Bridgnorth Beer Festival 2022

It's fair to say that it has been an absolutely monumental week in the public life of the nation, for not only have we witnessed a change of Prime Minster but we've also sadly lost Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II after a remarkable 70 years of unstinting duty. It is against this backdrop of national mourning that Nick and I attend the Bridgnorth Beer Festival, the first time in eleven years that I'd sampled the town's real ale showcase...

- A Welcoming Sight -

I've visited Bridgnorth many times over the intervening years but not since 2011 had I been there on beer festival business, so Friday 9th September looks set to be quite an occasion. Nick joins me at Wolverhampton Bus Station ready to catch the 9 at 10:45, and after a steady journey via Compton, Wightwick and Worfield we alight near the Severn Valley Railway eager for our opening ales. The station has reclaimed its customary role as the festival's host venue and we're excited to see a large white marquee awaiting us as we stroll up the main driveway. Admission is free and we hand over £10 each for the requisite tokens, glass and programme.

- Duck Dastardly -

We'll consult the full listings in more detail shortly but for our first choices we take pot luck on whichever names happen to tickle our fancy. The Wacky Races fan in me means I've got to try 'Duck Dastardly', Green Duck Brewery's dandelion and burdock flavoured stout - I might not be sniggering like Muttley but it definitely brings a smile to my face! Nick meanwhile is drawn to North Cotswold's 'Millennium Monarch', a selection which seems highly appropriate for the circumstances. Little does he realise that he's gone straight in for the strongest beer on the entire lineup, just a mere 10%'s worth of brooding Belgian brownness. Needless to say he takes one sip and decides to proceed with the necessary caution. 

- The All-Important Beer Tent -

Even though it's still early on the Friday lunchtime, the event is proving very popular with many of the tables already claimed. We grab a perch under a Hobson's jumbrella and make that our base for the next couple of hours, gradually working our way through the programme and predominantly targeting the darker brews. 'Raspberry Ram Stout' from Kinver proves a particular favourite - there's no disguising the full fruit flavour in that one - while Beat's 'Metal Head Stout' rates similarly highly with its suggestions of vanilla, chocolate and blackcurrant. Admittedly I do break ranks at one point by picking a golden ale, in this case 'Birt's Bitter', brewed at the All Nations in Madeley as a tribute to their much-missed late landlord.

- 34027 Elizabeth II in Jubilee Purple -

While the beer takes star billing in our eyes, the wider station setting is an ideal location and we can't resist poking our heads onto the platforms to see what's happening. GWR locomotive 4930 Hagley Hall is attracting much attention having been returned to steam for the first time in 30 years, a major preservation achievement. We also note the unmistakable presence of Engine No. 34027 Taw Valley which was renamed Elizabeth II and painted in a very fetching shade of regal purple for the Diamond Jubilee - alas the Queen's recent passing means we should treasure those summertime celebrations all the more now.

- Bell & Talbot Artwork -

As Nick drains every last drop of 'Jaipur' from his glass, we bid the festival goodbye and see what the rest of Bridgnorth has to offer ale-wise. A short uphill walk to Salop Street brings us happily to the Bell & Talbot, a lovely old free house that's about as traditional as they come. A courtyard mural and bulging barrel beams are part of the appeal as we settle in the small front bar to imbibe of faultless Ludlow Gold. Shropshire is a county blessed with a sleepy character where the pace of life seems to slow right down, and here in the Bell & Talbot you could easily lose yourself in timeless conversations and good-natured banter. 

- Our Royal in The Royle -

We need to make sure we catch the 16:50 bus home so we've an hour with which to avoid the sudden sharp downpours and collect a couple more halves. To that end, we scamper to the Bear, a Northgate hostelry just through the arch from the town museum. As a Craft Union establishment this proves (relatively) cheap and cheerful with good quality Timothy Taylor's Landlord that passes our taste test. Our ultimate destination then simply has to be the Royle (formerly Bailey's Bistro), if only so that Nick can parade his Charles-like facial features. Wye Valley HPA meets Ludlow Stairway for our closing tipples, and it has been a most successful afternoon. Cheers, and God Save The King!