GBBF '12

Sorry Ruds but the reality of the Oylmpics this summer means that this isn't even a consideration for me.

 

Yeah that puts me off journeying down. Will be going to the nearby-ish one in Essex though. On the topic of beer festivals though i'm still laughing at the Cardiff one, where the foreign beers section consisted of Budweiser only.

 

I'm thinking about it. I'd really like to go, especially as I didn't manage it last year after I ballsed up and couldn't take the time off. But the olympics could be a bit problematic - London is going to be insane. I'll let you know if a meet up might be possible.....

 

The other problem Ruds is that I'll be bouncing around Sheffield 4 days before the GBBF kicks off.

 

I'll be there all day, every day, just like the past 17 years

 

I'll miss it as I'll be out of town, but the only reason that upsets me is because I'll also miss my only chance to buy Tipopils. Alas.

 

Tipopils now available in UK. Went to 'launch' @ North Bar in Leeds a couple of weeks back.

 

WHAT?! That is outstanding news. Thanks for letting me know.

 

I'm only in London til mid August, but I just now heard about GBBF. I'm planning on attending whichever days I can out of pure interest (and a little excitement) about the event, but honestly the website is a bit lacking and doesn't really tell me much. Any tips you guys can share to a GBBF-first-timer?

 

avoid any piles of green sawdust is my no.1 tip.

 

The one thing that the website doesn't currently have is the beer list - I don't think it goes up until a few weeks before the fest. I guess finalising all the details is quite tricky. Check back here - I'm sure someone will mention it when the list goes live....

 

Find the foreign bars. Drink their beers. Eat sausage and mash. Don't buy a fucking stupid hat.

 

check out the beer list beforehand and plan what you'd really like to try (check back here and people who've already tried stuff or know the breweries will be able to point you in the right direction.) I don't necessarily agree with Scoop re the foreign beer bars- if you're from Philly then you'll already have good access to most of the foreign stuff, so take the opportunity to drink proper real ale from brewers that you won't have access to in the States. Oh, and I favour Pork Scratchings over sausage and mash, but that's just me. I agree whole-heartedly re the hat.

 

I fully respect Paxton's opinions. But there's plenty of decent stuff that don't float over the pond that's worth drinking. And it's usually kept proper cool. Although it's dispensed wrongly. And most of the UK cask beers are an embarrassment.

And a simple rule: sausage and mash to stodge up on for beer; pork scratchings to eat in your hotel room at 3am when you won't notice / don't care that your eating a pig's hairy eyebrow.

I now want pork scratchings. I may have to toddle off down the road and break into the butcher's shop. God-damned salty porky hairy cravings!

 

I think i saw this video...

 

I'll be here with my brother! I'm quite pleased to have sorted this out - looking forward to it.

Unfortunately Ruds I don't think we'll be meeting this time - I'll be at the fest on Friday. Though if anyone else is around that day I'd be happy to come and say howdy....