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London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival 2004
by Christine Cryne
What ever you do this March, make a point of coming to this year's London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival for there will be a mood of celebrations with the Festival celebrating its 20th birthday. Held at the Camden Centre, close to St Pancras and King's Cross Stations, the Festival is the longest running London Festival in one venue and still the only one in London that does its own food, priding itself on good quality and good value.
There will be around 50 different real ales including many from small micro-breweries that did not exist when the Festival was founded as well as some from the 200 brewers that were brewing in 1985. Compare that situation to the thousands of different beers brewed now and you will see CAMRA's success in encouraging new breweries. But it is not only good British Beer where the choice has improved. The Festival's imported beer bar will have the usual Belgian, Dutch and German regulars, such as Gueuze, Lambic, Witbier, honey, fruit, spiced and smoked beers plus dark lagers and Bockbiers. But it will also have beers from the Rogue Brewery, Oregon, USA and some unusual Lithuanian beers plus (hopefully) the Czech Bud, the strong beer from Budweiser Budvar currently only available in the off trade. Regrettably, the same growth does not seem to have occurred for cider and perry but the Festival will boast a select range of this difficult to find drink. If you have never tried perry, this is your opportunity to do so. At around 4.5% ABV+ it should still be treated with respect even if it drinks much lighter.
But drink is not the only entertainment. On Wednesday night there is the Breweriana Auction, starting around 7.30pm and there is a live band on Friday evening. Thursday lunchtime sees a tutored beer tasting sponsored by Bedford's Charles Wells Brewery. To get a place, simply turn up before 12.30pm at lunchtime to receive a free ticket for the draw for the 10 places. The tasting starts around 1pm. Thursday evening is the quiet night but at all times there is a Tombola and the Shut the Box; the latter is a sailor's game of skill where players can win a tee shirt. The balcony will be open in the evenings to provide extra seating for those who just want to sit and chat. The food is served in the non-smoking side hall. Each day there are two speciality dishes, one of which is vegetarian. This year the menu varies from the traditional liver, bacon and mushroom casserole to lamb tagine for the meat eaters, and vegetarian cous cous to carrot and peanut butter roast for the vegetarians, alongside a number of items served every day such as sausage and mash and the most filling cheese baps ever. On the entertainment front, Friday evening sees the debut at the festival of the Billy Chong Blues Review. Formed in 1991 by US blues man Billy Chong and sax player Philip Holmes, they have played all over the world, and have been the house band at the Globe in Hackney for the last three years, as well as performing at other venues in London. They can vary from a 4-piece to a big band, complete with brass section. The musicians' credits include Suede, Prince Buster's All-Stars and a No.1 hit with Lena Lovitch.
The 2004 Festival starts on Wednesday 17th March from noon until Friday 19th March and takes place at Camden Town Hall, Bidborough Street, WC1. Wheelchair users are particularly welcome at lunchtimes where accessibility around the hall is easier. See the website for further details including those for the beer range as they become available - www.camranorthlondon.org.uk
Reproduced from the Full Pint, Issue 24.
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