Adnams Old Ale 4.1%, a dark winter warmer, in Fernandes Brewery Tap. The Hop Studio Avenoir 6.0%, a rich oatmeal stout, in the Six Chimneys. Acorn Black Oak 4.5%, a dark ale, in the Black Rock. Titanic Plum Porter 4.9% in the Old Printworks. Neepsend Rollabout Stout 5.0% in Harrys Bar. Timothy Taylors Ram Tam 4.3%, a dark winter warmer and my favourite TT brew, in Henry Boons.
The Red Lion Caledonian Port of Leith 5.0%, a copper coloured IPA with malt and caramel flavours. IPA's are not generally to my taste, but this one was very nice. Exmoor Exile Whakatu 4.2%, an amber ale brewed with New Zealand hops. Hints of spice, lime and vanilla. Very enjoyable indeed. Saltaire Onyx 3.8%, a black IPA, a little light on flavour for my taste. Oakham Attila 7.5%, the brew with the highest ABV of this Festival. This golden coloured strong ale is malty and has citrus and berry flavours. Very nice!
The Gatehouse Green Beacon 3 Bolt 4.5%, a pale ale brewed at Wadworth Brewery by Australian brewer Johann van der Walt. Citrus and mango flavours. My first International brew of this festival. Tring American Brown 4.5%, British malt and American hops combine to create a delicious nut brown ale. One I was looking forward to and it didn't disappoint. My favourite so far.
The Rawson Spring, Hillsborough Grapes & Gratification Old World New England IPA 5.0%, a golden beer brewed at Banks's Brewery by Cretan Kjetil Jikiun (International brew number two). Hydes Provenance California Red Ale 5.2%, a ruby coloured strong ale with malt, toffee and fruit flavours. Very nice. Adnams Gunhill 4.0%, another ruby ale which is part dark mild and part brown ale. Toffee and Chocolate flavours. Always enjoyable. Sambrook's Flat White Stout 4.5%, a dark russet brown coloured stout. Coffee, milk and nuts dominate the flavour. Very enjoyable.
The Old Waterworks Coach House Elderflower 4.1%, a speciality ale, blond in colour. Too much grapefruit for my taste. Shepherd Neame Early Bird 4.3%, a golden best bitter with a hint of biscuit but again, too much grapefruit for me.
The Benjamin Huntsman Black Sheep Monty Python's Flying Circus 4.5%, a spicy red coloured IPA. Salopian Bertza 5.5%, a delicious stout with chocolate and vanilla flavours. Winner!
Also sampled the Broadoak Moonshine Cider 7.5% in the Bankers Draft.
The Cuthbert Brodrick Mordue Sterling 4.5%, a cask lager. Holden Irish Red Rye 4.8%, an Irish Red ale with malt and rye flavours.
The Hedley Verity Strange Fellows Talisman 4.0%, a Canadian golden ale brewed by Iain Hill at Caledonian Brewery (International brew). Foglie D'Erba Hot Night in the Village 5.0%, a festival return for this Italian porter brewed at Shepherd Neame Brewery by Gino Perissutti (International brew). Very nice.
Stick or Twist Bru Red Ale 4.2%, a Republic of Ireland red ale flavoured with Caramel. Also very nice.
Beckett's Bank Sixpoint Lo-Res 4.5%, brewed at Adnams Brewery by US brewers Keir Hamilton and Eric Bachli, this is a citrus-laden golden ale (International brew).
21 of 30 real ales sampled including all 5 international brews.
The Postern Gate St Peters Twisted Edge 4.3%, a golden coloured lemon flavoured pale ale. Titanic Nine Tenths Below 5.9%, a citrus flavoured strong ale. Harviestoun Old Engine Oil 4.5%, a porter with just a hint of chocolate. Elgood's Warrior 5.5%, a chestnut coloured strong ale. Taste-wise, blander than expected.