHwek/s4000/IMG_20230811_152048.jpg)
It was an interesting day out, although if I hadn’t qualifiedfor the press pass, then I wouldn’t have gone to LCBF. With hindsight, perhapsI shouldn’t have attended, because mingling with all those people in a crowdedevent space, was probably where I contracted COVID for the third time! I didn’tfeel that brilliant on Monday but put it down to a rather nasty summer cold,but overnight my symptoms worsened, and I feared I might have contracted thedreaded lurgy. We had a couple of Lateral Flow Tests left over from the endof last year, so I took a test, and unfortunately, and as feared, it returned abig fat positive red line.Yes folks, COVID hasn’t gone away, and despite the initial two-shot,vaccination, two boosters and two occasions where I actually contracted the disease,I have discovered I am not immune to what, I imagine, must be this lateststrain of the virus. Mrs PBT’s is notvery happy about it, and I have also had the embarrassment of phoning in sickto work and apologising in advance for potentially spreading COVID about theworkplace.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO0iuXSZ3YjDT7TuxCQQSzJcyojuknbSVI7Tcu9vxfC lvk5y3J-q0VPkS0RE5QMYPXWzSzKEig-6sdQNulMsZaVxJLyRSwgUhPGkbI4YAvaBPJmsgRlIEZX44EuYB gYfCrKy6oUuag5hF_kKf5Ly6slzrsKl4NxgPrTxnwgkZZR3b8g r_zNBBhhAiPlY/w400-h229/Covid%20Test%20Result%2015-Aug-23.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO0iuXSZ3YjDT7TuxCQQSzJcyojuknbSVI7Tcu9vxfC lvk5y3J-q0VPkS0RE5QMYPXWzSzKEig-6sdQNulMsZaVxJLyRSwgUhPGkbI4YAvaBPJmsgRlIEZX44EuYB gYfCrKy6oUuag5hF_kKf5Ly6slzrsKl4NxgPrTxnwgkZZR3b8g r_zNBBhhAiPlY/s3931/Covid%20Test%20Result%2015-Aug-23.jpg)
On a more personal note, I am slightly concerned athaving caught COVID for the third time, because if the science is to bebelieved, each recurring infection increases one’s risk of complications or moreserious illness. Still, as a colleague of mine is fond of saying, “It is, what itis,” but with an eye towards self-preservation, I shall try and take a littlemore care in future, particularly in crowded situations.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/beware-of-beer-geeks-bearing-gifts.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4toUrfVlMiiXVWmil68j0mNccxWSFXL5yjMxifbdDja J_lh8wtWnVM26iVxNLwO-syURv4w7JwTX7Dau6frzKSBGHhZ1k9rz60fNbJco8ZiTF2LYCF Dj-SqOLfezxZBYbEuzWsI7KO5-rP9PDvgz0UxIObfheT0XSEcFORG6TVdNxAZn4gWzf0T5zpOg/w400-h260/Partizan.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4toUrfVlMiiXVWmil68j0mNccxWSFXL5yjMxifbdDja J_lh8wtWnVM26iVxNLwO-syURv4w7JwTX7Dau6frzKSBGHhZ1k9rz60fNbJco8ZiTF2LYCF Dj-SqOLfezxZBYbEuzWsI7KO5-rP9PDvgz0UxIObfheT0XSEcFORG6TVdNxAZn4gWzf0T5zpOg/s3407/Partizan.jpg)
Last Friday, I visited the London Craft Beer Festival, (https://londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk/) heldat Tobacco Dock, Wapping, on the edge of London’s’ East End. I don’t know howmany years the festival has been running, but this was my first visit, and I onlywent along on a whim after seeing a spare ticket advertised on one of the localCAMRA WhatsApp groups. I was at work, and in the middle of something,so by the time I’d considered whether or not I wanted to go, someone else had snapped up the ticket.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTbsBU03SnujfOjS0pRIfuLpA32VlXWC10me9Cvbr9E u9fdZQANY-KfWtABEwQjU_dtkvcD2BdPD-DOpUoLNerRgrb8ene67h1PWPf9Ce8ohTbrBDFAKRHyJgqnyQK0 rZu-YEQGd65zRt15Xm_Ot5Ocw4UbTFVWQIItG6gBHBzzRnjSY4o1w-WGUiX_M/w400-h225/Tobacco%20Dock%20canal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTbsBU03SnujfOjS0pRIfuLpA32VlXWC10me9Cvbr9E u9fdZQANY-KfWtABEwQjU_dtkvcD2BdPD-DOpUoLNerRgrb8ene67h1PWPf9Ce8ohTbrBDFAKRHyJgqnyQK0 rZu-YEQGd65zRt15Xm_Ot5Ocw4UbTFVWQIItG6gBHBzzRnjSY4o1w-WGUiX_M/s4000/Tobacco%20Dock%20canal.jpg)
Undeterred, I rather cheekily applied for a ticket in my ownname, citing my Beer & Travel Blog as professional interest. To my surpriseI qualified for a Press Pass for Friday’s opening session, and what's more, aswell as admission to the event, the pass entitled me to free beer. If I’d hadto pay for the ticket, it would have cost me £58, so what not to like!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMpBWAJx2wP1qBWK5KXDB94d6mCrr8iJNxB5_QayAt Op15zO1cMErs1y71Ko0t-6eOekBaoYynVq2JNjhlro_G6x-8iKd_7fn3Q57b_b8IPVPPczLQEgqcG9QjGkbR7qipI2iYO7LVO qZW1fDDEGpptC-3RDey5LRXc34KTanKLnYg6GuHIzdZONiyg/w400-h225/LCBF%20Top%20View.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBgMpBWAJx2wP1qBWK5KXDB94d6mCrr8iJNxB5_QayAt Op15zO1cMErs1y71Ko0t-6eOekBaoYynVq2JNjhlro_G6x-8iKd_7fn3Q57b_b8IPVPPczLQEgqcG9QjGkbR7qipI2iYO7LVO qZW1fDDEGpptC-3RDey5LRXc34KTanKLnYg6GuHIzdZONiyg/s3843/LCBF%20Top%20View.jpg)
Friday is one of my non-working days, and with Mrs PBT's engagedon exciting stuff such as VAT and income tax returns, CIS payments etc, I wasfree to hit the big city. I was not in a hurry, and with a bit of business toconclude down in Tonbridge, I called in at my local building society, beforewalking along to the station. Instead of my usual travel card I just bought anoff-peak return to London, the idea being to use my Senior Citizens Bus Passfor return travel to and from Tobacco Dock, and see an area of London from streetlevel, rather than being stuck underground in a metal tube.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewC_tkdsW18Pbb10Td7RkHPyY_FLI2a3iYGKKr5QJ3I vMgSKzdRP2BQ_7O31JLd51pR5nBTcv6ItjuKNOshki5GCdrzO3 wd5L5WELbe1g0HPPOu9ACN6DHud5kgPzUt9H25M6uOBFULm2df Jmmt_TWYKeQpyR9xF4PQb-9f0xA_qSImzE6gR2KdQEpsE/w400-h225/Brew%20York.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiewC_tkdsW18Pbb10Td7RkHPyY_FLI2a3iYGKKr5QJ3I vMgSKzdRP2BQ_7O31JLd51pR5nBTcv6ItjuKNOshki5GCdrzO3 wd5L5WELbe1g0HPPOu9ACN6DHud5kgPzUt9H25M6uOBFULm2df Jmmt_TWYKeQpyR9xF4PQb-9f0xA_qSImzE6gR2KdQEpsE/s4000/Brew%20York.jpg)
I said I wasn't in a hurry, but I still found it annoying whenmy train was held outside London Bridge for about 10 minutes, due to congestion.Eventually we reached the station, where I embarked and made my way outside to oneof the bus stops in Tooley Street. I'd carried out a spot of online research duringthe journey up, to establish which buses would get me to Tobacco Dock, and althoughI could probably have walked it in 20-25 minutes, it was enjoyable just to siton the bus watching the various stops flash up on the indicator, whilst theworld sailed by outside.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp2XOtmjUWHAlJtkJYNeAaLVC9BdEHu0M_h7km0Or-Qr3NKOtltTF6ANvJx0cyQM_UhcrCPb2TFdIbCjZEaGxznovh0Q cf_2_YWn_w0yeyahZuKMn6klhHGBVwB3Pds3Cww_BxGwYtC9oW 8Hs0pBdaezfYm707ct4s5pGC4AF8rvycSXNYlVVF0MLzg/w400-h239/Tim%20Taylor%20stand.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctp2XOtmjUWHAlJtkJYNeAaLVC9BdEHu0M_h7km0Or-Qr3NKOtltTF6ANvJx0cyQM_UhcrCPb2TFdIbCjZEaGxznovh0Q cf_2_YWn_w0yeyahZuKMn6klhHGBVwB3Pds3Cww_BxGwYtC9oW 8Hs0pBdaezfYm707ct4s5pGC4AF8rvycSXNYlVVF0MLzg/s3682/Tim%20Taylor%20stand.jpg)
I changed buses at Aldgate Bus Station catching the No.100 bus in the direction of Shadwell. The app I was using directed me to getoff at the third stop, which I did, and it took me through a very pleasant,mixed development primarily of new housing that was not at all like the Wappingof old. Switching to Google Maps, I reached a small canal that I hadn't beenaware of before, and after following this waterway for a short distance, Iarrived at Tobacco Dock.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7jMONb6ZoAH6zdxG8zG_qLv5EhtCvjyuWDwKkjytLf Y6KqjjBjnSgWqBsdnkpAAjsJG8lRo5zNt1i_K2VUdI2zgauEKc 204ycaEBK0e7mXAG0h5q20EP4jSGKsuT2eIYvbKYzAdnNL_l3C 2Zc0FUiSX7_VFs-OqKIHZJsEpMG2fhmAD4sqArBqTiCXY/w400-h225/LCBF%20Ships.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7jMONb6ZoAH6zdxG8zG_qLv5EhtCvjyuWDwKkjytLf Y6KqjjBjnSgWqBsdnkpAAjsJG8lRo5zNt1i_K2VUdI2zgauEKc 204ycaEBK0e7mXAG0h5q20EP4jSGKsuT2eIYvbKYzAdnNL_l3C 2Zc0FUiSX7_VFs-OqKIHZJsEpMG2fhmAD4sqArBqTiCXY/s4000/LCBF%20Ships.jpg)
Looking at the map, Tobacco Dock is just a short distancefrom the much better-known St Katherine’s Dock, and within easy walkingdistance of the Tower of London. Built in 1812 as a hub for tobacco and otherluxury commodities from the New World, the 19th Century Grade 1listed buildings were sensitively restored in 2012. Today the complex is one ofthe most versatile events spaces in the capital, although the people that runthe building really need to expand the totally inadequate toilet facilities, especiallywhen contemplating a beer festival!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2G47YfuQAarAi737tu6qoU4AekGErbsdL_Nh-0p-o_lmb9K3fohCmYPmdzx3WPsSwtes1uwCjUOJbUdwKvwIVH8FTA j8dq8JH0hLX8Che8it5Xl_bU-WGoD6qY17iYXCGybVvGmhTVucCXzlJ2MwP7EDNTrUR9hrBp1gB hMM41iYnQKI1gQH0GMTITg/w400-h225/IMG_20230811_143402.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2G47YfuQAarAi737tu6qoU4AekGErbsdL_Nh-0p-o_lmb9K3fohCmYPmdzx3WPsSwtes1uwCjUOJbUdwKvwIVH8FTA j8dq8JH0hLX8Che8it5Xl_bU-WGoD6qY17iYXCGybVvGmhTVucCXzlJ2MwP7EDNTrUR9hrBp1gB hMM41iYnQKI1gQH0GMTITg/s4000/IMG_20230811_143402.jpg)
I found the entrance, showed my pre-printed QR Entrance Passto the security people, and was admitted – complete with the obligatory wristband.I was handed a ½ pint, “balloon-style” glass, marked with lines indicating⅓pint or “sample”, along with a floor plan showing both ground and upper floorlevels, and off I sent. All beers were free but dispensed solely in “sample”size “pours”, as the Americans would say! If you wanted, you could keep goingback to the same stand, and the same beer, but the staff still wouldn’t serveyou more than a sample, each time.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--mBm4EIBbWAaKen_4qaaYuOmf0YnFkPSTvX5AmP1f-rS8iRXIehLeD2u3s_snS52lwLXzK0DxY2UxSoYuAZVKxe3O-LG5KwLXg6BXxF5iiJy-ioyvPRbIq9pFk6jgm1PcVOiSLHOLOAeMwpCchtEmlWr_wtD4HJ xZEtoPrQ69KmcikQlybT7ZPOJhY0/w400-h225/Aktien.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--mBm4EIBbWAaKen_4qaaYuOmf0YnFkPSTvX5AmP1f-rS8iRXIehLeD2u3s_snS52lwLXzK0DxY2UxSoYuAZVKxe3O-LG5KwLXg6BXxF5iiJy-ioyvPRbIq9pFk6jgm1PcVOiSLHOLOAeMwpCchtEmlWr_wtD4HJ xZEtoPrQ69KmcikQlybT7ZPOJhY0/s4000/Aktien.jpg)
I estimated the number of different breweries represented ataround 30, but this was way off the mark, as according to the LCBF website,there were over 100! Nearly all the beer was pressurised, either from“Key-Kegs” or from more traditional, industry containers, but there was some caskavailable, and what there was turned out to be very good. Leading the chargefor cask was Timothy Taylor’s, who had a good selection available at theirstand, including Knowle Spring, Dark Mild and Dark Landlord. This was the firsttime I’ve come across this beer on draught, as it is normally only available inbottles. Another fine cask ale was Bostin’ Dark Mild from Green Duck Brewery,who are a small outfit based at Stourbridge in the West Midlands.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoHw8xhacn4YhetJMbORjN8JXeDwlmAT0SeY7k17n4c BkNI6wsLUofjYj3FAFpnNeNZMf5n7jL53ssNWpJtBKObVRCjdU W9L8zLqQPJD8afwDii80_YGZ61TaDS3qaq_uIR-vQl6X-RtDBwXoHuaPSuhhOpm0HdAEyJ3UftKMmLZGanOKKrriOdkVqjY/w225-h400/IMG_20230811_140803.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoHw8xhacn4YhetJMbORjN8JXeDwlmAT0SeY7k17n4c BkNI6wsLUofjYj3FAFpnNeNZMf5n7jL53ssNWpJtBKObVRCjdU W9L8zLqQPJD8afwDii80_YGZ61TaDS3qaq_uIR-vQl6X-RtDBwXoHuaPSuhhOpm0HdAEyJ3UftKMmLZGanOKKrriOdkVqjY/s4000/IMG_20230811_140803.jpg)
A handful of European brewers were also represented,including O’Hara’s from Ireland. Budvar from Czechia, ABK from Bavaria and La Chouffefrom Belgium. The latter’s stall was easy to find, as brewery staff werehanding out red “gnome” hats, as worn by the company’s well-known, gnome mascot.I tucked mine away, inside my rucksack, as it’s not the type of headgear to beseen wearing on the train home. One other highlight was the stand run by Braybrooke Beer Co, (https://braybrookebeer.co/) and I mention this because I haverecently signed up to the brewery’s Lager Club, a monthly subscription servicewhereby subscribers receive 12 bottles of the brewery’s classic core beers(including their famous Keller Lager), along with specials and guest lagerseach month. Visiting their stand was an opportunity of previewing a couple ofBraybrooke beers, including the aforementioned Keller Lager and their excellentSmoked Bier.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYry9UlPvL_--Jv2Ei2tRMh0RsnwKAu3azL1PqXfg3HKcbrUupWH3QoI_f06Tsy ZNqZzuuZKPctTyi0MRgd7JJF9UkYq049ImocuNzoOrwLaJRh_o 1evS-rKFk3ntvHGv-iz9PXeH42FJg3-qzLqWsLwLbB7oACqYDfhQq5y1tfoDE-I_RuGPIuxAPo/w400-h225/LCBF%20Ships.%201.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbYry9UlPvL_--Jv2Ei2tRMh0RsnwKAu3azL1PqXfg3HKcbrUupWH3QoI_f06Tsy ZNqZzuuZKPctTyi0MRgd7JJF9UkYq049ImocuNzoOrwLaJRh_o 1evS-rKFk3ntvHGv-iz9PXeH42FJg3-qzLqWsLwLbB7oACqYDfhQq5y1tfoDE-I_RuGPIuxAPo/s4000/LCBF%20Ships.%201.jpg)
The Braybrooke, the cask and the European beers were the oneswhich, for me, really stood out, with most of the rest being a sea of pale ales,IPA’s, Pilsners, DIPA’s and just about every other sort of blonde colouredbeers imaginable. I was probably one of the oldest visitors at the festival,not that it bothered me particularly. I met up briefly, with Nick a relativelynew member of West Kent CAMRA, and someone who I have been friends with, forsome time, on Untappd. He had left a group of friends to come and say hello, as we both thought itgood to put faces to each other's names.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk2jZcrIVRMIdLfAYsVG58IeE-3wb8CxgXP-tAvdvvgG0_92Nt5rd6n821-0GsJPBceEPUScZk4SCckdIi1xDip9t06Ht9O6KNZveFkWKQHc4 x17VJxmBTLm2aQveJ0JleJfGN-H2CyCWCz_mYrDBmWRQ7yU1HfEiV69_Jt9gmCd0-QDXw9xOlz4kY4/w400-h225/IMG_20230811_145056.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyk2jZcrIVRMIdLfAYsVG58IeE-3wb8CxgXP-tAvdvvgG0_92Nt5rd6n821-0GsJPBceEPUScZk4SCckdIi1xDip9t06Ht9O6KNZveFkWKQHc4 x17VJxmBTLm2aQveJ0JleJfGN-H2CyCWCz_mYrDBmWRQ7yU1HfEiV69_Jt9gmCd0-QDXw9xOlz4kY4/s4000/IMG_20230811_145056.jpg)
I was starting to feel hungry after all that free beer, evenif it was only “sips,” so I ventured out onto the terrace, overlooking thecanal, where there were a number of food stands. The various offerings were onthe pricey side, but seeing as I hadn’t paid for any of the beer, I didn’t feeltoo bad forking out £11 for a hot dog. It was a “gourmet” hot dog, mind you,but judge for yourselves from the photo whether or not it was worth the doublefigure price.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2CEJNYCH7KvQOp7CxpBf7pX5gVTyMw8e0OvXtUcfFS bbOX7z2u8AJd2L19QYvBUFJkEunUbAjtDigwsSb4_Np8rsthJG 1-toL7I-cEawEMQZnj7xVBo2RUEbwm_x80jPDdeJEnXoLiCF5t1D2j7Fwz a2uTtnGxSUwAQQ2dDbzz3jU_fQl-VKKVmHwek/w225-h400/IMG_20230811_152048.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2CEJNYCH7KvQOp7CxpBf7pX5gVTyMw8e0OvXtUcfFS bbOX7z2u8AJd2L19QYvBUFJkEunUbAjtDigwsSb4_Np8rsthJG 1-toL7I-cEawEMQZnj7xVBo2RUEbwm_x80jPDdeJEnXoLiCF5t1D2j7Fwz a2uTtnGxSUwAQQ2dDbzz3jU_fQl-VKKVmHwek/s4000/IMG_20230811_152048.jpg)
It was an interesting day out, although if I hadn’t qualifiedfor the press pass, then I wouldn’t have gone to LCBF. With hindsight, perhapsI shouldn’t have attended, because mingling with all those people in a crowdedevent space, was probably where I contracted COVID for the third time! I didn’tfeel that brilliant on Monday but put it down to a rather nasty summer cold,but overnight my symptoms worsened, and I feared I might have contracted thedreaded lurgy. We had a couple of Lateral Flow Tests left over from the endof last year, so I took a test, and unfortunately, and as feared, it returned abig fat positive red line.Yes folks, COVID hasn’t gone away, and despite the initial two-shot,vaccination, two boosters and two occasions where I actually contracted the disease,I have discovered I am not immune to what, I imagine, must be this lateststrain of the virus. Mrs PBT’s is notvery happy about it, and I have also had the embarrassment of phoning in sickto work and apologising in advance for potentially spreading COVID about theworkplace.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO0iuXSZ3YjDT7TuxCQQSzJcyojuknbSVI7Tcu9vxfC lvk5y3J-q0VPkS0RE5QMYPXWzSzKEig-6sdQNulMsZaVxJLyRSwgUhPGkbI4YAvaBPJmsgRlIEZX44EuYB gYfCrKy6oUuag5hF_kKf5Ly6slzrsKl4NxgPrTxnwgkZZR3b8g r_zNBBhhAiPlY/w400-h229/Covid%20Test%20Result%2015-Aug-23.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIO0iuXSZ3YjDT7TuxCQQSzJcyojuknbSVI7Tcu9vxfC lvk5y3J-q0VPkS0RE5QMYPXWzSzKEig-6sdQNulMsZaVxJLyRSwgUhPGkbI4YAvaBPJmsgRlIEZX44EuYB gYfCrKy6oUuag5hF_kKf5Ly6slzrsKl4NxgPrTxnwgkZZR3b8g r_zNBBhhAiPlY/s3931/Covid%20Test%20Result%2015-Aug-23.jpg)
On a more personal note, I am slightly concerned athaving caught COVID for the third time, because if the science is to bebelieved, each recurring infection increases one’s risk of complications or moreserious illness. Still, as a colleague of mine is fond of saying, “It is, what itis,” but with an eye towards self-preservation, I shall try and take a littlemore care in future, particularly in crowded situations.
Follow Blog via EmailClick to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/08/beware-of-beer-geeks-bearing-gifts.html)