32 Beers in 2 Days (Looking back at London’s Great British Beer Festival 2016)

For the ninth time in a row, I visited the Campaign for Real Ale’s Great British Beer Festival in London last week. Out of over 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers I was able to sample 32 real ales and German beers (which I can’t get on tap in Hamburg) during two days.

A quick look at the main hall:


The Twitter/Facebook diary of my trip:

Pre-real ale food:

Zwischendurch mal wieder eine nette deutsche Geschichte:

It has a funny ring to it to tell the @gbbf volunteer behind the bar that I'd like to get a Good Spankin'. pic.twitter.com/ifebNWSksW

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 9, 2016

For those who are not familiar with #GBBF, here is my 2015 report – which includes a @YouTube video: https://t.co/RcH7LjG0Yx

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 9, 2016

Nice between-beers snack. Pulled pork & garlic-fried potatoes. (at @gbbf) https://t.co/WOdMJXVkDr pic.twitter.com/9PK4GN5c9S

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 9, 2016

My favourite view. I'm cracking up. (@ Hand & Flower – @handfw14) https://t.co/BaN9flMWSJ pic.twitter.com/5MWcGBnNw0

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 9, 2016

London kurz vor Mitternacht Ortszeit. Ein Passant drückt mir ein Snickers in die Hand: “Have a safe journey!"… https://t.co/yzibDNx0BP

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 9, 2016

My review in German: „Hotel Earls Court Studios in London: Günstig, gut und großartig gelegen“

Bear with me … this one is in German and praises my favourite new restaurant discovery in London (The Little French Restaurant):

On my 2nd & final #GBBF day, I'll sample the other half of the 900 real ales, ciders, perries & international beers. pic.twitter.com/om8hQUikAd

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 10, 2016

At The Courtfield:

Another restaurant tip (Casita Andina in Soho):

Ye Olde Mitre Inn (review in German) is the pub where I first heard of the Great British Beer Festival in 2007:

Most important links & people in 4249 tweets about Great British Beer Festival: https://t.co/4QuBMxWMUC @tame_it #gbbf @gbbf @CAMRA_Official

— Peter Jebsen (@pjebsen) August 15, 2016

And what about the 32 beers, I hear you ask? I rated all of my tastings via Untappd:

Previous festivals
26 Beers in 2 Days (Looking back at London’s Great British Beer Festival 2015)
Power drinking: Two days at London’s Great British Beer Festival
Great British Beer Festival 2011: Trinken für den guten Zweck
Great British Beer Festival 2009: Drinking for a Good Cause
Great British Beer Festival 2009: The Beers
Ein halber Tag in London: Great British Beer Festival (Reisebericht)
Great British Beer Festival at Earl’s Court Exhibition Center

Peter Jebsen