Yesterday (Wednesday 29 October 2025) was the third and final day of the Waterfront part of the beer festival, although it now moves to Castle Social in the Castle Quarter.
For this final day, I moved to the ticket desk for a bit to staff operations (this area was a remote operating ground for glasses & tokens, away from our central base), with Martin ably assisting me which was very noble as he had a cold draft rushing towards him. He is a former festival organiser and what he doesn’t know about CAMRA isn’t really worth knowing.
Sue never stops working, here she is checking the glasses and planning her next toffee.
It was thought easier just to move the beer nearer to me, this was the end of the Wiper & True Sunset Dreams Rhubarb Margarita.
And some Kriek. That’s not my spelling could I just mention here.
Here is Andy looking longingly at me, he was one of our glasses team earlier in the week who was back as a customer. He’s another one that Roy and I will let come back next year, we’ve had that discussion. There isn’t actually anyone we won’t let back to be fair.
Ivan was on top form once again and I say this primarily as he brought me sweets and crisps, it’s that kind of attention to detail that gets so much praise. Here he is offering his latest suggestions to Sandy.
I heard a rumour that there were free sausage rolls available at the cider stand. I think I was the first there…. These were quite delicious but I wouldn’t have wanted more than 17.
And on the same theme, the free food option was pie and I was delighted at this. Here’s the steak and ale pie, with chips and gravy. Very lovely.
Some of the wooden casks.
Roy and Chris busy sign removing as the takedown began.
I don’t interfere with the cellar team, which is unofficially headed by Ivan (I don’t know if the cellar team know this), but I did take some cooler jackets off. This is the limit of my cellar competence, so I withdrew quickly after this in case I broke something. Or myself.
And that was then time at the bar. I might have some videos of Ivan calling time to surprise and delight my loyal blog readers. Both of them.
The takedown begins in earnest. Now everything gets moved back to the beer store or to Castle Social.
I’ve already written about days one and two at the Waterfront, and also at Redwell, so now it’s time for me to list my favourite beers from the last few days. So that’s anything I’ve rated as 4 or above on Untappd (and hello to my new Untappd friends this week!). Ooooh, beer friends…
This Circle is You from Pentrich Brewing (soft, hazy and fruity)
Mango Unchained from Elephant School Brewing Co (lots of mango, fruity and robust)
Sunset Dreams from Wiper & True (lovely rhubarb flavour, moderately tart)
Berry Sour from Five Points Brewing Company (delicious, raspberries, fruit, gently tart and just a bit decadent)
Stupid & Contagious from Liquid Light Brew Co (very agreeable, stone fruit, hazy and delicious)
Imperial Stout from Lacons (smooth, rich and decadent)
Chicha Sour from Hammerton Brewery (gently sour, fruity, fluffy and delicious)
Lord Wimount from Moon Gazer (caramel, malty and sweet)
Lamanva from Verdant (malty, biscuity, fluffy)
Mild from Penzance Brewing Company (a very decent milk, creamy, chocolate and biscuity)
Knock the Corners from Howling Hops (toffee and biscuit, nicely rounded)
Stay Rad from Nene Valley Brewery (citrusy, dry and good with chocolate)
Peanut Butter Stout from North Riding Brewery (chocolate and peanuts, smooth and nearly decadent)
Dia De Los Muertos from Hammerton Brewery (a lot of chilli on this, but chocolate as well and interesting)
Cherry Porter from Mr Winters (cherry, chocolate and smooth)
Many thanks to Craig and the volunteer team for having so many delicious beers, and I will continue to ignore his comments about my not liking beer that tastes of beer 🙂 I’m not volunteering this weekend but I’ll likely go and annoy someone by popping in to see the event at Castle Social.
Hopefully next year we’ll be back at the Halls, but the Waterfront team were very helpful throughout, with the venue proving to be a really decent back-up.