Dorchester Beer Festival

One of our favourite trips of the year is on the first Saturday of February as its the time when many of our members of the branch catch the train to Dorchester and make our way to the Corn exchange in the High St, not only to sample the fifty or so beers and ciders that are on offer, but its nice to see our friends from the West Dorset branch.

This is a well established festival that started in 1988, and run not only by West Dorset CAMRA but by the local branch of the Round Table. Many of the beers are sponsored by local companies and businesses so as well as making sure everyone is enjoying themselves they raise a lot of money for local charities. The main sponsor for the forth year running is Dorset Brewing Company (formerly Quay brewery), a superb (newish) brewery who produce some fine beers, at least four beers of which were on offer.

Most of us arrived not long after opening time and once you open the programme there is a serious decision to make, which of these beers do I try first? There are loads to try and some I've never heard of like Blue Moor (George Wright, Liverpool), Brass Knocker (Matthews, Somerset), Pig Brook (North Cotswolds, Warwicks) and Glaslyn Ale (Purple Moose, Wales) to name but a few. There were also some firm favourites from beer festivals, a few of which have graced our local bars, this makes our choice even more difficult. The staff work very hard to keep all our thirsts in check (pictured is Richard, an ever smiling presence behind their bar)

Teresa, suffering from having just arrived after a thirteen hour flight from Johannesburg tried to play safe; she failed! Robin meanwhile hit the cider and the day went downhill for him from there. But we all had several pints and had a fantastic day (Cheers West Dorset!!). After much sampling, much talking and a lot of fun we finally had to leave (Boo Hoo). What shall we do now some fool asked? Well Tom Brown's (Goldfinch brewery brew pub) and the Blue Raddle (West Dorset CAMRA pub of the year) are open, and they are only about 100 yds from the festival (Hooray). There is a god. So off we went!!

Look out for Dorchester in Whats Brewing or EDs Pint, or even on the BBC, usually its early February, and join us for a great day out. Andy Brown