I'm sorry to say I did not have a great night at the
Indy Manchester Beer Convention last night
Right now I've recovered
some of the kegs were far too cold and killed the subtle saison flavours
and with being in a an unheated victorian swimming baths it wasn't going to warm in the glass any time soon
I was a bit pissed that £8 got you in and a glass (which is very nice)& not even a complimentary half
they said they were keeping the cost of the beer down but there were very few £1.50 halves
In fact I was shocked when my first beer was a short measured half for £2 when there was some mention of 2/3
granted I was paying pretty much the going rate at £3 a half it's not massively overpriced for the beer
except for the fact that you have also paid an entry fee
and the beers are coming straight from from the brewers.
Totally irrelevant to anyone but me, when I was leaving the toilets I heard someone say to his friend
'That was too smoky for me' & I interjected 'Too smoky? That sounds just my thing! What was it?'
to be totally blanked even though only just had first beer & was sober
& then ignored when again when I repeated myself. In hindsight it was probably also lucky they ignored me calling them ignorant.
Even some people that let on to me normally, gave me the cold shoulder,
was it because I was gothed up a bit
& freshly shaved with no beard to help identify me as a human being?
Though 'Diamond' Des was as ever a diamond geezer.
I am seriously thinking of giving up my interest in ale as none of my friends appreciate hoppy & big flavoured brews
& the new craft scene seems to attract a lot of people unwilling to engage with people they don't know,
unless they are brewers or minor beer web celebs.
I hate to play to the stereotypes but perhaps I need a crash course in how to speak Hipster.
The electrics were also playing up, cutting out every five minutes.
Me losing my debit card was no fault of IMBC just made a lacklustre night, a bad night.
On the plus sides the Celt Experience Brigid Fire was a great use of flavours
the Against the Grain Citra Ass Down the best beer pun I've seen in ages
being able to sample Estonian craft was enlightening
& I had no trouble tasting the huge flavours of Weird Beards Triple IPA Defacer.
I've had a lot of people say they are interested in going to the Independent Salford Beer Festival
but can't do that & IMBC as well
& IMHO they are missing out
okay there may be half the beers but it's half the price both entry & serving.
(last year Blackjack's King of Clubs was exactly half the craft bar price)
but I venture ISBF15 will be more than twice as friendly & welcoming
