Bands, Beers and Breweries

Billed as South Bristol's biggest beer festival of 2013, last weekend saw The Tobacco Factory play host to this year's Factoberfest. On offer were around 60 different craft beers with a token splash of cider thrown in for good measure (it is Bristol after all). On top of that add an almost constantly rotating line up of swing-a-billy, country, honky tonk and bluegrass with a sprinkling of BBQ (an amazing jerk chicken, banana ketchup, hot sauce and coleslaw went down very well) to create a great chilled out and cheery vibe.

Bands entertaining the main beer tent

Obviously the key to this all was the beer and at £10 for 7 half pint samples we were on to a winner. Never has choosing a beer at the bar been such an exploration. With a basic menu at the bar to help you distinguish between kegs and casks, pales, porters and stouts and as importantly, in my mind, provenance. This was an amazing showcase of independence, a glorious west country salute to the successes of craft beer breweries in our corner of the UK.

Yes, that is an ale drinking cowboy

The sampling started out well but quickly got a little hazey as the afternoon progressed. Here is my best attempt st the running order which I diligently kept note of on my phone:

1 - Bristol Beer Factory Independence. A pale ale with distinctive hoppy notes and a crisp finish. Easy to drink and great for outdoor consumption.

2 - Tiny Rebel Full Nelson. Great name and of Maori origins. Really strong flavours particularly the deep malt taste. A grown ups ale for sure, Fosters drinkers beware, this is a Chris Benoit to your Jerry the King.

3 - Black Pearl. Nothing to do with pirates, over rated actors or rum. This dark and chocolately beer was reminiscent of the Tokyo Beer sampled in an earlier post from the Brew Dog. A very nice tipple, imagine Guiness with loads more flavour and a bit of sweetness.

4 - Black Yeti. I was advised this is a very rare beer. Another dark and moody stout this one a lot more bitter than the Black Pearl. Went down very well with the aforementioned Jerk chicken.

5 - Mill Whites Cider. A cloudy, still cider with a pleasant amount of sweetness that disguised the 7.5% abv. Dangerously easy drinking.

6 - Orchard Pig Explorer. Of the two Orchard Pig offerings this was the medium version. Been a big fan of this producer for a while now and this did not disappoint. Crisps and light as ever, if you currently enjoy something like a Thatchers Gold or Ashton Press this is the next level from there.

7 - West Wales IPA. My heritage wouldn't let me miss this one out. An IPA over 6% is always going to turn heads but the strength was not just in alcohol volume but also in flavour. Almost fruity with loads of hops, one of the best IPA's I have tasted.

So that is what £10 bought me, a full listing of Beers and Breweries is attached below. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping the art of brewing great tasting beer alive. The UK is famous for its ale and the days of it being an old mans drink to sip at at the bar are gone. 10 years ago cider made a come back through the high profile and high expense marketing of Magners et al and the knock on effect has lead to a wave of smaller companies finally getting some deserved recognition. Now it is REAL beers turn. With people like Bristol Beer Factory, Brew Dog, Buttcombe, Bath Ales and Beerd we could have a real revival of a Great British product. Get behind your local breweries and get down the pub, there is a plethora of variety out there!