GBBF 2008

May I suggest you write again when you have visited - I think you'll find it's not like that at all...

Well if we don't, the public think we do - there is the danger that a smaller event will be besieged by thirsty punters being turned away!

About 60,000 people think there is a point. I'm not a fan of London myself, and the festival is the only holiday I have, but nothing at local level compares with Great British Beer Festival - nothing.

Yes it has regular trains, but not much outside the office hours period. Unfortunately they aren't the only aspect of the equation and the ability to get to the venue on foot and public transport also falls into the equation. Anyone who has tried to *walk* into that area needs to seek psychiatric care.

When Chris speaks of checking out the venue, we were actually invited to do so in recent years by a senior member of the management that covers the NIA and the NEC. We could see the NEC was too far out and the NIA too small for the Great British Beer Festival but saw a possibility of the NIA as a venue for the Winter Ales. Alas the cost versus the probable income were too close a call. We pointed out the problems we foresaw and he (the manager that did the invite) agreed that the project wasn't viable given the cost of the hall(s) and the small matter of the franchise holders at the venue(s) wanting to limit our "show" to the things they don't do.

NB. One of the things they DO is what they laughingly label as beer so we wouldn't be allowed to do that...

Things change, so perhaps the NIA should be looked at as a venue for a large festival like the Winter Ales. Probably a more accessible venue than the current one anyway.

In article , Christine writes

Does that include Olympia? I have to say that I much preferred that as a GBBF venue in many ways, despite the leaking roof! The rectangular shape is better for layout, there are more galleries and the whole hall can be seen from one elevated point, and there is daylight.

The disadvantage compared with Earl's Court is the train service.

Olympia is like a pub; Earl's Court is like a cocktail bar.

Roy.

Given the events of 2012, I do wonder if it might be more prudent to actually shift the date of GBBF 2008 to avoid the olympics. I can imagine that if they do "clash", there will be a lower turnout, as many will prefer to watch olympics live or on TV, and could even affect volunteer numbers too. Shifting it to early/mid July or later in August (yes, I know there is the paralympics) may bring in a much better turnout of punters and volunteers, and could resolve any potential "venue" problems too.

Matt

Roy Bailey wrote: .

G-Mex Manchester?

Ken Ward

So do the people that do the "Pure" exhibition. They offered big bucks to get us moved from the dates we had there.

Or we could go away on holiday instead.

In message , Roy Bailey writes

It's generally felt that Earls Court hasn't that much atmosphere - it's more like a basement car park. My suggestion is a couple of daleks would fit in perfectly. Apparently they come if you let them in free, like morris dancers. Spray them orange and they could threaten extermination for punters who misbehave.

OTOH it's much easier to keep the stock cool at Earls Court.

The current venue is quite accesible thank you. Victoria Station right next door and the Metropolitan Elite can slum it on a tram over from Picadilly if they want to.

Like most people I know I've given up on the GBBF. Peterborough is much better all round for me. Oh , and it's on this week. Excellent news.

I wonder what venue is right next door to Victoria Station? Oh you mean the

OK if you want to stand for ages sinking into soggy ground getting frozen, but as for me - I'll stick to an indoors venue.

Actually never come across any mud there in the last four years And as for standing around waiting, the bar service us much superior at Peterborough. Prompt and very friendly. And you probably save 50p on every pint you have.

No contest.

Well as I would be staff at the festival, I would be standing around for hours on end. And if you've had a look at the weather forecast for this weekend, and also having experienced a few of the "showers" over the last few weeks, I think soggy ground will be the order of the day this year. Oh and as I would be staff at the festival, at Great British Beer Festival I don't pay for my beer at the staff bar and a reduced price over the bar, so I wouldn't notice the "lower price" at Peterborough.

I am in complete agreement with Roy Bailey. Being partially disabled I find the distances I have to trek in Earls Court are enormous, tiring and eventually painful compared to Olympia. Furthermore I find Earls Court, in spite of the huge size, claustrophobic and far too hot.

Pete Yarlett

miaow

You ought to consider Peterborough then. Not claustrophobic, certainly not too warm, totally accessible, grass beneath your feet, a proper no-nonsense beer festival feel, 400+ real ales and ciders etc (yes not quite as big as the GBBF, but size isn't everything!)

Here are the current webcam views:

and here's the beer list:

views:

list:

I always go to Reading which is of a similar size and format to Peterborough (have now ducked to dodge the flying bricks). Peterborough is a bit far for me to go from West Hampshire on my pension!!

Pete Y

Sorry, best fare I can get is £77 return by rail.

London can be £1 if I book a bus early enough!

OK not comparing like with like, but Peterboro isn't as accessible from the West.

That makes you a member of a *very* small minority group!

Roy.

Interesting change of description - P'boro always used to try and compete on size - usually by double counting and adding in the children and dogs. Do P'boro sell more these days or is the grass still growing well in certain areas afterward?

BTW. For some reason this year the staff area (2nd Floor Brompton) was nicely cooled while the forced cooled air system for the main hall seemed to be absent. Might be worth someone taking that up with the "management" at EC