Carry on Camping!                      
                             

A weekend at the Happisburgh Beer Festival

For years The Chap and I have said “We must go to a beer festival this year which offers camping!”.  However, by the time we get around to organising it, the ones that have nearby camping are always fully booked.  This year we decided to ‘book early’ (as Fred Pontin used to say) to ensure we could enjoy a beer festival in the Norfolk countryside without one of us being the designated driver (a dry old job, let me tell you).  So, in mid-June, tent at the ready, we made our way towards the coast for the Solstice Beer Festival at the Hill House Inn, Happisburg.

There is a camp site just behind the pub (Manor Caravan Park), on the cliffs overlooking the beach, so only a short crawl to bed after a few beers.  We had two nights of camping and two nights at the beer festival.  On arrival, the campsite was pretty empty.  After pitching our tent facing the sea I was ready for my first beer. The Chap, on the other hand thought otherwise; he thought we should do a long walk and earn our beer (sometimes I do wonder….).
                                                                                                  

After a very silent coast walk to Mundesley, we waited for a bus back to Happisburgh.  Boy was I parched.  On the bus, we got chatting to a lady called Mary.  She had travelled from Reepham, via Norwich, to get the festival.  If Mary was prepared to travel all that way then the beer must be good.  

The pub

                                                                                                                    
On the first evening, opening night, I thought I would ease myself in gently and start with Adnams Freewheel, a lovely light summer beer with fruit notes. The next little delight was Black Sheep's Monty Python's Holy Grail, a quirky little number.  Next up was Skinners Ginger Tosser - this beer really packs a punch!  This was followed by Sonnet 43's Raven Bourbon Milk, a cask conditioned Stout with a silky finish.  My final beer of the night was Amber's Chocolate Orange Stout, a smooth dark chocolate ale with a subtle hint of orange. This, in my opinion, was the best beer of the festival. 

The beers...and the bird

                                                                                                          
Lots more beer was consumed on the second day of the festival (lunchtime and evening!).  It was Friday and the pub was packed.  Visitors from far and wide arrived by bus, bike and coach.  Even Elvis turned up (the wonderful Peter King).  I tried several new beers and downed a few old favourites.  From what I can remember, and it is a little hazy I must admit, I drank Buffy’s, Beartown, Elgoods, White Horse, Green Jack and Harviestoun.   After all that beer, I should have slept soundly, but sadly, late-night revellers returning to their tents disturbed my beauty sleep.  Oh well, only to be expected I guess.

Elvis entertains

                                                                                                      

A strong cup of coffee and a good fry-up sorted us out the next morning.  The Halt Coffee Shop, which is accessed via the courtyard from the pub, is a real bonus for bleary-eyed campers.  Feeling refreshed, if not completely recovered, I helped The Chap pack up the tent.  I longed for a hot bath and my nice warm bed, whilst casually mentioning “We really must do this again next year”!!!

Always remember to set up camp before starting on the beer!

                                                                     

The Beer Bird

(first published in Norfolk Nips September 2017)