TOPIC:

Looks like it was a great day. I am so jealous of you all.

Heya, first time poster/long time drinker. I was in the Well for the fest and I must say, the special Purgatory was really great, really drinkable. My preference is for beer I can drink all night, and it's usually an ale. I'm a big Rebel Red fan but never really got into the Purgatory. I'll try the standard brew this weekend to see how it compares to the cask. Ger Cork provided me with a sampler of the smokey stout and Imperial ale; like most drinks, I reckon a second pint is needed to get over the sudden change in taste from your last beer, but there were rumours that the Purgatory was running out so I drank as much of it as I could. The Headless Dog was very good too, but the Rebel Red's got me fond of sharper ales so I didn't like it as much as I did last year.

Anyway, congratulations to Peter and the Purgatory. Hope they do it again.

I'm back from the internet free wilderness of Mayo. Driving from Cork to Mayo the morning after a beer festival is not something I can recommend.

However, the festival was excellent, and cask purgatory was a deserved winner (in my own voting a rating Driud's and Purgatory the same, and let the other votes decide between them)

The cask Hooker Porter was a different beer compared to the keg and far more enjoyable.

Can't wait for next year when hopefully there will be even more beer and voters.

TBN - I had not copepd about the headless dog but met a few guys (Rob and co!) on Sunday who were drinking it - I am a slow learner!!!!

RJob - welcome to the site. We migth see yo at one of our regular meets in the Well or Bierhaus.

Also, not meaning to be full of self-praise etc. I do think the spirit in which our awards were accepted and the profile they had on Sunday did the overall profile of ICB no harm at all.

Lastly for now the idea of judging over two days - I think we should leave that debate to next year but at the mo I think the one day judging is best and as Noby says I think our voting format worked out very well overall.

&amp;quot;Ger Cork&amp;quot;:1xw19nb5 wrote: I had not copepd about the headless dog but met a few guys (Rob and co!) on Sunday who were drinking it - I am a slow learner!!!![/quote:1xw19nb5]I hadn't noticed either. The information leaked out through a competing brewer <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> Trust no-one...

&amp;quot;Ger Cork&amp;quot;:1xw19nb5 wrote: I do think the spirit in which our awards were accepted and the profile they had on Sunday did the overall profile of ICB no harm at all.

Lastly for now the idea of judging over two days - I think we should leave that debate to next year but at the mo I think the one day judging is best and as Noby says I think our voting format worked out very well overall.[/quote:1xw19nb5]Yes, I was very pleased that a) people voted, and b) winners appreciated the awards.

That said, and this is probably a matter for another day, I think the main ICB awards should allow for participation by all members, rather than just those who are lucky enough to be attending a particular one.

I'd be in favour of individual awards for individual festivals -- one each, probably -- but again there'd need to be rules for that to stop us giving out awards at every pub that decides to hold an event.

I'd like to thank all of you who came and participated in the festival. Your enthusiasm and the awards can only promote the cause. Thanks again. Aidan. They look great also.