Pig's Ear festival in Hackney started yesterday, first night attendance reportedly up 20% on last year despite major traffic chaos in the area.
Strong emphasis on winter/strong beers with some encouragement to get a few brews done early.
Best beers sampled by me: Prospect (Wigan) Blinding Light; Phoenix (Haywood, Manchester) Monkeytown Mild; Box Steam (Colerne, Wilts) Derail Ale.
The Ocean is a great venue - far better than the one used for the London drinker.
E.