TOPIC:

I have to say I was very impressed with the Galway hooker too. Definately the best beer at the festival. Hilden seem to have left a couple of casks behind - the 'well was selling hilden ale on cask last weekend.

I was dissapointed that the Biddy Early brewery didn't show up (again), I called there last weekend for a pint and a case of red biddy on the way back from a break in the Burren. They really make some great beer.

It is a shame they didn't make it - Red Biddy is a lovely beer.

Guys! I think that this it is a great idea for the site to have awards like these. I know there are plans to improve and expand on this for next year. Will the awards pertain only to the Franciscan Well festival? And I think we should really be thinking of a group of us heading up to Belfast for the beer Festival next November.

Hey John,

Yes, we are making plans to regularise it a bit more. We have a few more details to work out before we put it forward, but the main thing is that it will be fun for members, and hopefully good for the brewers.

If a group from ICB go to Belfast it'd be great. While there'll be no awards given, we do need an article about it at the very least! Did I hear you volunteer? <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) -->

Problem here. I just got a mail from Frances of the Hilden Brewery and it seems the Belfast beer festival may not be happening this year. Apparently the venue is closed fro refurbishment. I'm going to send CAMRA NI a mail an ask them about this.

Séan

Well, as a plan B, the Hilden brewery hold their own festival, usually at the end of the summer. If people have their hearts set on a trip to the north.