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CAMRA Beer Festival
St. Aldates, Town Hall
The Turf Festival
The Turf Pub
28 – 30 October
Four hazy days in the St. Aldates Town Hall marked the annual Oxford
Beer Festival over the weekend. I attended the event on its final
night, enjoying the blissfully intoxicating atmosphere of men and their beer. The
murmur of merriment could be heard out on St. Aldates as I observed
that the board of admission prices had been altered with a suitably
unsteady hand with the word ‘FREE!’. One hundred and sixty casks lined
the centre of the hall as the customers shuffled from one to the next,
endeavoring to savour all one hundred and twenty of the country’s
finest brews.
The event is organised by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in an attempt to promote and preserve the traditional brewing methods. The
organisation’s branch secretary Neil Hoggarth conceded that the rise of
commercial globally-produced beers and modern preferences didn’t favour
his profession but he seemed unperturbed given the success of the
Festival.
Voting for ‘Beer of the Festival’ was almost over with ‘Dark Star’ from West Sussex and ‘Little Valley’ of West Yorkshire looking like strong contenders for the crown. The
festival was due to end at 11pm when the results ought to have been in.
However, Hoggarth thought that the event would perhaps end sooner given
the healthy speed of the beer’s consumption, very evident on the
cheerfully flushed faces of all involved.
For those berating themselves for having missed out on the beery joys,
this year the Turf holds its third annual Ale Festival, a three-day
extravaganza from 28 – 30 October. With over a hundred beers and ales
crowding the back garden, it promises to be a spectacular (if a little hazily remembered) weekend.
Manager Darren Kent describes the festival as “the perfect opportunity to sample a wide range of new beers”. Kent is looking forward to ‘Bearelzebub’ from Bear Town brewery, and also sampling ales from new brewers Nailers and Empire.
A pub famous for being both town and gown, the Turf will be full of
students having a good time as well as the serious beer enthusiasts
known as ‘tickers’ who come from all over the country to try out this
season’s new ales.
Having been to last year’s event, it comes highly recommended: whether
you are new to Oxford or already know the cosy intimacy of the Turf, do
drop in. With over a hundred different beers, ales, and ciders to
choose from (as well as the usual selection, and good pub grub) you may
find a new favourite.ARCHIVE: 2nd week MT 2005

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