There are other attractions at this year’s GBBF apart from the beer, cider and perry.
BREWER FOR A DAY WITH THE FIVE POINTS BREWING COMPANY!
Fancy a day’s brewing with an award winning London brewery? At the Thursday night auction at the Great British Beer Festival, there will be a unique chance to win Brewer for a Day, being hosted this year by the esteemed Five Points Brewery in Hackney. It all began in 2013 with Ed Mason and Greg Hobbs (ex East London Brewing Co) brewing in a railway arch. Since then, the brewery has grown significantly from its original ten barrel kit and has moved south down Mare Street to accommodate an expansion. There are shiny new tanks and a tap room, although it is still alongside the railway! The brewery’s reputation for quality has also grown, this being recognised with their winning the silver medal in the Golden Ale category of CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition in 2019, the last time that it was held. The lucky winner and a friend will spend the day with Greg (now the brewing director) and head brewer Max Descloux and you will have the chance to assist with the day’s brew, from mashing in to mash-tun cleaning. It’s set to be a great day with one of the UK’s best new breweries. In addition, you will depart with a selection of Five Points’ favourite beers to enjoy at home. To get a taste of their beers, pop along to Five Points own pub, the Pembury Tavern, not far from Hackney Central Station (E8 1JH). Don’t forget to try their Best, a traditional bitter brewed using just British Goldings hops. The date of the brewing day is agreed between the winning bidder and the brewery. If you can’t get to the Great British Beer Festival for the auction, postal bids are accepted; contact Bill Austin (07789 900411) or at baustin1951@btinternet.com.
DO YOU LIKE BEER AND RUGBY?
CAMRA is teaming up with MSG Tours for the ultimate rugby prize! One lucky visitor to the Great British Beer Festival will win £3,000 worth of sports travel vouchers that can be used towards rugby travel packages including the Six Nations, Dubai 7s or official travel packages to the Rugby World Cup France in 2023. The package includes hotels, flights, transfers and inclusions. All you have to do to play is find the competition codes at the festival, scan the QR and this will take you to the on-line form from which you can enter the lucky prize draw! CAMRA members and new joiners will receive an extra free entry into the prize draw if they provide their membership number. Terms and conditions are available on the entry form.
THE DISCOVERY BAR
The Discovery Bar returns for 2022. It has a relaxed and open atmosphere where no question is stupid and everyone is welcome. It is pro-Cask but fundamentally not denigrating other forms of dispense. There will be an inter-active display of brewing ingredients along with informal, stand-up tastings, some of which will be led by brewers or producers. The tastings programme is available here.
HAT DAY
Hat Day returns on the Thursday. Come along in your jazziest hat and win not only the respect of all your friends but also, perhaps, an actual prize too!
SATURDAY CLOSING TIME
There was a mistake in the last edition of London Drinker. On the Saturday, the Festival closes at 7pm (not 9pm).
PAYMENTS
The festival is primarily set up to accept payment by debit or credit card. We know however that this does not suit everyone’s needs, so it will be possible for beer cards (strike-through tokens) to be purchased for cash. Tickets can also be purchased with cash on the door. These will be the standard admission packages at £22 for members or £24 for non-members.