Another Trade Show

Like buses, they all come more or less at once. Hard on the heels of Northern Bar was the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) big annual thrash held in the Liverpool Exhibition Centre.

SIBA BeerX 26 is a massive trade show with a beer competition, many bars featuring independent brewers from the whole country, exhibitors from the trade, industry awards, a series of talks on various beery subjects, debates, seminars and much more.  SIBA describe it as "The UK's largest exhibition of brewing products and services, and a hub for brewing, education and business advice. A must-attend for the brewing industry." ​

The setting on the Mersey waterfront, in a modern purpose built exhibition centre is hard to beat, and the space is big enough to be comfortable in.  It is in a perfect spot when the sun shine, and on what was a lovely sunny spring day the views across the shimmering river to the 'Birkenhead Navy', made everything  pleasant and worth the early start.

I wasn’t there just to drink beer - I was judging in the beer competition. I’ve judged for SIBA before and, despite filling in a form about experience and preferences, the final allocations always feel a bit like a lottery. Actually, I'm not really sure the information you give beforehand is used to its full. Eager to see what we’d been assigned, my fellow judges and I registered: I and one friend had two panels each, while the other friend, to his surprise, had three plus the final. With that settled, we had an hour to wander, catch up with people and take stock. The bar setup was excellent - keg and cask beers were clearly displayed and attractively arranged. As a former Beer Festival Organiser, my critical eye couldn't fault it all. That done, we bought beer vouchers for later and reported for duty.

I judged American Keg Pale Ales which were, frankly, a bit of a mixed bag. We reported one "ringer" a New Zealand hopped wheat beer - dunno what happened to that. My second panel was porters and stouts including nitro. Way better, but then again it is easier to hide faults in a dark beer - and we caught out a couple.  Some crackers though which was a bonus.

We finished by drinking a lot of beer with people we knew. That's the beauty of these gigs, you always meet up with friends and acquaintances. It was good to see Ed Wray - the Beerfather - and I had a quick chat with Laura Hadland.  My mate Matt Curtis was there and lots from the North West beer community from brewers, to judges and all sorts in between.

The value of it all?  Well, it was a lot of fun, and I'm happy to get as much fun in as possible before I peg it. At my age, you don't forget that time flies and time spent with good beer and good people is time spent well.

The Birkenhead Navy, in case you wondered is the various Navy and Fleet Auxiliary ships in the  Cammell Laird shipyard for various renovations and repair. 

The Higsons pump clip was for sentimental purpose only. It tasted nothing like my beloved original. 

I found out today that overall champion cask beer was Almasty Brewery from Newcastle with "Believe" a New England style IPA.  Champion Keg was "Don't Make Me Run", an imperial stout from Lakes Brew in Kendal. Sadly, I don't think that was on my judging panel.

No prizes for guessing the two other guys in the photo, but do tell anyway. 

 

Contrasting Beery Things

It scarcely seems like a year since I last attended the Northern Bar Show, which I reported on here. Reflecting on that, one thing for sure is at my age, that while often the hours drag, the years fly by all too quickly.  I went with my old pal Graham. Manchester Central exhibition centre, the venue of this gig is where we organised the (very successful) festivals. Happy days and a great talking point when chatting to exhibitors.

This year we noted that more of the hall was being used and that it all seemed a lot more spacious which, given the hordes that attend, is a very good thing indeed.  Last year I adopted a theme, but this time we just wandered aimlessly, chatting to this one and that one.  There were a few highlights of course. You meet Manchester beery types and publicans in this very different environment and get a chance to talk to others from further afield.  I was pleased to see JW Lees had their usual bar, though I didn't know a single person behind it. Hmm.  

I also really enjoyed chatting to the guys at the Harviestoun Stand - hello Andrew - as I know the area they are based in pretty well. The beer of the day was sampled there. Ochil Lager is 4% and very decent, which isn't so easy to do at that strength. I recommend it. The Northern Ireland stand was another highlight and not just for the free Tayto crisps. Great company there and something really needs to be done about the licensing situation in NI, which seems like a right racket and is obviously holding back the development of the beer scene there.

We were given copious free samples of this and that, gifted the odd can and bottle of beer and offered snacks various, most of which we declined though I did take a mini chocolate egg as suitable sustenance for later. Who was that from? Dunno. Everyone was very pleasant, it was all well-organised and enjoyable day, rounded off by unnecessary beers in Cafe Beermoth, where, admittedly a touch worse for wear, we bumped into beer writer and all round good egg, Matt Curtis. This rounded the day off nicely, with a discussion about his new book and a reminder of the launch party, which was already in my diary. Slightly laden down with swag, an Uber home was definitely a sound investment.

By contrast, last night I presented the CAMRA Rochdale, Oldham and Bury Pub of the Year to the Fox and Pine in Oldham. Few things in CAMRA business give me more pleasure than presenting awards to publicans.  The Fox is a worthy winner given the very stiff competition we are fortunate to have in our Branch area. One thing to note is that despite CAMRA's so-called decline, everyone who wins an award is rightly proud as punch. It matters to them. It is recognition of effort. Why not call in to the Fox and check it out for yourself?

On a pissing wet night, E came along on the strict understanding that we left on the last 415 at 21.59.  I'm proud and humble to say, despite the very agreeable company and top class beer, I had my raincoat on at the required time. Brownie points are always useful, though rarely acquired in my case.

I also spent time editing More Beer Magazine in a bit of a hurry, as I found the proof in my spam box, along with many others which aren't spam either. No idea how that has happened, but I bet I was at fault somehow.

Tonight I usually go to the Rose of Lancaster, but as they are all preoccupied with Cheltenham Races there, I think maybe the Ring O' Bells. Lees beers either way!