The 2013 London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival was held on 6th - 8th March 2013. The Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1H 9AU. Thanks to everyone who came, whether as a visitor or worker. A pdf of the 2013 poster can now be downloaded London Drinker Beer & Cider Festival 2013 poster. Around 4000 people attended over the 4 days and not once did we have to restrict entry due to the hall's fire limit, which was just as well as some nights were cold and rainy.

The bar dedicated to London Beers was particularly liked; one quote from the feedback form: “Great beers, great staff – particularly on the London Bar”. As a result we will be repeating the bar again - with even more London beer.

The voting for the beer of the festival was dominated by dark beers. In first place was Otley Oxymoron Black IPA 5.5% ABV, followed by Windsor & Eton Treetops Coffee Porter 4.4%, Boggart Dark Mild 4.0% and then Dark Star Porter 5.5%. The cider/perry of the festival was Gywntyddraig Pyder (made from pears and apples) with Green Valley Rum Tiddley Tum (Cider matured in a Rum cask) in second place. The foreign beer of the festival was, once again Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Bamberg).

We were pleased that the Mayor Camden, Cllr Heather Johnson, was able to attend our trade session and say a few words. It was the best attended trade session to date with brewers, journalists and licensees enjoying beers from 16 London brewers plus a London cider.

Next year's festival will be a week later: Wednesday 12th -Friday 14th March 2014 in the same place. See you then.

The Wet Stuff

A list of the expected beers (UK and imported), ciders and perries will be posted when the various orders were finalised. See last year's list. We intend to have even more London beers in 2013. Beer and Cider Menu

We are very grateful to those breweries who have supported the event through their sponsorship of the programme, festival glass, tombola and games and last, but not least, the London LocAle Bar. Festival Sponsors

Other bits

This is one of the few festivals where CAMRA volunteers do the catering, and we pride ourselves on the variety and quality of the food on sale. Food Menu
As always, the Festival will feature the CAMRA Shop with books, breweriana and clothing including the much anticipated Festival T-shirt (short and long-sleeved) next to the Tombola and Games stand where excellent prizes can be won. Shop and Games

As can be seen from the poster on the right, CAMRA members can get into the festival at a reduced price. Why not join CAMRA at the Festival and take advantage of our special offer, which is a free pint if you join at the event.

Media releases (current and past) and photos of past Festivals can be found here - Media page

Fancy helping out?

If you are a CAMRA member, and fancy helping out, down load a Word version of the Staffing Form and e-mail it back to Ian Staffing form 2013 or print it out and send with your membership number to Ian Shacklock, 29 Monsell Road, Highbury, London N4 2EF. Contact moc.liamg@kcolkcahsnai. If you would like to find out more about working at the Festival, see this document. You will find it useful if you haven't worked at this Festival and particularly if you are new to beer festival working. Working at the Festival No experience is necessary to work at the Festival.

If you plan to volunteer please ensure that in advance of the festival you familiarise yourself with the Health and Safety Guidelines Volunteers Handbook which can be found in the Volunteers Section of CAMRA's national web site. Please note you must be logged in as a CAMRA volunteer to access this. http://www.camra.org.uk/bfhands

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LDbeerfest (@LDbeerfest) Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-Drinker-Beer-Festival/126727707385567

Photos of setting up the 2012 Festival:

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