National Winter Ales Festival - anyone going?

[trainman]

Life is tough ROB! Tbh, though, I usually eschew 'fests concentrating on Winter ales - I just know they're gonna mess me up! I see your calculation is that you'll be en route in 2.5hours and, let's face it, you ain't leaving at 17:00 so the Thurs head may be a tad delicate. Have a great session though, I'm pleased Manchester retains this major Camra fest - did I hear it's moved venue this year?

One I am looking at is the rather smaller affair at Nottingham's Canalhouse (04-07Feb) featuring 56 SIBA winning beers. And, when looking at the Castle Rock website (it's their pub) I was surprised to see that 'spoons vouchers are being accepted throughout the Castle Rock estate!

[ROBCamra]

Life is tough ROB! Tbh, though, I usually eschew 'fests concentrating on Winter ales - I just know they're gonna mess me up! I see your calculation is that you'll be en route in 2.5hours and, let's face it, you ain't leaving at 17:00 so the Thurs head may be a tad delicate. Have a great session though, I'm pleased Manchester retains this major Camra fest - did I hear it's moved venue this year?

One I am looking at is the rather smaller affair at Nottingham's Canalhouse (04-07Feb) featuring 56 SIBA winning beers. And, when looking at the Castle Rock website (it's their pub) I was surprised to see that 'spoons vouchers are being accepted throughout the Castle Rock estate!

The Canalhouse festival was great last year. It's in a separate room above the pub with all beers on handpump.

Sadly this year it clashes with Derby Beer Fest. Whose dumb idea was that, two festivals either end of the A52 on the same days?

[trainman]

Sadly this year it clashes with Derby Beer Fest. Whose dumb idea was that, two festivals either end of the A52 on the same days?

Agreed - it shouldn't take much foresight to check what might be competing factors locally. But who set their date first...?

[ROBCamra]

Agreed - it shouldn't take much foresight to check what might be competing factors locally. But who set their date first...?

Last year the Derby Fest was the 1st Saturday in January as it was the 12th night festival, but the dates didn't work this year.

The Canal House festival was a week later last year.

Who knows who bid first though.

[Eddie86]

I'll be there, sadly not judging this one (I judged the USA at GBBF last year). If it's the same method:

Piece of paper with numbers 1 - 6 on, large enough for a glass to sit on each. 6 ales are then brought over (1 at a time), and as a group (around 6 of us) you agree on your top 3, in order.

I'll be on the train from Abergavenny and back again, I imagine with a few of the local CAMRA branch.

[aleandhearty]

(I judged the USA at GBBF last year). If it's the same method:

Piece of paper with numbers 1 - 6 on, large enough for a glass to sit on each. 6 ales are then brought over (1 at a time), and as a group (around 6 of us) you agree on your top 3, in order.

That sounds fair enough, but I wonder how it is decided where the judging groups come from? There are so many variables that need need to be accounted for and as yet I don't think CAMRA/ GBBF have the same level of transparency, regarding judging, as some of the big wine competitions e.g. 'Decanter' World Wine Awards.

[Eddie86]

I'm not sure how they select people to do the first tastings. I just happened to be walking past when they were counting heads and realised they were one short.

As I'm going up early, I thought I might, instead of drinking lots of free beer by chatting nicely to brewers I know, go around manchester a bit and visit some pubs. Any must-visits I should know about?

I will, of course, be back at the festival for when it officially opens!

[aleandhearty]

I know I've touched on this before, but northern beers are woefully under represented in the annual national awards, statistically it just doesn't add up. It'll be interesting to see how things shape up in Manchester

Just seen on the 'aswiftone' blog that two Yorkshire beers are in the top three:

Gold: Elland 1872 Porter.
Silver: Breconshire Rambler's Ruin.
Bronze: Acorn Gorlovka Stout.

Time to put that soapbox away for a while.

[ROBCamra]

Just seen on the 'aswiftone' blog that two Yorkshire beers are in the top three:

Gold: Elland 1872 Porter.
Silver: Breconshire Rambler's Ruin.
Bronze: Acorn Gorlovka Stout.

Time to put that soapbox away for a while.

I said to Simon before we arrived at the festival that if Elland 1872 Porter didn't at least win it's group and finish in the top three overall I would be somewhat annoyed.

Wapping Stout and Smoked Porter both won medals in their groups as well!

[trainman]

Time to put that soapbox away for a while.

Yeah, we'll believe that when we see it.
Or should that be when we don't see it?