Reflections on GBBF 2015 - its not just about the Beer!

St Austell Brewery bar team

It would be remiss of me not to write about the hugely popular GBBF (Great British Beer Festival) in London. I've attended the event for the last three years now as part of the St Austell Brewery bar team and 2015 was equally as good as previous years.

It never ceases to amaze me of the organisation that goes into producing any large beer festival but GBBF is something different. It's not perfect, it has its flaws, but its run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers who without fail manage to put on a festival to be proud of and one that showcases some of the best beers available. Congratulations CAMRA and all its willing volunteers for making this happen.

However, it's also true that Beer Festivals should be fun as well as giving people the chance to try some great beers. Working on my bar it was clearly apparent, that fuelled by some fine Cornish ales and equally great mix of music, customers where having fun.

The "m" word (music) is one that other beer festivals often over look. Music and beer go hand in hand as much as beer and football, so I think its only right that more festival organisers should take their entertainment offering as well as the beer a bit more seriously. On the St Austell bar we had a resident DJ who played a mix of tracks appropriate for the time of day and customer age groups - that's really important as who wants to hear heavy rock early on a Wednesday!

At other regional beer festivals CAMRA tend to book bands to play in the evening sessions and the remaining times are quiet. Although I respect the need for a quiet session I think its time CAMRA started to add to the atmosphere of their events with more background or regular music slots. It does not need to be a band blasting your ear drums, a DJ mix of 60's, 70's or 80's classic tracks are great for raising the atmosphere and getting the feet tapping . Also, one thing that CAMRA and real ale needs to do is to appeal to younger people so the introduction of more music would surely help with this.

Dare I add there might also be a place for a sports screen at some festivals. If there is a good match on the TV then why not employ a large screen for this to be shown. If this attracts more people, or keeps people at the event, costs permitting its worth considering.

So for me, although GBBF 2015 was a very enjoyable and successful event, the popularity of the St Austell bar with its music made me aware that's "its not just about the beer"!