Battersea Beer Festival

The twenty-first Battersea Beer Festival was held last week, and as the stars had aligned to put me in London for work, I decided to wander along to check it out. The aptly named Grand Hall of Battersea Arts Centre hosted the event, which even on a random Thursday afternoon was remarkably well attended. Coming down from Scotland, the lineup was full of breweries that had never crossed my path before – so pretty much everything I sampled was going to be new. After finding a free seat by one of the side doors, it was time to get into the action.

1. Studland Bay Wrecked (4.5%)
Isle of Purbeck Brewery, Dorset
The name of this beer caught my eye, and as I knew nothing about the producer, it was first into my pint glass. The Isle of Purbeck brewery are a micro based at the historic Bankes Arms in Dorset, which dates back to 1549. Overlooking Studland Bay just north of Swanage, the pub must have witnessed plenty of shipwrecks over the years, and the name of their amber ale reflects this. It came almost totally flat, and poured a brownish red colour. Sweet, slightly toffee aromas competed with some malt and general bitterness. Caramel dominated on the palate with a thin middle, leading to a bitter aftertaste. A nice enough beer, but one that maybe needed a bit more oomph to set it off.

2. Cascade Pale Ale (4.8%)
Saltaire Brewery, West Yorkshire
I have heard of Shipley’s Saltaire Brewery – although only through watching the Oz Clarke and Hugh Dennis programme on BBC2. Being something of the hop fan a beer called Cascade Pale Ale just shouted at me to be sampled, so it was my second of the afternoon. I’m extremely glad it was, as it was fantastic. Golden yellow with really nice classic Cascade aromas – it was pretty big on the citrus for a sub 5% beer. Smooth and sweet, lovely orange citrus fruit on the palate, a very impressive beer indeed.

3. Natterjack (4.3%)
Southport Brewery, Lancashire
Being a proud Lancastrian, beers from the red rose county always draw me towards them, and one named after one of our rarest amphibians was the next beer I went for. The brewery started in 2004 in the seaside town of Southport – about 20miles from where I was born. The sandy dunes of the Central Lancashire riviera provide plenty of habitat for toads, and Natterjack is a slightly thin but eminently drinkable bitter. The tasting notes in the programme said ‘fruit notes and hint of coffee’ – there was a bitter astringency at the end, but that was about it.

4. Anastasia’s Exile Stout (5.0%)
Ascot Ales, Surrey
On to darker things, with a couple of stouts to finish. Ascot is within ‘LocAle’ distance of Battersea according to the programme guide – thirty miles or so as the crow flies. Their Exile Stout began as a seasonal, but has been fitted in to their regular lineup due to it’s popularity. I can see why, as it was pretty interesting. Dark, roasty aromas carried into the taste, which finished on bitter coffee and a touch of ash at the end.

5. Sargeant Pepper’s Stout (5.5%)
Spire Brewery, Derbyshire
The highlight of BeerCast #38 back in August 2009 was the black and green peppercorn infused Route des Épices from exclamation-happy Quebec brewpub Dieu du Ciel! It’s been a while, but finding another pepper beer at the Battersea festival was something of a surprise. Hailing from Chesterfield rather than Montreal, Spire add freshly ground black pepper to a Maris Otter and Chocolate malt stout. It’s not quite as thick and creamy as the Canadian, but the peppery kick to the finish is fantastic, it really tingles the back of the throat. A great way to end the festival.