Shout if you love Real Ale

[Dark Star]

Ah, but that depends on how quickly you drink it!

snip

With bottles I've never understood why they make the equivalent beer stronger. If a brew is a different strength they should give it a different name.

[Kowalski]

Big Shout For GUINNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And real ale of course.

[Staberinde]

<rant on>

OK the WBC are, in my mind, a bunch of W**kers & should be kicked off site.

They don't understand that there are workers on both sides of the bar. Charging so much & providing little choice is insulting to the people they claim to represent.

They took over a backstage bar from an independent because it was doing so well. They went to ME & whinged that it wasn't fair.

They closed the bar at 11:30 at night!

Remember this was for backstage, where many of the performers who camped there didn't finish working until 1-2 in the morning! Ripping of the workers.

They sold & charged the same as they did to in the on-site bars until a certain Ms Churchill had a word in their ear. Again ripping of the workers!

A couple of years ago they handed it back to ME as it was do so badly (they couldn't work out why!) & is now back being run very successfully independently, except all supplies have to order through the WBC.

They tried to prevent certain drinks being ordered because they thought were too strong & would lead to the ruin of the reputation of Glastonbury by having a load of drunks wandering all over the place!!

Again a quiet word (well, more like telling them where to go) got them to change their minds.

They really do think they're God's gift.

<rant off>

We've looked into having a go at brewing our own down there, but the brewing process seems too long.

[Dave F.]

Bloody Hell, that is ine impressive rant Dave.

I know nothing of what goes on in any of the bars, sounds like there is a lot of politicking going on.

Can I ask more about yourself and how you know these things? (that was politely meant)

Anyone else know more about what goes on withing the WBC?

Edited February 8, 2009 by Dave F.

[Staberinde]

Sure.

Well, the on site stuff is observable by us all. The real ale isn't kept that well & often come with a 2"+ head on it. I know a head is personal preference, but that big is just taking the michael. It also usually runs out about mid-day Saturday.

I've never understood why a supposed socialist organization such as the WBC have an ethos of "No, we know what you want & you'll have what you're given". To me, they appear to be Ms Thatcher in different coloured cloth.

The closing of a backstage bar at 11:30 (I think I may be being generous. It may have been even earlier.) was the nail in the coffin for me. They had absolutely no idea what they were meant to be doing, or why they were doing it.

On a positive, I support the idea of a depositable plastic cup rather than the waxed paper ones.

http://workersbeer.thewebbureaus2.com/re-usable-cup.aspx

I want to emphasize, these are my personal opinions based on my experiences & have no links to the WBC or any other bars, other than leaning against them to sup ale.

I've been a punter since '83 & have been lucky enough to work/camp backstage (not the main stages thankfully!) for the past few years, so it comes from being there & talking to the people who are running the bars/backstage areas.

The landlord of my local was offered all Glastonbury bars (back in '95, I think) by ME. He turned the offer down. He (& many others) now regrets it.

[alframsey]

You're joking?

[Martin Ashford]

Love my ale me. Will be supping a few when Wales thrash England next Saturday!

[ivan]

I'll be up for that. I remember Chocsoffer and I were going to meet up with you last year but never made it. It was on the wednesday I think. I was forced to wait by my tent in all afternoon waiting for Nico and his brother.

Such is Glasto.

Will you be wearing a dress this year? (again?)

[Staberinde]

Aye , I will .

Prob going for a business woman's suit again !

Was at the NME tour in Leeds last night , first gig of the year , cannot wait for June. Due to arrive

Pilton 8.00 am Weds. All our crew can look after themselves so no waiting around for us ! , will

be down at Brothers for 11.00 am opening hopefully !

[ivan]

hey guys,

it sound to me like Ivan has just invited us all to meet at the BB at 11 on Wednesday ready for a treck up to the red flag!!!!

(I made a resolution last year - I'm not arranging any meetings etc )

[Staberinde]

Came across this old picture of The Red Flag, the really good real ale bar...

This old map from '05 shows it's location in the accoustic field. The map is wey out of date now, but you get the gist.

[ivan]

Ah the Red Flag !

The reason Ivan was very late for The Levellers last year !

I know it is not far to walk from the Accoustic Field to the Leftfield , but hey , I could just not get off

my chilled butt !

[Tugger2k]

thought i'd resurrect this

just getting very excited about this time in just 11 weeks time i'll be heading for the red flag for a few flagon's

bliss

[Staberinde]

thought i'd resurrect this

just getting very excited about this time in just 11 weeks time i'll be heading for the red flag for a few flagon's

bliss

[ivan]

hey guys,

it sound to me like Ivan has just invited us all to meet at the BB at 11 on Wednesday ready for a treck up to the red flag!!!!

(I made a resolution last year - I'm not arranging any meetings etc )

[Sam Crawley]

thought i'd resurrect this

[Tugger2k]

after a few ESB's tonight, im even more in the mood for a few @ the red flag

[Sam Crawley]

after a few ESB's tonight, im even more in the mood for a few @ the red flag

[Staberinde]

If I do not go clubbing too late on Weds night I should be OK for a Thursday meet at the Red Flag on the lunchtime then do a Real Ale Trail from there.

OOOOOOOh excited !

[RevKev]

after a few ESB's tonight, im even more in the mood for a few @ the red flag

[Tugger2k]

I live about 15 mins away from the Fullers Brewery..ESB and Pride, both lovely drops

mmmmmm beer

[denwyn]

Ahh....The nectar of life...although i did try a couple of pear ciders last year..not that bad as it happens...but give me a good glass of real ale anyday...

[timespeedsup]

I'm shouting

Will someone post when there's a good deal on tins of something decent in the next couple of months? Got a fine price on boxes of Old Speckled Hen before Xmas but haven't noticed that deal since.

Must have a half-day at the Acoustic Stage anyways, to get the best out of the Real Ale tent. It's a little too far from me usually.

[samirocks]

all hail the ale! i cant touch anything else, apart from scotch! that bar near the acoustic stage is great i frequented it a fair bit last year.... and the year before that! also the jazz lounge had some ale on tap which was rather good! i usually end up with cans....in the past i have managed to get some good deals at me supermarket, was on the abbott ale last year and also had some hobgoblin, not a big fan of fullers though as its a bit pricey and local to me (london) but i dont think it travels that well! Adnams is quality (broadside) does anyone no if u can get it in cans? suppose i may and try to get 6X this year. has anyone tried ruddles county with rhubarb?

[hombrederayo]

I think Ive said it already in this thread, but whenever anyone who is also camping at CT is going down to the real ale tent, let me know!

this will be my 4th glasto and until reading this thread I didnt even know there was one!

this will have to be rectified this year.

I did think it was odd that somewhere like glasto didnt have a proper ale bar.