The beer festival weather lore held sway and we had a very pleasant walk along the Thames from Surbiton station into Kingston. Indeed many think the walk is the main reason TM enjoys this beer festival so much.
As the beer hall seating had already been taken up by early attendees, we again adjourned to the cooler and more comfortable main bar.
First up had to be the beer from Clark’s but unfortunately this had not cleared and would not be available until much later, if at all. No matter, there were plenty of other nice beers to choose from including a fair sprinkling of lovely Milds.
None of the beers tried particularly stood out apart from the Newby Wyke Kingston Topaz, which was absolute crap.
The afternoon moved on with our table being visited by many guests, the frequency of visits increasing when KOC’s Amazonian friends, Violet and Suzy arrived. Quentin was particularly taken by Mengo’s new members.
After an enjoyable few hours we set off for Kingston station and home.
PV’s choice
| Brewery | Beer | % |
| Elgood’s | Black Dog Mild | 3.6 |
| Ilkley | Black | 3.7 |
| Castle Rock | Black Gold | 3.8 |
| Naylor’s | Pinnacle Mild | 3.4 |
| Tring | Fanny Ebbs | 3.9 |
| Marble | Pint | 3.9 |
| Teignworthy | Neap Tide | 3.8 |
| Otley | Dark O | 4.1 |
| Newby Wyke | Kingston Topaz | 4.2 |
| Pilgrim | Vest Alia | 4.3 |
| Twickenham | Summer Gold | 4.1 |
| Skinner’s | Pint of Two Halves | 4.6 |
| All Gates | Yankee Pale Ale | 5.0 |
PC’s choice
| Brewery | Beer | % |
| Cambridge | Boathouse Bitter | 3.7 |
| Ilkley | Black | 3.7 |
| Marble | Pint | 3.9 |
| Jollyboat | Freebooter | 4.0 |
| Newby Wyke | Kingston Topaz | 4.2 |
| Blue Monkey | 99 Red Baboons | 4.2 |
| Brewster’s | Decadence | 4.4 |
| Redscar | Rocks | 4.5 |
| Harveys | Armada | 4.5 |
| Grafton | Lady Mary | 5.0 |
Attended by:-
PV, ROC, KOC, TM, RN and PC