When we arrive at St Aldhelm's Church Hall it is Wednesday, there is a pile of scaffolding and around a hundred barrels sat in the car park. Our challenge is to turn an empty hall into a festival in about 48 hours, give or take a tasting session or two!!! So scaffolding goes up, beers are gently positioned and, depending on the weather, we try to ensure they stay cool. We then tap and spile them and wait!
After a few tasters (just to make sure you understand), it is 11.30am on Friday and we throw the doors open to a thirsty public.
Bands kept us all going for all but the Friday lunchtime (quiet) session!
Our experienced and professional volunteers helped our 1500 customers drink a staggering (probably) 5,848 pints. That means they served an average of 376 pints per hour,or 6 pints per minute. However as most festival goers prefer the half to the pint, so they can taste a greater range of ales, this is actually 12 halves per minute (one every five seconds). Thirsty Work!!Our customers are also asked to vote on who should win the coveted Beer Of The Festival award. The winner this year was Garton's Chocolate Frog, an 8% ale brewed in a Victorian style to strict specifications. Runner up is our favourite 'Beer!' from Milk Street Brewery (as sold in The Brewhouse on Poole's High Street). Third place was another old favourite, Hopback Summer Lightning. However all the beers were great, and out of the range of 89 ales, 57 different ales received votes - so no-one really lost out. 
By the end of it we were all shattered but happy. Even Branch mascot Stephen the Penguin was feeling a little worse for wear and fell asleep while we finished off the last few beers.
No comments:
Post a Comment