National Winter Ales Festival - anyone going?

[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!

[oldboots]

.... go around manchester a bit and visit some pubs. Any must-visits I should know about?

these are usually quoted as some of the don't miss list

Marble Arch - Rochdale Road (own brewery)
Crown & Kettle - Oldham Rd
Briton's Protection - Gt Bridgewater St (next to G-Mex)
Perverill of the Peak - Gt Bridgewater St (funny opening hours)

[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!

[ROBCamra]

A photo of the judging taking place at the National Winter ales festival is below.

The guy on the left in the glasses is Simon, the landlord at The Baum.

The guy holding up the glass facing the camera is Peter Alexander, deputy festival organiser a.k.a. Tandleman

To his right on the picture is The Reverend Bracegirdle the senior judge for the porters section.

I'll post again to explain how the judging worked, it's a bit complicated

[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?

[aleandhearty]

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

Bloody cheek! I tell you I can't help it. It's in a Yorkshireman's genes to be lugubrious and mithering.

[ROBCamra]

Bloody cheek! I tell you I can't help it. It's in a Yorkshireman's genes to be lugubrious and mithering.

I don't want to see anything that's in a Yorkshiremans jeans

[oldboots]

I don't want to see anything that's in a Yorkshiremans jeans

you wont see the cash out their jeans pockets if they can help it, that's for sure