Colston Crawford sees the festival succeed and can't keep away from Shiny Brewing's excellent ales
THE only session I could make at this year's Derby summer beer festival was Friday night, which wouldn't normally be my first choice, as I find the lunchtimes much more convivial.
But I saw enough, I think, to judge that Derby Camra had pulled it off again, despite the logistical problems presented by having to be in a marquee in the Market Place.
In terms of the beer, it is impossible to get round everything and inevitable, as ever, that some you would like to try are not available at the particular time you're there. But it was ever thus.
I drew one notable conclusion: that the beers from Shiny Brewery were the best I tasted on the night. Pedro Menon hardly needs any more publicity for the burgeoning success of his pub, the Furnace, and the brewery behind it but he keeps ticking all the boxes.
A stout, Wrench, was magnificent, a perfect example of all that a stout should be, bursting with aroma and flavour.
Pedro's hoppy, fruity New World pale ale was as tasty as the first time I drank it, 18 months ago. Another pale ale, Affinity, was nearly as good and, while I don't go for ginger-flavoured beers, those who do were knocked out by the one Shiny had sold out of by 5pm on Friday.
I've tended to the view recently that Dancing Duck might be the most consistent brewery in Derby: Shiny Brewing is giving it a run for their money.
