Ostriig on 27/9/2012 at 12:41
Hm. I was talking to N'Al the other day about maybe doing a TTLG Pride in October or November down in London. Is it worth moving up? Apparently, there's some mutant form of Oktoberfest going on in London this weekend. It probably involves watered down 4% pisswasser, but hey.
faetal on 27/9/2012 at 13:05
I'm in Southampton, a mere 1.33 hours train journey from London, plus I have friend there I can stay with.
If this goes down, I want in.
SubJeff on 27/9/2012 at 13:16
Quote Posted by Ostriig
Hm. I was talking to N'Al the other day about maybe doing a TTLG Pride in October or November down in London. Is it worth moving up? Apparently, there's some mutant form of Oktoberfest going on in London this weekend. It probably involves watered down 4% pisswasser, but hey.
These things usually surprise you. I went to the Battersea Beer Festival a couple of years ago on the hunt for Belgian beers after visiting Brugge and becoming a convert.
There I discovered the best beer ever; Karg dunkel. German unpasteurised beer brought over by a legend called Olaf who is well known at all the British beer festivals (in the South at least) organised by CAMRA. This amongst others have totally converted me into a German/Belgian beer lover.
Don't knock til you try it. I've been surprised at other beer festivals in the UK with regards to the selection. British stuff tends to be awful because we are awful. I had a Porter that was so vile I dumped it after one taste. Carling is popular here. This tells you all you need to know about British taste in beer; it is unquestionably the most filthy shit drink out there. The only thing the Brits get right at these things, imho, is cider. There are some great ciders (I like them sharp and vinegary) to be had but you have to beware because, well you know, getting wasted is hella easy. Hmmm. Maybe I should replace all the British with English.
And you know - if you're really lucky you might find a Lambic or two there. Ye Gods! Now there is an acquired taste that one acquired will make you ahhhhhhhhhhhh.
faetal on 27/9/2012 at 13:19
There are loads of amazing British ales. Real ale is having a big upsurge in popularity lately too.
[EDIT] Fuck it. I just re-read that and realised that I'm in France this weekend. :(
SubJeff on 27/9/2012 at 13:39
Real ale is meh. It's not horrible but once you've had some good stuff from the continent you won't bother.
faetal on 27/9/2012 at 13:42
Perhaps, but I love real ale, I'm not just settling for it. The range and variety of flavours continues to amaze me. Sure there are some stinkers, but the nicest alcoholic beverages I've had the pleasure to sup were all ales.
Ostriig on 27/9/2012 at 13:56
SubJeff - I guess five years of asking for a Becks only to be served a Becks Vier which is watered down to shit on top of it all has put a bit of a damper on my perspective on the matter. But I'm definitely up for a pleasant surprise. To be fair, this one gig I was reading about getting organised this weekend did boast about having high quality stuff, conforming to some German law or another. Think it's at Kennington, they're putting up a 2500 man tent, but can't check right now.
Anyway, worse come to worst, I do know this one czech/slovak pub literally one hundred metres from West Hampstead station. It doesn't look very fancy, but it's got a good atmosphere to it and it serves proper bottled lager at £3.50 and the local flavour of palinca.
So are we actaully thinking of doing a short-notice thing this weekend, guys? Do any of you on Facebook wanna check with Digi how long he's in London?
SubJeff on 27/9/2012 at 14:13
I can't do this weekend anyway - I tend to be booked for a month in advance due to work. I was just bemoaning the fact that we could have done it.
Where is this thing in London? I've some friends who would be interested.
