West Country Ales Vol 1 and Wandsworth Halloween Fest

Quantock Brewery Quantock Ale, 3.8%

Synonymous of the Quantock Brewery in Somerset this is a well made traditional amber ale with slight fruit notes on the nose, its well rounded and improves as it goes on and would make an excellent session beer due to its medium-low percentage, a good place to start after a day toiling at a computer, 6.5/10.

Emma says ‘Unusual very beery’

Clearwater Brewery Devon Dympsy, 4.0%

Formerly known as “Cavalier” this ale is from the Clearwater brewery in Torrington, Devon, a small brewery with a succinct range of ales and a few pubs around the Exmoor area. The ale itself is excellent, dark chestnut in colour with a nutty smooth taste which builds into a citrus finish. It’s very drinkable and I wish I had more than one bottle right now,  8/10.

Emma says ‘light smoky burnt taste a bit like eating an ash tray’

Wandsworth Common Halloween 2012 Beer Festival

In between trying the two aforementioned ales I visited the Wandsworth Halloween Ale festival at Le Gothique just off Wandsworth Common. Located in the middle of the huge Royal Victoria Patriotic Building this festival is without doubt the ‘coolest’ festival I've been to with a mainly young clientèle, Halloween costumes and an excellent setting. It’s never overcrowded and it’s a good festival to get served quickly, the range of ales was even better this year than last and the setting in Le Gothique’s courtyard is excellent.

The Royal Victoria Patriotic Building

I would give you a breakdown and reviews of what I had but foolishly I lost my booklet with my thoughts inside and my memory is somewhat hazy. Although I do remember being very disappointed by the Downton Chocolate Orange ale, but that was my only duff selection and the ales available generally were of the highest quality. Although one downside was the weather as this festival is mainly set outside it is at the mercy of the British autumn and it was brutally cold despite the halogen heaters but the organizers cannot help that. A great festival and I'm looking forward to their spring edition.