I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Tag: Beer

I like beer. Real beer. Ale, that’s real ale ok. I like lots of different kinds of ale and beer.

Bermondsey Beer Mile

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I did this back in July of 2019 with a friend. It was a good laugh. That is to say, what I remember of it was a good laugh. I started at noon and managed to get a train home about 12 hours later, so it was a pretty big commitment.

As far as I recall (and that isn’t too far), it was around 15-18 bars or tap rooms. Each with its own brews and guest beers too. Also all of it was craft ale, which I’m not always fond of, but there were a few real stand out beers from that day. One of which was Hiver, a honey beer that I’ve now had several times and just doesn’t disappoint in my opinion.

I would do it again I think. Especially in the summer, when the weather is good and so is the company. Either way, I would thoroughly recommend this, or at least some parts of it. If you’re interested then just look up the Bermondsey Beer Mile in Google Maps. You’ll find everything you need.

The 13th Redhill Beer Festival

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I don’t think I’ve ever been to this beer festival. It’s one that I’ve meant to go to, but never got to. However, when I saw the logo for this festival I knew I had to go for it, and it wasn’t bad really.

There was a reasonable selection of ales and some good milds too, several of which I sampled on Friday night. I can safely say that I’ll probably do this one again though.

GBBF @ 40

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Well it was a must really. I try to go every year anyway, but this year, as it was the 40th anniversary. I had to go. No choices at all.

It was a good beer festival too. I tend to go now on the opening night. It’s not as busy as the Friday, there’s more and if not all beers then almost all are available. I especially liked the glass this year, which I managed to get home in one piece, which was excellent.

So, that’s a micropub then

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I’d never been to a ‘micropub’ before, in fact I hadn’t even heard of one. Then, whilst in Wells over the summer I found this little place called ‘Just Ales’. It was definitely smaller than a regular pub, although I’m sure I’ve been in smaller pubs in London. Anyway, it was certainly an interesting experience. I especially liked the ‘thirds’ option, where instead of having a pint or a half you can have 3 different beers in thirds glasses. It’s a good option, and I hope that more pubs make this available.

I’m not sure if the idea of a micropub is a good one or not. I’d like to try out a few more before I have a real opinion.

Tasting at the St Austell Brewery

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This was a rather lovely time at the St Austell Brewery a couple of months ago. I’ve been here before and done the brewery tour, but back then it was different. You got to see a lot more of the actual brewery and the process and it’s all changed now. It’s a shorter tour, but also in some ways a little better too. There’s a much bigger emphasis on the tasting side at the end, which I am all in favour of.

As you can see from the bottles in the picture above, there was a good range and plenty to go around. It made the tour quite different and, in my opinion, a lot more fun.

I also really liked how they offered thirds of pints in the bar. So you could have a taster tray of 3 beers. Very useful indeed.

The Oxted Beer Festival

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Oxted Beer Festival
Oxted Beer Festival
Oxted Beer Festival
Oxted Beer Festival
Oxted Beer Festival

I haven’t gone every year, but I think I have for the last few, and it’s been ok. My big gripe with this beer festival is the cost. It’s more expensive than the Great British Beer Festival and is no way near as good! So why does it cost so much, and why has it gone up in price year after year? I don’t get it.

The beer wasn’t bad. They didn’t run out, which was a positive as they did run out last year. The music was ok. Friday night was better than Saturday. Saturday started well and got progressively worse as the evening went on.

So I’m not sure that this festival is going to be on my list if it keeps on getting more and more expensive for less and less value. It’s a shame, but if the organisers can’t make it work without putting up prices by 20-25% every year, then they’re doing something very wrong.