Review by Jason Boardman
We have just got back from Vessel Beer Festival in the marvellous Plymouth Guildhall.
The event carefully curated by Sam and Katie Congdon who run the Independent Beer shop Vessel in the city showcased a wide range of independent and micro brewers from the South West alongside some big hitters of the national and international scene.
Vessel Beer Festival which is only in its 2nd year is keen to highlight the local beer and cider scene and provide their clientele with a great opportunity to sample some stunning locally brewed beverages of all styles in the friendliest environment imaginable.
Local micro indies Black Flag , New Lion, Roam, Stannary and Woodman’s showed the diverse nature of the developing local scene offering everything from sessionable pales to barrel aged sours. Pouring alongside the more established Moor, Siren, Verdant , Yonder and Wild Beer Co the event showcased the diversity and quality of what is on offer in the region.
The North was equally well represented by Cloudwater, Kirkstall, North Brewing, Northern Monk, Pomona Island and Track, the midlands by the excellent Black Iris and further afield Nederlands brewers De Molen and Frontaal all .
A carefully curated team of Independent streetfood vendors from Plymouth completed the whole with The Hutong Café offering craft coffee and bakes, No Whey the dirty vegan options and Hangry the equally dirty carnivore delights.
Ticketweb provided the operational support for the events ticketing needs, ensuring everyone went from door to bar super quick at all three sessions!
Our Vessel Beer Festival Top Ten:
- Stannary Brewing Co – Craft Beer Ruined My Life – NEIPA
- Pilton – Pomme Pomme – Keeved Cider & Quince
- Track – Birthday Series No3 – NEIPA
- Cloudwater Brew – All The Things They Say, Tell Us All The Things They Are – Blood Orange & Passionfruit & Vanilla Sour
- Black Flag – Nervous Breakdown – DIPA
- Black Iris – Anarchists Across The Pond – NEIPA
- Northern Monk – Dancing In The Mooblight – DIPA
- Roam – Nomad – Pale Ale
- Siren – Caribbean White Chocolate Cake – Tropical White Stout
- The Hutong Café – Cortado
Big ups to Sam, Katie, the volunteers, brewers and attendees for making Vessel Beer Festival 2019 a brilliant event, we can’t wait to see what 2020 will bring!
