The last flames of the ‘Indian Summer’ meant that, for a change, the weather did not effect the enjoyment of the festival and it was relatively warm sitting in the beer tent.
PV arrived early and enjoyed his chat with Phil in the Tent before business picked up. All the beers were sourced via the Northumberland Brewery and delivered in one job lot by the brewer on the Monday. It made the set up in the tent very easy for a change.
Next arrivals were Jem and Satan, already on their second beer festival of the day. Having started at the Godalming Weatherspoon’s, The Star was to be followed by two further festivals nearer home. With the expected high alcohol consumption even they forsook their pushbikes in favour of public transport and caught the bus.
A four strong contingent of Mengo arrived shortly after two o’clock and suddenly the ‘bollock’ level increased dramatically. This cheered Phil up no end as he was a connoisseur of the genre.
Despite the festival being held at the end of October, the North East brewers delivered a number of light golden beers more normally associated with summer, including a Hophead clone from Consett Ale Works, misleading called Cast Iron. PC soon found the more autumnal ales available and enjoyed the Wylam Northern Kite so much he had two. But perhaps the most enjoyed beer was the Northumberland Bucking Fastard. Enough said.
PV’s choice was:-
| Brewery | Beer | % |
| Captain Cook | Slipway | 4.2 |
| Consett Ale Works | Cast Iron | 4.1 |
| Durham | County | 4.4 |
| Hadrian & Border | Tyneside Blonde | 3.9 |
| Hadrian & Border | Reiver’s IPA | 4.4 |
| Hexhamshire | Devils Water | 4.1 |
| High House | Nel’s Best | 4.2 |
| Hill Island | George Stephenson’s Sundial | 3.9 |
| Jarrow | Westoe IPA | 4.6 |
| Northumberland | Bucking Fastard | 4.0 |
| Wylam | Summer Magic | 4.2 |
PC’s choice (in order of trying) was:-
| Brewery | Beer | % |
| Hill Island | Opal Fruity Ale | 3.9 |
| Northumberland | Bucking Fastard | 4.0 |
| Mordue | All Hallows Ale | 4.4 |
| Consett Ale Works | Red Dust | 4.5 |
| High House | Nel’s Best | 4.2 |
| Durham | County | 4.4 |
| Wylam | Northern Kite | 4.5 |
| Jarrow | Westoe IPA | 4.6 |
Attended by:-
PV, ROC, KOC, TM & PC with Jem and Satan