Well it’s the big one this weekend, as the 9th SIBA
South East Regional Beer Competition kicks off tomorrow on my home patch. As in
previous years, the event is being hosted by Tonbridge Juddians Rugby Club, and
is housed in a large marquee behind TJ’s clubhouse.
The festival features 170 cask beers from the region’s
finest independent brewers, and this year, for the first time the event will also
feature “craft keg” beers produced by SIBA members from across the whole of the
SIBA South Region.
The event opens to the public at 5pm Friday 10th July, but prior to that the serious business of tasting and judging the beers takes place. There are umpteen different categories, and from tomorrow evening the results will be available on the SIBA website. The festival then continues right through Saturday and into Sunday.
The event opens to the public at 5pm Friday 10th July, but prior to that the serious business of tasting and judging the beers takes place. There are umpteen different categories, and from tomorrow evening the results will be available on the SIBA website. The festival then continues right through Saturday and into Sunday.
Entry is free, but you will need to purchase a glass at £2.00.
A token system is in operation, with all beers priced at £3.20 a pint;
regardless of strength. A range of ciders and perrys will also be available,
along with a B-B-Q. On Saturday, the Acoustic Reverb Collection will provide
the musical entertainment, introducing a number of up and coming local
musicians.
I am planning to attend tomorrow evening (Friday), and also
on Saturday, when a family group of us will be having a picnic out on the grass
in front of the marquee. A full report on the festival will follow in due
course.
Update:
I have been asked by one of the festival organisers, to
point out that the “craft keg” beers mentioned are reserved for the SIBA competition,
and will not be on sale to the public at the festival itself, so apologies for any confusion.
This is because of all the extra cooling and dispense
equipment necessary for this type of beer. However, with 170 cask beers, plus
21 different ciders, there will still be more than enough to satisfy even the most
hardened and fastidious of beer connoisseurs (Higgsbosun – are you reading
this!!).
As for myself, I can’t wait to get stuck into the mountain
of delicious pale ales, IPA’s, porters, stouts and special beers which will be
on sale. Cheers, Prost, zum Wohl, a votre santé and all that!
4 comments:
Hi Paul
Gary here from TJs festival organisation ... just to clarify that the "Keg Craft" beers are in the SIBA competition but not for sale at the festival. We may be able to feature 1 or 2 in the clubhouse bar on Saturday but the cellar and cooling required for the craft beers mean we just can't accommodate in the Cask festival.
Still there should be something among the 170 cask ales or 21 ciders that will strike a chord with most. If not ... we sell water ! :-)
Have fun!
Many thanks for the correction Garry; I have updated the blog accordingly. Look forward to catching up with you later on this evening. Paul
can't wait - weather is looking great as well - will say 'hello' if I spot you through the crowds! :-)
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