Beer Viking

The 2010 edition of the Battersea Beer Festival in London (Feb ) was another solid event. A great selection of UK craft beer and reasonable International stand of mainly Belgian and German beers. However, I didn't find a single American beer on site – buy maybe I missed something.

I was down on the landlord and brewer day which was cool as I ran into Downton's head brewer and the landlord of La Gothique (home of the Wandsworth Common Beer Festival held at the end of March – you can pre-book tickets HERE!).

Here's what I sampled on the day:

• Westerham Grasshopper Bitter 3.8% – 15/20, solid session bitter nice hop aroma, smooth (btw – one of favourite brewers in the UK!)
• Kelda Gole 4% – 14/20, nice goledn dry bitter
• Bazens Pacific Biiter – 13/14, drinkable
• Bowman Quiver 4.5% – 14/20 really nice earthy bite and hoppy finish
• Downton IPA 6.8% – only 12/20 needs work, other beer from this brewer much better
• Also, got a few tasty beer from the international stand to take home (pls see photo)

My overall view is that the Battersea rates a 7 out of 10 for beer festivals. For my taste its a bit 'old school' and cramped in terms of space. Not a criticism but just my impression. There's also a lack of woman and the food is mediocre at best. At leasts its easy to get to being only a 10 minute walk from Clapham Junction. I will most likely go back next year…