The Snooty Fox, an award winning pub on Grosvenor Avenue, held its sixth real ale festival last weekend.
The independent celebration of real ale offered pub regulars and beer enthusiasts a selection of 25 ales, stouts and bitters made with ingredients selected specially for the four day event which ran from 4 to 7 October.
Attracting 200 visitors, the ‘Top of the Hops’ festival comprised beers which showcase the diverse range of hops used in brewing, including Sorachi hops from Japan, in Ascot’s Konichiwa beer; Moteuka hops from New Zealand, in Dark Star’s Kiwi beer; and Chinook hops from the US iin Red Willow’s Ageless IPA.
Bar Manager at the pub, Sam Weston, explained how the Snooty Fox had been in close collaboration with micro brewers in the UK and abroad in preparation for the festival with some hops being picked as little as twelve hours before they were brewed to retain their freshness.
He said: “Ale is a living thing and it really takes something to make it work. It’s exciting for us and it has a great community feel. It’s a great way to try new things like a chocolate and vanilla stout.”
David ‘Mac’ Mackenzie, a veteran ale enthusiast who had travelled from Twickenham to attend the festival said: “It does a lot of good for the industry, microbreweries and events like this. They’ve an excellent selection.”
