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Yep, last weekend in August. I fully intend to be there, probably on the Saturday -- it's an easy day trip by train from Dublin.

No details on the competition as yet.

Cool, well we will see what you guys think of my Chocoholic stout later this month. If I get a thumbs up then I can bring some along for the competition <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

My first taste last week was lovely so tomorrow marks two weeks. I will try another bottle and taste alongside a youngs double chocolate stout for comparison.

From memory I think mine tasted more chocolaty but I will need to try them side by side to know for sure.

My Beggars Belief pale ale is fermenting away nicely and will be ready for the competition too and sure by august I will probably have an all grain batch or two as well.

&amp;quot;TheBeerNut&amp;quot;:26wnorx3 wrote: Yep, last weekend in August. I fully intend to be there, probably on the Saturday -- it's an easy day trip by train from Dublin.[/quote:26wnorx3]Its even easier from Belfast <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> See you there! I may even bring a few bottles of Babys first bottle along for the contest

Excellent. I suppose it's getting on for time I checked what the story is with that.

This just in from Frances- the competition is going to be for only one type of beer (a pale ale) which will be bottle conditioned. Entry is free - you just need to provide 6 bottles (330 or 500ml) to the brewery in advance of the occasion. The bottles should have clear white labels with the name of the brew, the ABV, and the name and address of the brewer.
The competition will be between 2-6pm, and you have to be there if you want your beer to be in the running for a prize. While the first prize hasn't been finalised it'll probably be a hamper of hops and malt.
Prices (in stg of course) are as follows for the days:
Friday Night 7.50
Saturday 10.00
Sunday 5.00
with a weekend pass for 18.00. People arriving before 4pm on Sat will also get some free BBQ food.
I got a list of the bands that will be there and there's more than you can shake a stick at - the weather has been booked for bright and sunny but not too humid, so all in all I think they've covered everything off <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

Sounds like a great day out, I would love to make it if at all possible. The weather forecast sounds marvellous too <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->

The HB competition should be a good extra and it would be nice if they could give feedback on the beers whether they are winners or not.

Do you know if by bottle conditioned they mean that it is unfiltered (which I assume would cover all our beers) or naturally carbonated? The reason I ask is I often keg my beers and force carbonate before bottling from the keg. I could always bottle a few before kegging if needed.