Steel City Beer Festival

So the Steel City Beer Festival is over for another year. I think it was a good improvement on last year, the layout was much better and all the familiar trappings were present; Chilli Chocolate, Billabong, traditional pub games and a beer merchandise stall.

I worked on the Thurs night and found it very enjoyable, helping out on the bar and then manning the games stall. Worked out how to score to win a prize on the bagatelle by watching some talented lads who won all the beer on offer. So when I went on Friday as a punter I was able to win three bottles of beer for myself!

However there were a couple of niggles; the glass was exactly the same as last year with just the number changed. Now, due to the poor monetary success of last years festival it is hard to blame the organisers for trying to keep costs down. Which also explains the second niggle of beer starting to run out on the Friday with the bar shutting on Saturday night at 10pm (so I'm told) due to all the beer being sold out! No waste this year at least.

But before it ran out there was a good range of beer. Not sure who won the grand title of beer of the festival but I'm sure the next edition of Beer Matters will inform us. However I think my favourite was probably Jorvik Blonde from Rudgate Brewery in York. And I was lucky enough to get a half of Farmers Jack O'Lantern on Thursday as it had gone by Friday. A wonderful halloween beer from Bradfield Brewery do try it if you happen to see it anywhere. The Chilli Chocolate Stout from Wentworth almost took my head off and I couldn't stop drinking Yakima IPA from Great Heck. A dangerously drinkable beer as it is 7.4% but very smooth and easy going. Managed to have the Dr Morton's special but missed out on Abbeydale's special, Concussion which was annoying. Suffice to say though that I tried enough different beers to have the worst hangover on Saturday that I've had in a long time! But that's beer festivals for you.

Well as they say, third time lucky (in an indoor venue), and I have every confidence that next year will be an overwhelming success. I shall try and be more involved myself. :)

38th Sheffield Beer Festival

What better way to celebrate cask ale week than to visit the 38th Sheffield Beer Festival? Yes I know, it is not the most glamourous of locations but I think we struggle in Sheffield for mid sized venues that have character. Nothing comes close to the Winding Wheel in Chesterfield for instance, the location of the Chesterfield Beer Festival earlier this year.

But what does the venue matter really? There's going to be a truck load of beer! Breweries that you don't see in Sheffield and special beers from our resident breweries. I have already worked out what I am going to drink!

I did volunteer to work on the bar tonight but unfortunately the confirmation email did not come through unti 2:26 this morning. Which is a bit late notice. So off to the Broadfield later for £2 a pint and quiz night!