A Day At Worcester Beer Festival 2005

Saturday 13^th August 2005 saw the fifth trip I had organised since becoming Social Secretary of Leicester CAMRA. This time we used Martin Southam's preserved single decker bus for a trip to the seventh Worcester Beer Festival held at the racecourse.

I was disappointed, as only 18 people booked on the trip and the branch incurred a loss. However, by the time we arrived back in Leicester, nobody had any complaints.

Due to a minor problem with the bus, we left Leicester late and arrived into Worcester in a downpour. It was evident that the festival had had a successful two days by the amount of beer that had been consumed. However, I managed to sample Bellhaven Edinburgh Pale Ale 3.4%, Donnington XXX 4.4%, Mayfields Pioneer 3.9%, Severn Vale Vale Ale 4.2% and Ramsbury Gold 4.5% all of which were in superb condition.

I was starving, so drinking partner, Mr Skinner, and I visited the nearby Wetherspoons for something to eat where we also sampled the Wyre Piddle, Piddle in the Post 5.2%. How it got its name I dread to think!    

En-route to the Dragon Pub we were told that the nearby Saracens Head had a new Marstons brew Ashes Ale 4.1% so it was duly sampled.

We finally arrived at the Dragon where most of the party had congregated. There I recall sampling Malvern Hills Red Earl 3.7%. The beer range seemed to be changing by the minute which pleased certain members of the party with Windsor Castle Solar Bear 4.0% and Malvern Hills Preissnitz Plzen 4.3% coming on.

We finally left Worcester around 5.45pm for a beer stop at the Weatheroak brewpub in Weatheroak, but personally I can’t remember what I sampled. I can recall the cheese and onion cobs were superb!

We finally arrived back in Leicester at 9.15pm. It is the only trip I have run where I came back with more people than I went with.

Keith Satterly. 

This page last updated: April 15, 2011

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