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ESP SUPS UP @ THE BEER FEST!

Writer's picture: ESP OnlineESP Online

Your 2014 Beer Festival Champion Ale is…

Every summer I’m drawn to certain places in Peterborough. There’s nothing better than sitting in the sun with a cold pint in your hand at venues such as Charters, The Boathouse and the Peterborough Beer Festival. So, when ESP Magazine asked me to be a beer judge at the popular annual Festival, I of course jumped at the chance.

Every year the Peterborough Branch of Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) invite a variety of drinkers to taste the best of the best, and crown one beer as the overall champion.


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I soon realised I wasn’t quite as qualified as some of the other judges. Whilst true beer gurus were getting hints of berries, and a barky cocoa taste, I actually noted that one beer – ‘Tastes like a sausage’.

Does that make me a bad judge though? I don’t think so. I may not be able to describe a good beer as well as others, but I can certainly taste one. Although my descriptions were not as ‘professional’ as the other judges around me, we all had very similar scores.


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One of the judges sat at my table was Chris Nightingale, who helped set up the Beer Festival. Chris was one of a select few who helped choose what beers were going to be entered into the competition. He explained, “When choosing what beers should go through, you look out for a few things – the clarity of the beer, the smell of it, and of course the taste.”

I asked Chris what this competition would mean to the winner. “This really is a massive competition,” he said. “The winning beer goes forward to the Great British Beer Festival. Everyone wanted to have a taste of last year’s winning beer and they struggled to keep up with demand. I’ve no doubt that the same will happen with this year’s winning beer too – it’s a very big deal.”


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It was a pleasure getting to know Chris and the others sat at my table. This for me is the best thing about being at the Beer Festival. After a few drinks people start to lose their inhibitions and before long, laughter and cheers can be heard within the tents. I highly recommend you get your friends together and go.

And whilst you’re there, below I give you the beers to look out for during your visit to the Beer Festival. As voted by myself AND the more experienced judges…

In third place is my personal favourite – Dunham Massey Chocolate Cherry Mild.

In second place is Bad Seed Expresso Stout.

And your 2014 Champion Ale is… Nene Valley Bible Black.

Don’t agree with the results? Feel free to comment below on your favourite beers to look out for at Peterborough’s popular annual event which runs until Saturday night.  See our Gig Guide for a list of the live bands playing and don’t forget to catch the ESP Lunchtime Quiz with Ian Gray at 1pm!

Mikey Clarke

BEER FESTIVAL Times and Prices:

Thursday 21st August 2014

OPEN ALL DAY

Noon to 3pm

Entry charge £1 on the door

FREE to CAMRA & EBCU members

3pm to 11pm

Entry charge £6.00 on the door

£2 to CAMRA & EBCU members

Friday 22nd August 2014

OPEN ALL DAY

Noon to 3pm

Entry charge £1 on the door

FREE to CAMRA & EBCU members

3pm to 11pm

Entry charge £6.00 on the door

£2 to CAMRA & EBCU members

Saturday 23rd August 2014

OPEN ALL DAY

Noon to 3pm

Entry charge £1 on the door

FREE to CAMRA & EBCU members

3pm to 11pm

Entry charge £6.00 on the door

£2 to CAMRA & EBCU members

NOTE: Glasses are extra and cost £3 each

Undamaged glasses can be returned at any time during the festival

for exchange for a new clean glass or for a full refund of £3.

Visit www.beer-fest.org.uk for more details and follow on twitter @borobeerfest

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