Greenwich raises a glass to fine ales

By John Hill on July 18, 2008 5:26 PM |

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ALE lovers are swarming to Greenwich's first beer festival in 17 years.

The Old Royal Naval College is hosting the first Greenwich Beer and Jazz Festival until Sunday, with a glorious selection of suds and sounds on offer for the Eastender who appreciates good brewing.

This year's debut event features the wares of 37 different breweries across the UK, as well as a soothing and foot-tapping array of fine tunes.

It is taking place under the expert eye of the South East London branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Go to www.greenwichbeerandjazz.com for more details, or see Wharf photographer Louisa Emery's photos of the event here.

Five top beers to try:

Beast (Exmoor brewery, Somerset - 6.6%) - a dark mahogany-brown ale with an aroma of toffee, treacle and mocha coffee

Sussex Best (Harvey's brewery, Lewes - 4%) - A full, well-hopped bitter. Champion best bitter of Britain at the Great British Beer Festivals in 2005 and 2006

India Pale Ale (Meantime, Greenwich - 7.5%) - A light copper-coloured beer with a strong hoppy taste, described as "a glassful of hop wine"

Gold Star (Goachers, Maidstone - 5.1%) - Pale ale with floor-malted barley, made with East Kent aroma hops

Anniversary Ale (Sierra Nevada, California - 5.9%) - A signature India Pale Ale made by the American brewer with Cascade hops. Available in bottles at the festival.