Thursday, July 12, 2012

Beer Fest Cancelled....

I'm afraid that I have some very bad news to tell the people of Tonbridge. An event that I've been looking forward to all summer has had to be cancelled due to the unseasonal, abominable weather we've been enduring. That's the latest news I have anyway. The torrential rain of the last few days had caused the organisers a real headache and, with much deliberation, they've had to cancel the SIBA Beer Festival which was to be held in a large marquee at the back of the rugby club. My taste buds were preparing themselves but now I'm going to have to make do with a couple of bottles at home or a pint down the P&J! I really feel for the organising team who must have put weeks of hard work into the festival but, with 18 inches of dirty water lapping around your feet it might well have put off a few visitors. Mind you, I'd have still gone even if I'd have had to swim half a mile to get there. Just for one sniff of that Hopdeamon Skrimshander! We'll just have to make up for it next year I guess. If they find a alternative venue which, I have to say, is looking extremely unlikely at this late stage, then of course Tonbridge Blog will try to bring the news to you. In the meantime there'll be lots of unhappy organisers and real ale lovers crying into their beer this weekend....

2 comments:

Paul Bailey said...

A real shame for all concerned. Was really looking forward to this year's event; especially after missing it last year!

Paul Bailey said...

All is not lost. Have just heard, via West Kent CAMRA, that while the main festival and the SIBA SE Competition have been cancelled there will be a mini fest in TJ's club house with a very limited range of beers on Friday from 5pm and Saturday from 12pm.

With limited facilities they are running a very small festival from the club bar. Should be 4 ales on handpump at any time plus several others in 4 pint jugs (personal service from the cellar). There will be a good variety of beers available but obviously not all at the same time (currently have 16 casks settling in the cellar). Don'y know whether Hopdeamon Skrimshander is amongst them TB, but at least something has been salvaged from the event.