Bluebell Railway beer festival in association Sussex Branches of Camra 10th -12th September 2021

Come to a beer festival with a difference! Imagine sipping a special Sussex brew in the industrial splendour of a locomotive running shed and watch steam trains puff up and down the line. Bluebell Railway’s first beer festival will be supported by the Sussex Branches of Camra and their expertise.

Choose from 90 different cask beers and enjoy a fine selection of cider and perry too! Beer aficionados will be pleased to hear that priority will be given to Sussex breweries, with an aim of offering each local brewery an opportunity of supplying one of their ales, likewise with cider and perry. There will also be a small selection of ales at the historic George V Buffet at Horsted Keynes station and on the buffet car of the service train.

The event will run from 12 noon to 9.30pm, Friday and Saturday, and 12 noon to 4pm on Sunday. Extra entertainment in the form of live music will feature on Friday and Saturday evenings. Don’t forget to bring your takeaway containers for special end of day offers on the Sunday.

Entrance charge to the festival will be £7.50 and will include a beer programme with tasting notes, a free glass plus and a free pint of beer or cider! A token system is in place for further purchase of beers, which can be sampled at as full pints, halves or 3rds. Plenty of food options will be provided in-house and by temporary food stands.

Tickets for Festival, and rail travel https://bluebell.vticket.co.uk/product.php/390
Tickets for buses to festival https://bluebell.vticket.co.uk/product.php/391


Copy of Brochure from Camra attached.

 

I feel a sudden urge to visit my aunt and uncle, who live in Hartfield, about 15 mins away from SP

 

A list of the beers

https://www.bluebell-railway.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Bluebell-Beer-Festival-Tasting-Notes.pdf

 

Anything from a certain microbrewery you frequent in Cambridge Paul?

 

No unfortunately , so will have to look for alternative with Simcoe hops.

 

I agree with regard the beers, unfortunately there is only a one train service. While they are expecting the majority to arrive by buses/ coaches, from previous experience at the Spa Valley Beer Festivals a lot of people travelled on the Railway.​

 

Bluebell Railway Beer Festival
Boarded the train hauled by 80151 to Sheffield Park, on arrival good signage to the two main areas of the festival, the engine shed and the area behind the loco works where there were 40nr beers in each location. There was also some outside and inside the Bessemer Arms, and at Horsted Keynes. According to the list printed from the website there were planned to be 106nr beers available during the festival.
After collecting my glass plus tasting notes,and purchased tokens ( in addtion to the 3nr 3rd pint tickets included with entry I went to look for some of the beers I had marked on the list printed from the website.
I tried the following, went for third of a pint, which I have included some of the description from the tasting notes.

1.Loud Shirt – Psychedelic IPA 5.1 described as “This beer is a mouth-watering and Vibrant experience. “Definitely not, pleasant but nothing special.

2. Kissingate Black Cherry Mild 4.2 – Description - “Subtle additions of real black Cherries and gentle hopping provide as truly wonderful taste experience” Only the second mild I tasted and very enjoyable beer, the description is spot on.

3. Gun – Parabellum Milk Stout 4.1% “Rich balance of coffee, vanilla, and chocolate notes.
Unfined, unfiltered.” @Victor's suggestion. A very fine stout.

4. Brolly - Reelin’ in the Year (4.5% IPA) “A dry finish to this beer makes this a very sessionable
tropical quaffer. Mosaic, Citra, Simcoe with a touch of Idaho 7. Enjoy the smooth, juicy
flavour of this one. In true East Coast style, there's minimal bittering - just a smooth, fruity
whack of flavour. Hazy as hell.”
Superb – the best one I tasted.
As @Matt37401 knows I am very partial to anything with Simcoe Hops - particularly the one by Calverley's.

5. Battle One Hop Wonder (4.0% Pale Ale) “A showcase of the highest quality hop known to man.
CITRA bursts with rich citrus tones and a robust yet balanced bitterness” Very enjoyable ale .

6. Three Acre Hazy Pale (4.6% Pale Ale)” The Hazy Pale is bursting with flavour, with a prominent citrusy & floral aroma, complimented by a complex grain bill which adds moreish caramel undertones and a soft haze.” A very enjoyable pale ale only beaten by nr 4.

7. Ossett Silver King (4.8% Pale Ale) “A simple combination of pale malt and American Cascade hops
result in a crisp, dry, and refreshing pale ale with aromas of citrus fruit and balanced
bitterness.” Very pleasant but beaten by several of the ales above.

And finally, because I enjoyed it so much a whole pint of.Brolly - Reelin’ in the Year with Pie and Mash on the journey behind 80151 back to East Grinstead.

A very enjoyable festival thanks to all those involved.