Solihull Beer Festival 2008
CAMRA supports sensible drinking so please be aware that the higher figures in % given below equate to more alcoholic content. Some low gravity beers can have more flavour than the higher, we do encourage you to try them. CAMRA Solihull acknowledges CAMRA's Good Beer Guide and brewery websites for beer descriptions.
The LocAle logo signifies that the beer was brewed within 25 miles of the festival. CAMRA's LocAle scheme helps to support the local economy, preserve the environment and give drinkers more choice and diversity.
Session Beers
Bythe, Hamstall Ridware, Staffordshire. Bitter 4%
Amber with a full hoppy aroma and fruity background. Immediate full hoppy tast that develops into an intense hoppy, lingering finish.
Castle Rock, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. Harvest Pale. 3.8%
Citrus, hoppy bitterness with a little sweetness leading to a refreshing zesty finish.
Church End, Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Gravediggers. 3.8%
Dark black and red in colour, with a complex mixture of chocolate and roast flavours. Two different hops, gives the beer a complex feel and smooth finish.
Durham, Bowburn, County Durham. Black Velvet. 4%
Black like a stout. Full bodied using English hops which balance the rich liquorice and roast flavours.
Elland, Elland, West Yorkshire. Bargee. 3.8%
A full flavoured bitter made with four different malts. Fruity and hoppy with a bitter edge in the finish.
Kinver, Kinver, Staffordshire. Light Railway. 3.8%
All drunk on Friday night!
Malvern Hills, Malvern, Worcestershire. Feelgood. 3.8%
A golden beer with a hoppy aroma.
O'Hanlon's, Wimple, Devon. Yellow Hammer. 4%
First beer to be finished on Friday night!
Triple fff, Alton, Hampshire. Alton's Pride. 3.8%
All drunk on Friday night!
Best Bitters
Bridestones, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. Pennine Gold 4.3%
Pale single hopped bitter. Styrian Goldings give a light citrus taste.
Cannon Royall, Uphampton, Worcestershire. Arrowhead Extra. 4.3%
An intense, aromatic hop aroma. There is some sweetness on the palate. The finish is long and bitter.
Discovery, Meriden, West Midlands. Nobel's Pride. 4.3%
A classic pale ale. Triple hopped using all English hops.
Kelham Island, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Easy Rider. 4.3%
A pale, straw-coloured beer with a sweetish favour and delicate hints of citrus fruits. A beer with hints of flavour rather than full-bodied.
Oakham, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Bishops Farewell. 4.6%
All drunk on Friday night!
Ossett, Ossett, West Yorkshire. Turning Leaves 4.5%
A golden full bodied ale, both mellow and slightly sweet. A hint of spice and blackcurrant may be detected.
Phoenix, Heywood, Greater Manchester. West Coast IPA 4.6%
Classic IPA. Stunningly hoppy.
Pictish, Rochdale, Lancashire. Liberty 4.6%
Straw coloured citrusy bitter. Single hopped with the American variety, Liberty.
Prospect, Wigan, Lancashire. Gold Rush 4.3%
A pale bitter, hopped with Nugget and Cascade hops which provide the aroma.
Tunnel, Ansley, Warwickshire. Bobby's Brew. 4.2%
Brewed for our sponsors The Solihull Observer to celebrate their 20th Anniversary 1988-2008. Slightly sweet and citrusy, light and refreshing with a gentle hop finish.
Strong Beers / Old Ales
Acorn, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Old Moor Porter. 4.4%
Full bodied, rich porter with hints of liquorice. Initial bitterness becomes a smooth, mellow finish.
Acorn, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Willamette IPA. 5%
A hoppy, dry and citrus fruit and bitter flavour that leads to a crisp, citrus hoppy finish.
Batemans, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire. XXXB. 4.8%
Brilliant blend of malt, hops and fruit with a bitter bite. A classic malty russet brown beer.
Bob's, Ossett, West Yorkshire. Chardonnayle. 5.1%
Complex, stylish strong pale ale with hints of lemongrass and fruits, with Willamette hops for aroma.
Discovery, Meriden, West Midlands. Great Scott. 4.8%
A one off special for the festival. Dark, sweetish and strong.
Griffin, Shustoke, Warwickshire. Black Magic Woman 4.7%
All drunk on Friday night!
Haviestoun, Clackmannanshire, Alva, Scotland. Schiehallion. 4.8%
A cask lager. Has a malty bitter taste with a floral hoppiness and bitter finish.
Salamander, Bradford, West Yorkshire. Stout. 4.5%
Rich roast malts dominate the smooth coffee and chocolate flavour. Nicely balanced. A dry, roast, bitter finish develops over time.
Wye Valley, Stoke Lacy, Herefordshire. Dorothy Goodbody Wholesome Stout. 4.6%
Voted CAMRA Champion Bottle-conditioned Beer of Britain, 2008, so try the cask version here. Smooth with a bitter edge to its roast flavours. The finish combines roast grain and malt.
To be treated with caution!
Exmoor, Wiveliscombe, Somerset. Beast. 6.6%
A dark beer brewed with chocolate and crystal malts.
Thornbridge, Bakewell, Derbyshire. Jaipur. 5.9%
Well balanced with a fine blend of citrus and other fruit flavours, mixed with a slight sweetness and a lingering bitter finish.
Cider and Perry
Rich's, Highbridge, Somerset. Medium Cider. 6%
Powerful stuff... another one to treat with caution.
Rich's, Highbridge, Somerset. Dry Cider. 6%
Take care with this one as well!
Heck's, Street, Somerset. Perry. 6.5%
Makers of Perry since 1840. This is indeed more of the powerful stuff... respect it!
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