Who's going to the GBBF?

[Richard English]

I have decided that I'll definitely be there on the Thursday, 07 August and maybe other days depending on workload.

If I can work out how to do it I'll post a picture on the site so that anyone who spots me can buy me a pint (or several!). And you never know, I might even buy one back.

I usually have my first one at the Young's bar right by the main entrance before moving into the main area.

Who'll be there?

[chazwicke]

I'll be there. I have tickets for each session. I will actually be in London from the 4th through the 12th so I will be hitting some pubs too. I am looking forward to the GBBF. Cask ales Here I come.

[Richard English]

Good heavens. The picture thing worked. Mind you, that back-lit shot makes me look far too angelic!

[steveh]

Oh lord, does this mean I have to go put a suit on for a forum pic! ;)

S.

[chazwicke]

Great Richard. Now I will know what you look like and will stop by the Young's booth on Thursday. I will definitely need your wise council and advice on how to approach the GBBF tastings. I have been to plenty of tastings and beer festivals over the years, even one with 64 cask ales. But this being my first GBBF I am certain it will be daunting. I have beer to Britain may times and have enjoyed many, many fine beers there. English cask ales are my passion. Everything from Landlord to Black Sheep! There is no finer beer in the world.

[Richard English]

As it happens I have a business meeting that Thursday evening so I'll probably be dressed in posh gear (and even carrying a briefcase!)

However, the reason for the stylishness of my picture here is simply that it's a PR shot for my promotional material that purports to show me as a responsible businessman who is worthy of his high fees!

I did consider the one of me riding my ancient motorcycle but realised that the crash helmet meant that my face was invisible!

[Richard English]

Quote "...Everything from Landlord to Black Sheep!..."

Both good beers, it is true, but don't eschew the southern ales. The prize-winning Fuller's and Young's beers are both brewed less than five miles from the GBBF site.

As for your approach, I suggest you stick on halves or you'll never get through all 450 different ales!

[chazwicke]

I certainly do enjoy Youngs and Fullers. I have passed by the Fullers Brewery on several occasions. Fine beers to be sure. And as I mentioned in a previous post I also am fond of Abbot Ale and other Greene King products.
I will most definitley stick to halves and I am going to try to be somewhat systematic in my approach. Especially since I have several days to try and get through the beers. I know I will not be able to sample all of them. That would take a Herculean effort. Are there any that you would recommend that I just plain avoid?

[Richard English]

There are no bad beers at the GBBF (no chemical fizz is allowed). However some you will prefer to others.

I always start with one that I know I'll like and then try the others, starting with those I don't know and those that I know but don't get too much chance to try. I tend to avoid anything too strong - a half of Sarah Hughes mild is equivalant to a pint of ordinary bitter - and I'd sooner have the pint than the half.

[chazwicke]

Yes, that is my usual approach too. And I try to go from lightest to darkest styles as a general rule. Hard to sample a precision kolsh after an big stout or barleywine. This festival I will be aiming for those cask ales. I usually am not a note keeper on the beers that I have sampled in my travels. I have, however, kept track of every beer I have ever sampled in Great Britian. Not tasting notes just which ones I have tried. I fear that this will be a difficult task on this trip. Will there be a printed program listing which beers are there? It may be better if I could check them off.

[Richard English]

There always has been in the past and I have tried to take notes. Sadly my good intentions have always faded after about the sixth half.

However, if you want to, you can download a 5-page .pdf file from the CAMRA site http://www.camra.org.uk/ which give details of all the beers that are scheduled to be there - from Abbey Ales Bellringer to Young's Waggledance and all 448 in between!

It might be a temporary fault but when I tried to print it out I got an "illegal operation" shutdown.

[chazwicke]

I was able to print the list. Thanks! You have been very helpful. I wonder if any of the others that frequent this board will be attending.