Belfast Beer and Cider Festival 19 - 21st Nov

[Niman]

****e customer service

 

[GlentoranMark]

I went a few years ago on the Saturday night, had some lovely beers. Come closing time I was down to my last choice and there were only 2 or 3 beers (for a reason). I had the most horrible beer ever, couldn't finish it and was on the throne for 2 days :-?

We'll be there on Saturday between 2 - 5 ish, hopefully to get a few decent ones. I'll try and go for as many stouts as possible.

 

[Niman]

Must say i had a few very good hoppy pale ales. and an IPA that had had next to no hop flavour...the stouts(that i tried) where mediocre to be honest.....my biggest dissapointment was for a local brewery and that really annoyed me as for a treat i have (in the past) paid £2.49 locally for a bottle of scullions twisted hop and have always loved it......the swill that was served today from the cask was abysmal...watery taste and next to no hop bitterness or aroma...

 

[ManseMasher]

Last day today! If anyone intends going, a couple of recommendations - Ards Hip Hop and a couple from Farmageddon, their gold is gorgeous, and their Mosaic will knock your socks off (Niman can vouch for that - I saw his face when he took a whiff!)

 

[Niman]

That was one seriously hoppy beer

 

[GlentoranMark]

Quick trip report.

Called in for a couple of hours was my missus. Only had 5 beers each, good sized half pints :) My head was spinning as I walked home lol.

I stuck to Stouts while my missus went for a mixture of Cider and Beer. Her first cider was a Toby's sweet, it was cloudy with no fizz and had some sediment - that sort of spoiled the rest of the day for her (and me). There was nothing wrong with the cider BTW, she's just not into this scene but she kept a brave face and I ended up with a lot of her drinks.

She had 2 Summer Sweets by Tempted Cider. This was much more to her pallette, it was a straw colour and quite delicious even though I'm not really into my ciders. Beer wise she had an Atlas Latitude 3.6%, a pale ale described as a lager but it certainly wasn't. I thought it tasted fine, mildly hoppy and no strong tastes but I finished her glass as it wasn't to her tastes. She also had a Hambleton Lightray 4%, again described as a lager, "light and refreshing with hints of orange" but it was very hoppy and left a strong after taste. I'm not one to waste a beer, I finished most of the glass

I had my beers planned out but unfortunately I was left dissapointed as some of them had sold out.

I started with a Phoenix Porter 5%. It was a bit thin, no strong flavours and a hint of coffee. Next came a local brew an Ards Ballyblack 4.2%. Again very thin, no strong flavours and made with Fuggles and Goldings. It was the hops that made me choose this but it was very mellow and I couldn't distinguish them. Next came a Brewmith Oatmeal Stout 5.2%. I went for this as I've seen a few threads on this style of beer an I've never tried it. It certainly had a punch! Nice and hoppy, thick and and enjoyable glass. Next I had a Burton Brige Bramble Stout 5%, again another thin beer with no strong flavours, it was OK but it didn't have the same impact as the Oatmeal. Finally I had and Elland 1872 Porter 6.5%, it certainly had a kick to it, nice and strong hoppy flavours and a great brew to finish with.

Unfortunately some of the brews had already sold out. I was salivating at the idea of a Bourbon Milk Stout and a Hot Dog Chilli Stout and I was keeping them for my final 2 glasses but I was left wanting. Maybe next year.

Music was traditional Irish music supplied by "Hot Whiskey", they certainly had my foot tapping at times even though it's not normally my scene. Food wasn't great value, �£6.50 for a pie, champ (an Irish dish of mashed potatoes and scallions) and gravy. Small portions and not very filling. Entrace was �£5 but that came with a souvineer glass an programme with a list of beers.

I'll definitely be back next year although can't see my missus going. I'm gonna hint at a CAMRA membership for XMas and I'll be brewing an Oatmeal Stout soon.

 

[ManseMasher]

Sounds like you had a good time! The Elland 1872 Porter has won quite a few awards, surprised there was any left! You didn't miss out by not trying the hot dog chilli stout by the way - it coated my tongue and was burning for ages....

 

[Niman]

im dreading the video footage ....on thurs everytime i turned round i had a fecking camera pointed at me...


the bramble stout was my first drink and defo the best of what i tried

 

[ManseMasher]

Don't worry mate - the lens will have broken first time it clocked you....

 

[DethApostle]

We never made it on the Saturday night in the end. By the time we'd finished eating at the Crown it would only have been for a couple of hours and the group determined it wasn't worth it.
We had been drinking a Farmageddon ale (relabelled as Stark Ale or something) at the Winterfell experience day we went to. Very nice, floral hoppy IPA. Tasty stuff!

Had a good night out in Belfast though, really enjoyed my first visit and it definitely won't be my last!
DA