My excitement is building substantially for this years CAMRA GBBF, otherwise known as the Great British Beer Festival. Held at Earls Court, London from the 2nd to 6th of August its become a regular feature on the calender for myself and my hardy drinking companions. Starting, predictably some might say, at the glorious Waggon and Horses, Halesowen for a breakfast bacon roll and an accompanying breakfast pint (a morning “brew” to set us up for the day) our coach takes us from the pub to the festival and back again, the usefulness of such a door to door arrangement should be plain to understand for anyone that plans to “indulge” at such an event.
The premier UK beer festival has a delightful array of beers and ciders from all over the country, as you would expect, but I take special interest however, in the “Bières Sans Frontières”. You see the same problems faced by new British breweries also apply to new foreign craft enterprises trying to squeeze into a market already subjugated by the ersatz producers. Luckily at the GBBF you can explore some really exciting brews you wouldn't usually get the opportunity to try without your passport handy.
Straying from beer for one moment I feel the need to mention the food that is available at the GBBF; a world apart from the usual rubbish you'd expect at a similar event. On offer here it's more like a farmers market and definitely worth soaking up the tasty ales with. Good food and good beer, what more do you need?
Check out the official website http://gbbf.camra.org.uk/home for more information and you can also book your tickets online too. Lastly, I'll be there Thursday so for those going earlier, don't drink all the good stuff before I get there...
