Expectations were high after last years great festival - and this years certainly didn't disappoint. Running Thurs-Sat, myself, Dan, Rob and a few of his mates headed to the Friday afternoon session. Dan and I met up in the Alexandra at 3pm, where we suffered a poor example of Shepherd Neam's finest seasonal - Late Red. Not inclined to buy another we made the short walk to the festival.

Two quid for entry and pint glass was up on last year, but still cheap. This also included the festival handout, complete with brief but descriptive beer notes. There were over 50 ales on offer, and whilst I started on the weaker 4%-ers, Dan dived straight in with a Croak & Stagger - the third strongest on the list, at 5.6%. Fortunately there was plenty of comfortable seating again, and we positioned ourselves next to the eatery serving hatch for easy access to grub.

After a couple of decent pints it was deemed time for food - Dan with his staple diet of bacon baguettes; and myself with one of sausage. Completely hit the spot, and providing something to soak up the next 6 hours of booze. Rob + co arrived around 5pm and the drinking began in earnest. After only 3 pints I made a switch to the Belgian beer bar, which had a selection of over 30 bottles. Here I enjoyed a nice mix of cherry, chocolate, spicy and raspberry beers - ranging up to 9% in strength. Needless to say, more sausage baguettes were parken in.

Brewer	Region	Name	ABV	Tasting Notes	Rating
Shepherd Neame	Kent	Late Red	4.5	Poor pint of a quality beer - either end of barrel or not popular enough at this pub	6/10
Bath	Bristol	Gem	4.1	Smooth chestnut ale. Good mix of hops and malt with a slight sweet aftertaste	8/10
Mordue	Tyne&Wear	Workie Ticket	4.5	Nice caramelly, sweet, malty chestnut beer	8/10
Orkney	Scotland	Dark Island	4.6	Incredibly smooth, ruch, burnt black bitter. Velvet in a glass	9/10
Bellvue	Belgium	Kriek	5.2	Tasty, tasty alcoholic cherries	8/10
Cottage	Somerset	Norman's Conquest	5.0	Dark bitter with a spicy and alcoholic taste	7/10
Delirium	Belgium	Tremens	9.0	Strong but palatable	7/10
Floris	Belgium	Chocolate	4.2	Chocolate beer. Life don't get much better	9/10
Bellevue	Belgium	Framboise	5.2	illegible	8/10
Fruli	Belgium	Ninkeberry	3.9	illegible	illegible

At around 9-ish, Dan and I headed off to get the train back - which included a half hour mission in Chatham trying to find an ATM. The plan to go down to the local on return was dropped in favour of the offy - where Dan stocked up on more booze, and I bought out their supply of Pringles and Ben&Jerrys.

An early start the next morning began with breakfast in the locoal Weatherspoons - where the £3.50 Farmhouse more than helped my uneasy stomach. Think double egg, double bacon, double sausage, beans, tomato, mushroom, triple hash brown and toast. Feeling I should probably counteract with a healthy drink I went for a Reef (well...it's almost orange juice...), whilst Dan got straight back on the beer horse with a strong Polish lager. Reaching noon, we ambled our way through town trying to find an open pub - failed - and headed to the local for some pool. Here I got on to alternating Guinness and Strongbow - whilst Dan tried a selection of lagers. A final trek up to the station allowed for a few more pints (sticking to a similar format as before) in the Heron and some more pool. Unfortunately engineering works on Sunday meant an early return for Dan on the Saturday - but roll on next year when we can hopefully get a proper second session in!