Last year the Bedford-Bamberg Spring Fest was not an option, no suitable flight from Glasgow to Luton. This year it was possible to catch the 16.30 and with efficient Bus and Train connections, Hector arrived in Bedford at 18.36. The Bag was dropped off at The Travelodge at the top of the town and Curry at the over-hyped Deshi Spice provided Ballast before settling down to an Evening of Deutsche Bier.
Arriving at the Corn Exchange around 19.30, Lord Clive of Crawley was sitting in the Vestibule with Richard. Richard was finishing his last Pint, he had been here a while already. The Don Bosco Musikanten were outside posing for Photos, I obliged. We had a good late Friday Night session with them Two Years ago.
Ten minutes or so in the Queue which was Three Deep at the Bar, and Hector had secured a Pint of St. Jospehi (Keesmann, Bamberg, Bayern) a 6.2% Helles Bock. A Keesmann Bock, an All Time Favourite! Presumably this is not the same Bock served up on previous Tapping Trips to Bamberg. A Maibock? This went down far too easily. Clive thought it Sweet, a bit, but not as Sweet as the Autumn Bock has become.
Bamberg Bier Fest?
The Biers from Paulaner (München, Bayern) featured prominently. A bit Bog-Standard for this Festival. With Kölsch and Alt Bier from those well known Bamberg Suburbs of Köln and Düsseldorf, respectively, the Bamberg Connection was well and truly stretched. I suppose it did mean there was something for everyone, it also left the Bocks for us.
By the time a Second was required Dr. Stan had been spotted heading for the Queue at t’Bar, Richard was off and Hector had joined a Chap and Two Ladies at a table in the Inner Room. Space for all, including Jonathan who had just arrived. It was sensible for him to fetch Bier whilst I minded the table. That was the last we saw of Jonathan, for an Age.
With Dr. Stan and Clive at t’Table and the Three Companions, briefly Four, then departed, we potentially had this table to ourselves. Jonathan was still at t’Bar. Goodluck!
By the time Jonathan returned with Bier, it was Clive’s turn to go. And so we realised this was how it would be until the place calmed down.
Table Service was rumoured, a Doris promised to serve us, disappeared, and an hour later stated there was no more table service, she couldn’t get served either.
Hector started Bier #3 at 21.50. By now we had sussed that a Double Round was more efficient. The last of the Vierzehnheiligen Nothelfer Silbebrbock (Trunk, Bad Stafelstein, Bayern) at 6.8% was taken by Dr. Stan and Jonathan. Clive and Hector moved on to the Heavy Duty Schlenkerla Eiche – Old Smoke Doppelbock (Heller, Bamberg, Bayern) at 8%. A Smoky Helles, Superb. More required.
The same Chaps were found at the Bar on each return visit, good banter. One particular Serving Doris was by now well on board with our requirements. The service was easier by the close of play. The Don Bosco Band were in full flight. Hearing them from afar was probably better than being in the Main Room.
Jonathan went off to track down the Manager. A comment about the difficulties in being served had to be made. I joined them after some time and was recognised from Two Years ago. Free Bier Tokens had apparently been mentioned before before I added my presence. Somehow Four Tokens ended up in my capable hands. Tomorrow, and thank you.
No Bedford Late Night Curry Houses, found last time. Did someone go for a Kebab? We’re not in Bamberg!
A Twenty Minute walk uphill to The Travelodge, or a Taxi?
The Bier Festival:
The Bedford Corn Exchange – Saint Paul’s Square, Bedford, MK40 1SL
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