(belatedly) Warwick Beer Festival 20th July

            Apologies for the delay in reviewing this event. True to say there were a few logistical problems in the intervening weeks. Still:better late than never,eh?    
        One week before the all consuming excitement of the annual Warwick Folk Festival was due to overwhelm our County Town, the annual Beer Festival,relocated to Pageant's Park gardens,also hosted three days of music food, and well...beer.

        They'd had a pretty damp Friday night apparently, but we really were blessed that evening as all of the acts managed to play to a field of dry(mostly), happy punters. Getting there had been a bit of a nightmare,with our usual Warwick car park was hidden behind a baffling construction of cones and barriers whilst the rest of the town grappled with its one way system. 

        As Jon Harrington and I finally sprinted from a distant car park into Jury Street,we had received mixed messages en route about start times,and feared the worst, as we had been delayed. No need to worry because young Ellie Gowers was on stage and was giving it her best shot. Very impressive too,so much so that I invited her to cross the county meridian in August and come to Nuneaton Folk Club. Of which,more later. It was our good fortune to be appearing there on the Saturday night,the 20th July .We set up in pretty sharp order and with Matthew Mansfield  driving the P.A. with an admirable dexterity,the sound appeared to reach all parts of the compact area.  

Genius at work. 

      With the full six-piece line up available it was actually the Drunk Monkey version of Nunc who tore through a 45 minute set including all of the raunchier, noisier numbers as well as throwing in a couple of quieter ones such as "Guilty" and "Weather With You" The audience appeared to enjoy it all. Once again we got a few people dancing and a few singing along. Afterwards once couple asked if we could play at their wedding(!!) and I had some very positive feedback from a local publican who recommended we pay his establishment(s) a visit. 

Here we all are. Pablo IS there.You can see his sunglasses.

    Our good friends Alchemista followed us,and the level of music remained high thereafter so we hung around to listen to  a couple more sets. Alas,the beer began to run out,which is always what a Beer Festival Committee wants to hear,but it can be a disappointment for the committed Tickers seeking to add a few more trophies to the list. Top marks go though  to whoever it was who had the forethought to order not one but TWO barrels of Church End Fallen Angel. Having the second one racked up and ready in reserve, to come to the rescue late on Saturday was a stroke of genius. It certainly kept us occupied.                

           Top marks to Matthew Mansfield and his team of volunteers for assembling together what was  a very successful event. The setting was Sylvan,the food (especially the Fish & Chips) was excellent,and the music was an eclectic mix of styles. The Beer List had seen a lot of thought going into it. Many local breweries  represented,but also a commendable list of quality stuff like Mallinsons and Abbeydale on tap. The security and bar staff were especially friendly-they worked very hard to create a welcoming atmosphere.