Glasgow Real Ale Festival (G-RAF) 2016 – Day 2

Nothing much has happened since the close of Day 1 of the Glasgow Real Ale Festival 2016, the UK has voted to leave the EU, the Prime Minister has given his notice, people being interviewed on TV who voted for Brexit appear to not know why they did, and Mr Farage on Breakfast TV admitted that the money they let the populace believe would be allocated to the NHS never would be. This feels like a good day to sample some Ale.

Arriving to start my shift at 14.00, there was already a worthy collection of Ale Enthusiasts in situ at The Briggait. It is Day 2 of G-RAF, as people finished work so more would arrive, some well kent faces included.

Mid afternoon there was a crowd of Chaps who discovered Trushkar, a 5.0% Black Ale from the Lerwick Brewery in Shetland. Describing it as the best beer they had ever tasted I had to sample it. As one who prefers hoppy ale with a high IBU, this was the antithesis of what I would normally look for. The Trushkar was far from sweet, very smooth, a great surprise. This is what being here is all about. There was still some left late this Friday night.

Mid evening I was set to work at the door taking the entrance money: £6.00 to non-CAMRA members, £4.00 to CAMRA members, returning CAMRA members with their glass can gain access for £2.00. A group of Spaniards came in – We have Spanish Beers, I assured them. They were surprised, but also keen to try new brands. Another Chap asked if the £6.00 entry fee covered all subsequent Beer. Em, no. The hire of The Briggait has to be paid for.

Towards the end of the evening I sampled Jambe de Bois, (8.0%) from De La Senne, Belgium as recommended by Dr. Stan. This was very much in Hector’s style, – a small scale blond – said Colin, more please.