Heart of Warwickshire Branch

Double Top! - Beers of the festival 2007

(alphabetically by brewery)

1. Consett Ale Works - White Hot (very pale and hoppy)
1. Darwin - Hammond's Porter (jet black with lots of dark malt and chocolate tones)
2. High House - Matfen Magic
3. Mordue - IPA

For the first time this year we have, not one, but two beers taking the accolade of Beer of the Festival.

This is not because of a change of judging criteria, but simply due to a tied number of votes from the drinkers.

Interestingly the two beers were on different bars and are of two completely different styles.

The special award for the fastest selling beer went to Wylam's Belgian style wheat beer, Wit. Cider of the festival was Tardebigge Medium.

Some Stats

The 1,198 visitors consumed 3,920 pints of beer and 450 pints of cider and perry. Friday evening was the busiest session, many drinkers heeding our advice to arrive early to enjoy the best selection. For a while we had to restrict admission to comply with the fire regulations and to ease pressure in the bar area. We apologise if you had to wait to get in.

Wettest summer on record?

Unusually for the summer of 2007, the dry and fine weather enabled many drinkers to sit outside, especially on Saturday lunchtime. Saturday evening opened with a choice of over 40 beers, of which 15 remained at the close of the festival.

Other Years

• 2009
• 2008
• 2006

Theme - Beers from the North of England

The festival featured beers from Northumberland, County Durham and Tyne & Wear as well as beers from our local breweries.

Entertainment

One record set at was the largest number of musicians providing the Saturday evening entertainment. The combined forces of Steam Chicken and the Dust Bowl String Band came to 13, overflowing the stage at the far end of the hall. The wide variety of music styles in the performance was appreciated by many in the audience.

Innovation

Also very well received were the festival glasses, particularly the stem half pint with a third pint marking. Many drinkers took advantage of this to sample a wider range of beers without increasing overall consumption.

Fund Raising

Finally thanks to all those of you who donated your unused beer tokens to the charity collection in aid of the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. The total raised was £350 - WNAA pass on their thanks.