What's the best thing to do the weekend before starting a new job? Rest? Prepare? Or just go and get drunk at a beer festival? Guess which was more appealing..... 

Was a nice fest - not too busy. Letchworth is on the commuter line between London and Stevenage, but clearly noone was coming out for the lunchtime session on Friday - so it was mostly old people and a few of the local dossers (and us!) 

Good, very well kept beers - and out of the 44 there we sampled around 10 each. Food was something to be desired though (the "real man" curry could only be described as mild at a stretch, and contained broccoli, carrot and courgettes.....sacrelidge!) Some of the best and most comprehensive tasting notes I've seen. 

Brewer	Region	Name	ABV	Tasting Notes	Rating
Skinners	Cornwall	Keel Over	4.2%	A bit watery in texture, with only a slightly sharp flavour to offer	5/10
Kelham Island	Sheffield	Pale Rider	5.2%	Straw coloured and tastes strong - a bit harsh	5/10
Red Squirrel	Hertford	No 1 Bitter	4.1%	Quite drak, malty, but nothing special	6/10
Red Squirrel	Hertford	Conservation	4.1%	Dark and a bit spicy (although that may be due to the chilli crisps...)	6/10
Ventnor	Isle of Wight	Pistol Night	4.4%	Straw and hazy - smells very much of homebrew, but flavour is suprisingly light, citrusy and refreshing	7/10
Harveiston	Clacks	Schehallion	4.8%	A lager (shock, horror), but very fruity, citrusy and nice aftertaste	8/10
Breconshire	Wilts	Sunspot	4.6%	Very light Pilsner style beer. very smooth, slightly sweet	7/10
Youngs	London	Elysium	4.3%	Not bitter, quite harmless flavour	6/10