1st to 5th June 2004
A Word From Your Organiser!
We try to be loyal to local brewers who support us, particularly those who allow us to look round their premises and occasionally even sample their brews! In addition, we look for beers which have won awards at other festivals, or have been recommended by branch members on their travels, but are otherwise hard to find in our area.
In addition, we have a regional bar - this year featuring Cornish Ales.
The Cider list has not been finalised, but should include three from Essex (Park Farm and Delvin End), a couple from Cornwall, and at least two perries. And don't forget that we also offer a wide range of bottled Belgian beers, local wines and, this year, Cornish Mead Wine.
We always attempt to offer a wide range of styles, tastes and strengths, both to satisfy the "experienced" real ale drinker, and educate those who normally order other tipples. This year is no exception with over 80 real ales available throughout the festival.
Whilst all of the above have been ordered, experience shows that not all will actually arrive. Last-minute brewing problems, "administrative errors" (i.e breweries forgetting!), and transport cock-ups all contribute.
Please rest assured, however, that any replacements should be up to the same standard.
We hope to see you at this year's Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival.
Dave Nunn
Colchester BFO
Provisional Beer List
| Brewery | Location | Beer | ABV |
| Batemans | Lincs | Dark Mild | 3.0 |
| Batemans | " | Port-U-Goal | 4.0 |
| Blanchfields | Essex | Raging Bull | 4.9 |
| Blanchfields | " | White Bull | 4.4 |
| Blanchfields | " | Summer Bull | 4.2 |
| Buffys |
|
Bitter | 3.9 |
| Buffys | " | Mild | 4.2 |
| Castlerock | Notts | Black Gold | 3.5 |
| Castlerock | " | Hemlock Bitter | 4.0 |
| Cotleigh | Soms | Golden Eagle | 4.2 |
| Cotleigh | " | Barn Owl | 4.5 |
| Crouch Vale | Essex | Essex Boys Bitter | 3.5 |
| Crouch Vale | " | Brewers Gold | 4.0 |
| Crouch Vale | " | Anchor Street Porter | 4.9 |
| Crouch Vale | " | Amarillo | 5.0 |
| Felstar | Essex | Lord Essex | 5.4 |
| Felstar | " | Wheat | 4.8 |
| Fox |
|
Brant Hill Light | 4.3 |
| Fox | " | Peddars Sway | 5.0 |
| Gales |
|
Festival Mild | 4.8 |
| Gales | " | GB | 4.0 |
| Grand Union | Middx | Honey Porter | 4.9 |
| Grand Union | " | Pilsner | 5.2 |
| Grand Union | " | Stout | 4.8 |
| Hampshire | Hants | They Think Its All Over | 3.5 |
| Hampshire | " | Pride of Romsey | 5.0 |
| Hardys & Hanson | Notts |
|
3.1 |
| Hardys & Hanson | " | Olde Trip | 4.3 |
| Harviestoun |
|
Bitter & Twisted | 3.8 |
| Harviestoun | " | Schiehallion | 4.8 |
| Hopback | Wilts | Entire Stout | 4.5 |
| Hopback | " | Summer Lightning | 5.0 |
| Humpty Dumpty |
|
Reedcutter | 4,2 |
| Humpty Dumpty | " | Lemon & Ginger | 4.0 |
| Iceni |
|
Boadicea | 3.8 |
| Iceni | " | Raspberry Wheat | 5.0 |
| Isle of Skye |
|
Red Cuillin | 4.2 |
| Isle of Skye | " | Hebridean Gold | 4.3 |
| Jennings |
|
Crag Rat | 4,3 |
| Jennings | " | Snecklifter | 5.1 |
| Maldon Brewing Co |
Essex |
Hotel Porter | 4.1 |
| Maldon Brewing Co |
|
Pucks Folly | 4.2 |
| Mauldons |
|
|
4.8 |
| Mauldons | " | Blackadder | 5.3 |
| Mighty Oak | Essex | Oscar Wilde | 3.7 |
| Mighty Oak | " | Burntwood Bitter | 4.0 |
| Mighty Oak | " | Dark & Dengie | 4.6 |
| Milton | Cambs | Minotaur | 3.3 |
| Milton | " |
|
4.4 |
| Moor | Somerset | Old Freddy Walker | 7.3 |
| Nethergate |
|
Suffolk
|
4.0 |
| Nethergate | " | Wise Monkeys | 4.2 |
| Otter | Devon | Bitter | 3.8 |
| Otter | " | Bright | 4.3 |
| Oulton |
|
Bitter | 3.5 |
| Oulton | " | Gone Fishin | 5.0 |
| Oulton | " | Beedazzled | 4.0 |
| Railway Tavern | Essex | Crab & Winkle | 3.7 |
| Railway Tavern | " | Historic Nettle Ale | 5.0 |
| Ridleys | Essex | Prospect | 4.1 |
| Ridleys | " | Rumpus | 4.3 |
| St Peters |
|
Organic Best | 4.1 |
| St Peters | " | Old Style Porter | 5.1 |
| Swan |
|
Trumpeter | 4.0 |
| Swan | " | Ginger Beer | 3.6 |
| Winters |
|
Bitter | 3.8 |
| Winters | " | Storm Force | 5.3 |
| Wolf |
|
Wolf Ale | 3.9 |
| Wolf | " | Lavender Honey | 3.7 |
| Woodfordes |
|
Wherry | 3.8 |
| Woodfordes | " | Headcracker | 7.0 |
| Cornish Bar | |||
| Blackawton | West Country Gold | 4.1 | |
| Blackawton | Headstrong | 5.2 | |
| Doghouse | Loyal Corgi | 4.5 | |
| Doghouse | Bow Wow | 5.0 | |
| Keltek | 4K Mild | 3.8 | |
| Keltek | Revenge | 7.0 | |
| Organic | Lizard Point | 4.0 | |
| Organic | Black Rock Stout | 4.7 | |
| St Austell | Black Prince | 4.0 | |
| St Austell | HSD | 5.0 | |
| Sharps | Doombar | 4.0 | |
| Sharps | Wills Resolve | 4.6 | |
| Skinners | Coastliner | 3.4 | |
| Skinners | Cornish Knocker | 4.5 | |
| Cider & Perry | |||
| Castlings Heath | Organic Dry | 7.0 | |
| Cornish Orchards | Medium Cider | ? | |
| Crossmans | Dry Cider | 6.0 | |
| Delvin End | Cyclone | 7.0 | |
| Delvin End | Storm | 7.0 | |
| Hecks | Perry | ? | |
| Lizard Cider Barn | Cornish Blacksmith | 7.0 | |
| Park Farms | Dry Cider | 7.5 | |
| Riches | Dry Cider | 7 | |
| Thatchers | Heritage Cider | 4.9 | |
| Westons | Organic Vintage Cider | 7.3 | |
| Westons | Herefordshire Perry | 4.8 | |
| Wilkins | Medium Cider | 6.2 | |
Please also note that CAMRA supports anti drink-drive campaigns, so free soft drinks will be available at our festival, to all patrons who would like them.
Opening Times
Tuesday 1st June - 6pm to 11pm
Wednesday 2nd June - 11.45am to 11pm
Thursday 3rd June - 11.45am to 11pm
Friday 4th June - 11.45am to 11pm
Saturday 5th June - 11.45am to 11pm
Finding Us The Beer Festival will be held at the Colchester Arts Centre, just off Colchester High Street. The best way to find us is to look for 'Jumbo' the water tower!
Entry Fees
Entry costs into this years Beer Festival will be as follows :-
Tuesday - £2 (evening only)
Wednesday to Friday - £1 before 6.30pm, £2 after 6.30pm
Saturday - £1 all day
FREE ADMISSION to card carrying CAMRA members at all sessions (and your entry fee refunded if you become a member at the festival)
Note: We will now NOT be using payment cards, all purchases can be made with cash.
Food
Due to unforeseen events, no hot food will be available during this years festival.
Instead, we will be serving a range of rolls and sandwiches, as well as crisps and 'award winning' pork scratchings.
Apologies to all of you who were looking forward to a burger or two with your beer.
Music
All sessions will be 'quiet' except for Tuesday evening, when this years music will be brought to you by the popular local band, Thud & Blunder.
The band play a mix of popular songs to suit most tastes.
Staffing / Volunteers
We are always keen to hear from branch members who would like to help out at this or any of the other festivals the C & NEE branch organise.
There are lots of jobs that need doing, from set up on the Bank Holiday Monday, helping during the festival itself and then 'knock down' on the following Sunday.
Don't worry if you've never served beer before, it's very simple and there will be plenty of people to help you out. If you don't fancy working behind the bar then, what about helping out on the front door, or the merchandise stall?
Just a couple of hours of your spare time means that someone else gets a break and can enjoy a little of the festival as well. If you would be willing to help out, please complete this Staffing Form and return it to Dave Nunn.