GBBF preview: It's show time
The annual Great British Beer Festival, the biggest showcase for cask ale, takes place in London from August 3 to 7. Phil Mellows previews this year's event.
The Great British Beer Festival is almost upon us once more. It will undoubtedly attract the usual controversies. Is it the right kind of vehicle to promote cask ale? Are the efforts to attract women and young drinkers mere window-dressing? Exactly how are the finalists for the Champion Beer of Britain chosen? How about some carpets?
It will also attract thousands of people. Cask ale is enjoying one of its better times, especially among the small brewers which dominate this festival. Progressive beer duty has begun to take positive effect, freeing up cash for investment and expansion at the micros.
Some regional brewers are also returning impressive sales figures against the overall market trend and have begun to establish major national brands.
Now could be a good time to sample what's on offer and maybe have the chance to chat to brewers and brand owners, if you can make it to the trade session on the Tuesday afternoon.
About 450 different cask ales will be on offer, plus foreign beers, bottled ales, ciders and perries.
Whatever you think of its image, the GBBF is by far the biggest showcase for cask ale. It will attract national publicity and introduce many newcomers to the variety of brews that British brewing can produce.
Some of the national and regional brewers will be trying to stand out above the melée with their own bars. But this is really the time for the minnows of the industry show what they can do.
Last year's experiment to split up the exhibition into regions is continued, so you can home in on your local brews and give them a try.
GBBF Info
The Great British Beer Festival takes place at Olympia, London.
Opening times and prices
Tuesday August 3: 5pm - 10.30pm, £6Wednesday August 4: 12noon - 10.30pm, £6Thursday August 5: 12 noon - 10.30pm, £6Friday August 6: 12 noon - 10.30pm, £6Saturday August 7: 11am - 7pm, £5
- Prices for CAMRA members are reduced by £1
- A further £1 discount is available for all advance bookings (excluding season tickets)
- Season tickets cost £17.50 and allow entry to all sessions
- Ticket hotline for advance bookings: 01727 867201
- Tickets are available on the door
Festival news
- The trade session, held on the Tuesday afternoon before the doors are opened to all and sundry, not only gives publicans and brewers alike a chance to be the first to hear the winners of the Champion Beers of Britain contest but it is a unique opportunity for both sides of the trade to meet - and drink beer, of course.
Sponsored by wholesale East West Ales, one of the major suppliers of beer to the festival, the trade session kicks off at 12 noon, and goes on until 5pm, with the CBOB results at around 3.30pm. If you are a licensee or work in any aspect of the trade you can obtain your free trade session ticket from CAMRA by phoning 01727 867201 or emailing camra@camra.org.uk.
Beer comes in a huge variety of styles and flavours and that's something that drinkers are increasingly coming to appreciate. This year the festival offers you the chance to organise your own private beer tasting for up to 30 people, led by a beer expert. Contact CAMRA to find out exactly what's available. A limited amount of other tasting tickets are also available for smaller parties. Call Georgina Howarth on 01727 867201 for more information.
Scheduled tastings:
- Tuesday 6.30pm Champion Beer of Britain hosted by Roger Protz
- Wednesday 12.30pm Light and Dark
- Wednesday 6.30pm Champion Beer of Britain hosted by Roger Protz
- Thursday 12.30pm German Beer
- Thursday 3.30pm British Bottle-conditioned beers hosted by Michael Jackson
- Thursday 7.30pm Chocolate & Beer
- Friday 12.30pm Oud Bruin
- Friday 3.30pm Belgian Strong Beers
- Friday 7.30pm Fuller's Vintage Ales Tasting
* Tickets cost £11 (£9 CAMRA members)
The Great British Beer Festival actively welcomes families. The Family Room upstairs, open until 9pm every day, gives a great view of the festival as well as promising a secure environment for children with a full range of facilities, including dedicated toilets. All under-18s must be supervised by an adult family member at all times.
As ever, your ale sampling at the festival is accompanied by live music - and this year the bill is topped on Wednesday night by the legendary cockney songsters Chas 'n' Dave! Wild Willy Barrett follows up on Thursday heading his band Sleeping Dogz, but if that's too rock 'n' roll for you there's the Chaminade String Quartet, Jazzy Trousers, the Fulham Brass Band and more. How's that for variety?
More on this year's Great British Beer Fetival:
Being Champion Beer of Britain is an honour but the winner should be ready to deal with the resulting demand. Click here.
Click herefor the latest list of brewers showing beers at the Great British Beer Festival.
