The 22nd Battersea Beer Festival held in the Grand Hall of the Battersea Arts Centre on Lavender Hill, was an event that all hop-mad pub goers have had chiseled in their diaries – since the 21st one ended, at least. The festival, organised by the south-west London branch of the Campaign For Real Ale, brought the best of British real ale, ciders, perries, and foreign beer – from mostly small and medium sized breweries – to the heart of Battersea.
Glasses in hand, kindly sponsored by the Battersea-based Sambrook’s Brewery, intrepid tasters battled the eccentric names and flavour combinations which were all, quite literally, on tap. Was it to be Box Steam’s Tunnel Vision? The dark and fruity 22 by Dancing Duck, or perhaps, Wot’s Occurring by the Northampton-based Great Oakley brewery. Hip Hop Green Bullet suited those with a palate for acidic and rounded bitterness, while those looking for something seriously smoky could sample the German Rauchbier Eiche at a hearty 8% abv. Lager lovers were also catered for; Bohemian by Whistable, self-evidently from Kent, was a refreshing cask conditioned Czech-style lager.
Guarding and stocking the fridges full of bottles were experts from Munich, who sourced some of the Germanic offerings, and were on hand to lend advice and expertise. Lavender Hill and Battersea residents were of course able to have ‘their usual’; Junction, Wandle and the new edition of Powerhouse Porter, all by the Battersea brewery Sambrooks, were pints that were most certainly able to be pulled.
The thronging activity, housed in the grandeur of the Great Hall, created an atmosphere any SW11 inhabitant would be proud to be apart of championing not just local business but also boutique breweries, quite often family ventures. And, let’s not kid ourselves, having a great time in the process!
If you want to feel a part of this community spirit, and sample some, well not-quite spirits, but some excellent tasting brews, then you only have today to get down there. For £4 entry and some reasonably-priced quality ale it would be rude not to – just make sure you have a hearty dinner!
I’ll see you there – mine’s a 99 Red Baboons!
