Great British Beer Festival: 7-11 August

[amberaleman]

Apologies to those of you living at some distance from the capital (or who prefer to drink F***ers ) - but here's news of another beer festival in London. This one is supposed to be a national event.

The Great British Beer Festival will (for the second year) be held at Earls Court exhibition centre. There will be literally hundreds of different beers available, from all over the globe. Plus cider, food and live music (though, a la Stamford, it's easy to get away from the stage noise if it's not to your taste).

Doors open at 5 pm on the Tuesday, and noon Wednesday-Friday. (It's also open on Saturday but we might all have other priorities on that day. ) Admission is £6 (£5 if you're in CAMRA).

I plan to imbibe there on Thursday (9th). Playing live that day will be Gordon Giltrap (remember Heartsong?) and Dr Feelgood (of Milk and Alcohol fame ;D ).

Any others up for it?

(Oh, and publicising the event gives my CAMRA branch a good excuse for a pub crawl round Wimbledon this Saturday. )

[malxscfc]

Ah. "fULLers"! ;D

As you say, Saturday's a busy day for some. (We're going to Eastleigh that day! :

Will see how things pan out for that week.

(Some of the SCFC lot recommend the 'Robert Peel' if you're looking for alternative Pubs in the area of Wimbledon's ground, btw. )

[bh]

Going to try and make my debut at the fesival this year, as it's usually on while I'm on holiday, or nights.

[votp]

Deffo! Count me in; I think i could make any day (other than Sat of course). Went for the first time last year and thoroughly enjoyed it; a nice evening out after work if you ply your trade in That London.

[J Esaj PRA]

malxscfc said:

Ah. "fULLers"! ;D

Almost as evil as Fosters, but not quite.


There will be a large contingent of Tamworth there on the Thursday - it has been planned for some time. Mot will start early and finish early, for obvious transportation reasons, but I'm sure I could extend my stay.

It gets stupidly busy from about 5pm onwards on Thursdays and Fridays. Saturdays are usually quieter, but they do run out of beer, resulting in long queues for whatever is left.

[ambersalamander]

malxscfc said:

(Some of the SCFC lot recommend the 'Robert Peel' if you're looking for alternative Pubs in the area of Wimbledon's ground, btw. )

Ain't Wimbledon. That's in Kingston, and only just not New Malden.

The Peel is indeed a good alternative pub- several of my mates' bands play there regularly and I practically lived there from 2003-2006!

[Col ISIHAC.]

Hmm, logistics.

Am in Kent Friday, and COULD go via the GBBF - and Thursday is worth it for the entertainment alone!

[amberaleman]

Hey, let's try to make it a T(h)inpot Thursday at GBBF.

Get in there at kick-off, commandeer a big table (or two ;D) at the back, and settle in for the afternoon.

[ambersalamander]

Okie! Count me in! Thursday it is.

[amberaleman]

For anyone who wants to beat the queues and buy/print a ticket in advance, try this:

www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=gbbftickets

Note: there's a warning on here about bringing bags to the festival. Because of the ongoing security scare in London, any bags will be searched and must be left in the cloakroom (for which there's a charge). So travel light if you can!

[bh]

'fraid I'm at the Test Match on Thursday, so won't be attending alas!

[ambersalamander]

Can I bring a girlie handbag?

[amberaleman]

ambersalamander said:

Can I bring a girlie handbag?

Small girlie handbag + lots of girlie charm = successful entry with bag.

[votp]

Bought ticket via the website and the 'print your own' facility. Failed dismally to work necessitating 20mins on the 'phone, good start!
Must remember small girlie handbag as well.

[amberaleman]

votp said:

Bought ticket via the website and the 'print your own' facility. Failed dismally to work necessitating 20mins on the 'phone, good start!

Worked fine for me!