Those lazy and bit hazy days of summer

What is the best way to spend a lazy British summer Saturday afternoon in the great outdoors- without actually taxing yourself too much? Well this last weekend it could have been popping down to Lords for the test match or the Golf Open at Turnberry, depending on your sporting fancy.

But on Saturday about 1,000 people showed how we can enjoy ourselves collectively in the open air without a ball, bat or club in sight; just a glass and some gorgeous ales. Yes, a wonderful outdoor beer festival. Just as the thwack of leather on willow on a village green is quintessentially British, the sounds of beer glasses clinking on a balmy July day evoke a similar warm glow.

It was the West Cheshire Brewer’s Annual Beer Fest – motto ‘Because Life’s Too Short For Crap Beer’. It’s now in its third year on Matthew Walley’s farm at Waverton – the home of his splendid Spitting Feathers Brewery.

As in previous years, there was a welcome respite in the monsoon conditions that now seem to prevail at this time of year. The sun shone more or less throughout the afternoon session.

One of the really endearing things about this festival is that it is on a proper working farm. You can divert from the serious ale business to gaze at the livestock or watch Matt’s happy porkers scratching their backs.

Another bonus, for Northern drinkers anyway, is that all the ale is served via beer engines on the huge bar. With both an afternoon and an evening session there’s also two great bands playing – the Reads and the Moo Cows.

The beer, of course, was great - a fine showcase for what West Cheshire’s brewers are about. We first sampled the light citrus summer ale Splash from Stationhouse and then the fine Woodlands Light Oak - brewed with a lager malt - before we went through the card; Spitting Feathers’ Solstice was new to me and another classy summer ale as was the golden best bitter Dancer from Northern, while Froda from Stationhouse offered a traditional tawny ale. Weetwood was there with its new Move Over Darling and other classics including one of Harkers’ favourite tipples Cheshire Cat.

Later we eventually hit the deep dark stouts and porters - Spitting Feathers Old Wavertonian with its chocolate and coffee flavours and Northern’s Deep Dark Secret, smooth and silky porter with a dryish underlying finish. Yes, it was a long afternoon.

The boys were trying to keep a track and vote for the best beer of the fest, but after the fourth or fifth (only half glasses) they sort of lost their way a bit - or their will - and decided to abandon any attempt at rational judgement. As they were all good beers the best one was the one you had in your hand at the time. At one time Bob muttered something like ‘ ‘av anuvver deadwood’ which I took to mean the pokey (4.9%) Redwood from Woodlands which was, we agreed, a cracker.

A charity event – each brewer designates a charity – both sessions were sold out. Well done Matt, another great day. See if you can fix the elements again next year.