Great British Beer Festival - My thoughts on the GBBF at Olympia, Earls Court.
The Great British Beer Festival - 2002
As an avid follower of the Order of Beer Drinkers I'm obliged to go on pilgrimage at least once a year. As normal our Lord Percy and I, Brother Fin set out on this intrepid endeavour in search of the Holy Ale. When we arrived at the Mount of Olympia (Earls Court) we were greeted, not by Zeus but the Goddess of Beer, Ninkasi. She set fourth three challenges before we could taste her golden nectar.
- To enter the great hall whilst others queue
- To obtain a drinking glass that is suitable for such sacrosanct refreshment
- and finally to resist the temptations of the Carling Bar!
Our first challenge was easy, as fully paid up members we waltzed passed the masses queuing and on production of my Gold Membership Card we were waved onto our next challenge. Our second challenge was not so easy, prepared with £2.50 we approached the beer glass vendor to purchase pint glasses only to be stopped in our tracks, yes they had raised the levy, again, to a staggering £3.00 (I was unable to negotiate a discount even with my gold card). Finally we were faced with a multitude of shrines to go and worship, would be tempted by the Carling Bar? Not on your Ninkasi!
As normal we studied the form and selected the bar of our choice, we joked it will probably be closed as it has on previous years and true to form, it was. Moving on swiftly in search for oral pleasures we travelled around the great hall nomadically drifting from bar to bar tasting the wonders on offer, deviating only to relieve bowl pressure and consume the bounty of Cornish Pasties and German Bratwursts.
As the day drew to a close we were (or at least Brother Fin was) in need to sit down to enjoy the sights, sounds and one of the final pints of the day. By chance we came across an advert in our guide promoting the 'members area'. One last chance to flash that gold card and reflect on what was one of the finest beer festivals in recent years.
The new layout of the bars gave a more spacious feel to the festival and the revelation that an area is set aside for members was a gift from the Goddess herself and will definitely be used next year. As ever the food on offer (apart from the offerings of the Carling Bar) were on top form, but you want to know did we find the Holy Ale? Well yes! of all the Ales tasted the true offering fit for the gods this year is...
...An award winning Ale from the Orkney Isles, Dark Island.
