Possibly the longest bar in the country, the start of the London City of Beer initiative and the return of English wines, make the 23rd Ealing Beer Festival a truly Olympian event.

The festival held between 4th and 7th July in the magnificent surrounds of Walpole Park, will have all the beer being served from one 300 ft (91m) bar for the first time.

Festival organiser, Graham Harrison, says:

''Since moving to Walpole Park we have been the victims of our own success.
Visitor numbers have doubled, which means we need to offer twice as much beer and the old layout, with two expanded marquees, would just not have worked logistically. The solution we have come up with is one large marquee with an amazing 100 yard bar!''

Once again 200 real ales from all parts of the country will be the main attraction. In addition, there will be a good range of traditional ciders and perries together with a selection of foreign beers mostly from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

So what better place to launch London City of Beer? This initiative is being coordinated by the London branches of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) to promote beer and pubs to visitors to London throughout the summer. There are brewery tours, pub crawls, food and beer events as well as beer festivals of course.

But despite the fact that CAMRA believes there is a beer to suit most palates, the festival knows it can't persuade everyone. So new for 2012 will be an assortment of English wines.
Festival organiser, Graham Harrison, observed :

''Many of our customers have asked us for a wine option so that they can bring non-beer drinking friends and partners. This has given us the opportunity to support the English wine trade, which is overlooked by most pubs and supermarkets. Whilst they are here wine drinkers may also wish to try our increasingly popular British and foreign fruit beers.''

The festival will be opened by Dave Saunders from Marstons Brewing Company based in Burton
upon Trent who brew Old Empire. There will also be various other events during the four days
including a beer tutored tasting led by beer writer Christine Cryne as well as meet the brewer
sessions with the Weird Beard and Ellenberg Brewery – both setting up in Hanwell later this year.
Back by popular demand after an absence of several years is Northfield Avenue caterer Bronek who will offer the Polish dish Bigosh along with a selection of daily specials. The Crusty Pie Company will return with a wonderful selection of pies in all sizes. New for 2012 is Merry Berry Truffles who specialise in matching chocolates to complement beers. The real meat sausage company and the Fish & Chip van complete the food line-up complemented by snacks at the bar.Body text here

June 28th 2012