Wakefield (CAMRA) Beer Festival 2009

06-11-2009

Another weekend, another beer festival, this time a short train journey away, in Wakefield at the Light Waves Leisure Centre. A short walk up Westgate took us past The Black Rock, thinking it rude to pass by without popping in, an excellent pint of Tetley's was enjoyed - Two guest beers were available as well. Suitably refreshed we descended on the beer festival. Four pounds entry (free for CAMRA members), including a NON-REFUNDABLE festival glass (Two pounds for CAMRA members).... Didn't I read somewhere that glasses at all CAMRA festivals should be refundable? Then tickets for beer, priced at 1.20 each which we were told would buy a half. Imagine our surprise then when some stronger beers were a token plus 10p or even 20p. A good varied selection of beers on offer from the sublime Jaipur IPA (Thornbridge) and Dark Ruby Mild (Sarah Hughes) to the reasonable Hill Climb (Prescott) and the downright awful (cant really say but it was poured down the sink in the gents). Read full article

Great British Beer Festival 2009

10-08-2009

It was hat day on Thursday when we left Aletalk Towers for a trip to the capital and the Great British Beer Festival. After a good lunch washed down with a pint of Summer Lightning at The Punch Tavern in Fleet Street we ventured forth to Earls Court, which we found to have been converted into the tap-room of a dinghy back street boozer (albeit a large one). At least we felt a home. Read full article

Bower Beer Fest

26-07-2009

It's always nice to support a non-CAMRA beer festival. Not that there is anything wrong with CAMRA festivals but to put on a festival without their weight behind you must make the job twice as difficult. With this in mind we set out on a sunny Saturday afternoon to see if the second Bower Beer Fest lived up to expectations. Read full article

Beers of the World LIVE

15-06-2009

The temptation of enjoying 300 of the world's best beers was too much. So last Friday (12 June) we departed Aletalk Towers and took the train to the NEC excitedly discussing how many of the 300 beers we'd get to drink. Read full article

Aletalk is Backing Proud of Pubs Week

15-06-2009

Aletalk is backing Proud of Pubs Week 2009, which is taking place from July 11 to 19. The campaign, being promoted by The Publican is about getting pubs, people and politicians behind their key campaign message: that pubs are GOOD Read full article

Jennings Brewery Tour

22-05-2009

It is always a concern when a small independent brewery is taken over by a larger concern. This was the case for Jennings when in 2005 they were taken over by Marston's Plc (nee Wolverhampton & Dudley). Any fears we had were eased after an informative brewery tour, conducted by our knowledgeable guide. Read full article