Beer Festival, Chappel, North Essex
Every second week in September, the East Anglian Railway Museum plays host to the Chappel Beer Festival. This year, the festival kicks off on Tuesday 9th Sept and continues until Saturday 13th Sept.

Free camping is provided in an adjacent field, 200 yards walk from the venue itself. The backdrop couldn't be more atmospheric, in the midst of the gentle rolling Essex countryside and right next to a massive Victorian brick viaduct.

I hope that some of b3ta's great and good can take a couple of days off, pitch tents/caravans etc and relax in the late summer sunshine with a few beers...

See you there.

*Edit - Update*

The best days to attend are Weds/Thurs, as the venue gets very busy towards the end of the week. Not only that, but the decent beer tends to run out on a Friday night too.

Try and get there earlier in the week to avoid the queues and potential disappointment at the bar.
(PJM Has had his cover well and truly blown, Thu 29 May 2008, 10:04, Reply)

(tent)atively signing up
As I'm not sure if I'd be able to get time off work, but would aim for the Friday at least
( beckyjsbx http://xkcd.com/308/, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 20:37, Reply)

I hope I can get:
I like camping, beer is nice, and er, I like museums. And viaducts. And the chance to talk shite.
( crackhouseceilidhband I'd sell your heart to the junkman baby for a buck, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 20:40, Reply)

Well,
since other people have signed up I will too. I've hardly got any holiday left before next April, but it sounds fun so I may well go on the Thursday night and stay all day Friday.

If I am going, I may be able to offer some lifts from teh London village
( althegeordie A bullying, attention seeking AIDS-Bastard, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 20:47, Reply)

.
*books seat in Al's car*

*face licking optional*
( beckyjsbx http://xkcd.com/308/, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 21:18, Reply)

Unfortunately
we shan't be able to make this one. Tourettes will be back at work then, so unable to get the time off.

Arse.
( Davros' Granddad is patient, reserved and measured in equal doses, Mon 23 Jun 2008, 15:08, Reply)

That's a pity DG & Sweary
We'll have to catch up another time though, I feel a pint coming on...
(PJM Has had his cover well and truly blown, Wed 2 Jul 2008, 17:27, Reply)

Hmmm
Maybe. Just maybe.

Essex has it's attractions, but my budget is poorly. I shall see what I can manage.

Damn you lovely b3tans being so lovely I want to see you all again!

The bash for me was like a mass first date - I could have snogged you all.
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 21:56, Reply)

Did not go to the first bash
but I can see what you mean.

Maybe we should arrange a b3ta orgy.
( mistaspakkaman caught a disease, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 0:54, Reply)

"Essex has it's attractions"
You mean me?
(Kaol - Master of Disguise, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 11:49, Reply)

Yes Kaol
I can't get enough of vomity trousers.
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 12:59, Reply)

I has a mini
so I can take a couple of peoplefrom London too.

Yay camping and beer!
( Madam Marlboro and that's what killed Richard, Sat 21 Jun 2008, 23:36, Reply)

* tentatively does not sign up *
Methinx this might push me over my trip limit so I may have to sit this one out, but who knows what may happen. Would like to go camping. Have a tent but not used it in 3 years.
( mistaspakkaman caught a disease, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 1:20, Reply)

Right...
Well I live in North Essex, as it happens, but I'm about to move back in with my parents, who are a bit rubbish, otherwise I'd be more than happy for people to crash with me if needed.

On the plus side, I may well have a car by then, so if anyone has issues that rewuire them being piced up from a station, I'm more than happy to help (depending on car).

I'm up for this anyway. Although I don't like beer or camping.
The company better damn-well be worth it...
(Kaol - Master of Disguise, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 12:12, Reply)

I like camping
but not beer, but will probably still be achey from camping at a festival a few weeks before. Any convenient haystacks around?
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Sun 22 Jun 2008, 13:01, Reply)

I love camping and beer
And I has lots of camping things. Including a gas hob and coffee making equipment. And tent action. And a frying pan.

YAAAAY CAMPING!
YAAAAY BEER!
( Madam Marlboro and that's what killed Richard, Mon 23 Jun 2008, 18:51, Reply)

Tent action eh?
Now i'm really tempted to turn up!
( althegeordie A bullying, attention seeking AIDS-Bastard, Thu 26 Jun 2008, 9:35, Reply)

Hopefully
I can help you with your erection. I'm experienced in such matters.
( Madam Marlboro and that's what killed Richard, Wed 9 Jul 2008, 22:44, Reply)

I have neither any camping gear
nor any camping inclination! So I may just pop up for one of the days if I can get a day off work. Anyone care to advise me as to which day would be best to visit? Are y'all gonna be there for the whole thing?
( clendrix was told that oral sex never makes things awkward, Tue 24 Jun 2008, 17:54, Reply)

Not sure yet
I think plans will shape up nearer the time.
( Madam Marlboro and that's what killed Richard, Wed 25 Jun 2008, 17:46, Reply)

Best Days
The Beer Fest tends to get rammed with more people and ergo less decent beer towards the end of the week.

The best time to go is Weds/Thurs nights. You're more or less guaranteed to avoid a long wait at a crowded bar and a decent selection of drinks should be available.
(PJM Has had his cover well and truly blown, Mon 11 Aug 2008, 16:24, Reply)

I would reall really really love to attend this as it is only down the road from me
but I will be in London :(

Next year though. Yes.
( Wicca'd Witch - the only ZOMGIRL on Syncubus' ignore list., Mon 28 Jul 2008, 12:15, Reply)

beer!
beer beer beer beer!

oh god this month is going to be painful. qotw bash this weekend, 606 bash in Swansea on the 30th then a beer fest, oh well fuckit!
(Halfy in 14% of recent cases death was found to be fatal, Mon 18 Aug 2008, 15:33, Reply)

Knickers
I'm going to be in London that evening for a meeting the next day.

Fucksocks.
( Davros' Granddad is patient, reserved and measured in equal doses, Fri 22 Aug 2008, 18:29, Reply)

Right
I have been informed that I am actually going to be at a wedding in cocking Devon for this.

Fucksocks.
( Madam Marlboro and that's what killed Richard, Mon 25 Aug 2008, 17:17, Reply)

Well, that's poo!
Just as I've decided to sign up too... :(

Still, weddings = more important than B3ta bashes!
( Devil_In_Tights - A cheese and onion union jack tickler it is!, Mon 25 Aug 2008, 17:45, Reply)

I shall do my best!
Most likely towards the end of it all, if you're all still there!
( Devil_In_Tights - A cheese and onion union jack tickler it is!, Mon 25 Aug 2008, 17:46, Reply)

Possibly
I'm not too far from there.
( moogy boobles Hebbo, Tue 26 Aug 2008, 9:10, Reply)

Who'll be there when?
I'll be there, with Kaol, on the Saturday from sort of early afternoon ish til maybe the next morning if camping is do-able - and if I can be arsed to drag a tent across London to take it there..

Are people going to be there for the weekend bit or the mid week bit?
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Tue 26 Aug 2008, 20:24, Reply)

I can't make it to this one now
sorry
( beckyjsbx http://xkcd.com/308/, Tue 26 Aug 2008, 21:02, Reply)

It's much better to go mid-week
If you leave it until the weekend it gets very crowded and short on beer...

Best nights are Weds & Thurs.
(PJM Has had his cover well and truly blown, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 10:57, Reply)

I have
already booked off the wednesday and thursday in anticipation, weekends at beer festivals are universally rubbish, weekdays are much better for seasoned beer consumers in both quality of beverage and availability.

not that im talking from experience or anything, lalalalala
(Halfy in 14% of recent cases death was found to be fatal, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 12:16, Reply)

PJM and Halfy
OK, I understand that, but it hasn't quite answered my question. Does that mean you WON'T be there at the weekend? If that's the case, there's not much point me going along, as a non beer drinker who was going mainly for the company :)
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 22:23, Reply)

Hi Ancrenne
im on OOH cover that weekend so cannot do the friday or saturday im afraid, unless by some miracle the beertent has wifi.

Oh, I thought the plan was everyone to do the midweek :(
(Halfy in 14% of recent cases death was found to be fatal, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 9:30, Reply)

Hey Halfy
That may have been the plan but I just hadn't understood that.

I cannot be there midweek, can be there on the Saturday, and so if anyone else is, I will be.

If other people aren't planning to be there then, no point me going to look at beer I don;t want to drink :)
(ancrenne is a nana, apparently, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 11:57, Reply)

booo
but beer looks nice, and tastes better!

not sure about this festival but most do european lagers, cider and wine as well if that tickles your fancy?

otherwise phut, maybe third time lucky on the bash front :/

hmm, checking previous years it looks like beer only.

baah
(Halfy in 14% of recent cases death was found to be fatal, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 12:46, Reply)

sorry
after a stupidly expensive weekend in Swansea im now broke for the rest of the month :(

going to a casino at 1am after drinking all day strangely can be very expensive
(Halfy in 14% of recent cases death was found to be fatal, Mon 1 Sep 2008, 14:05, Reply)

All depending on my work
or lack thereof.
I will try to be there but I'm not sure what days or evenings.
(Mrs Liveinabin Christmas? Har bumhug!, Wed 27 Aug 2008, 22:49, Reply)

Well
I would only be able to go on the Friday and Saturday nights, so if people aren't going to be there and/or it's rubbish on those nights I think i'll give this a miss.

Does anyone fancy a QOTW mini-bash on the friday night on london village?
( althegeordie A bullying, attention seeking AIDS-Bastard, Thu 28 Aug 2008, 12:12, Reply)

I still don't know what I'm doing!
I am waiting to be told. However, if I do come up, it'll be for a few hours on the Saturday, I should think.
Al, did anyone respond to the drink suggestion on the Friday? Might be up for a quickie (shut up, everyone) if you decide to go ahead with that...
( clendrix was told that oral sex never makes things awkward, Sun 7 Sep 2008, 15:28, Reply)

Hmm...
looks like I'm ducking out of this one for sure.
( clendrix was told that oral sex never makes things awkward, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 17:58, Reply)

Riiiiiight...
If I'm coming to this (and if I am, ancrenne will be), then it'll be on the Saturday evening, then we could stay over.

Just want to know who'll be there for sure on Saturday, and if it's worth doing, or if it's gonna be a write-off this time.
(Kaol - Master of Disguise, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 9:14, Reply)

I'm gonna
Agree with Clendrix, the Saturday really isn't gonna happen by the looks of things.
(Kaol - Master of Disguise, Tue 9 Sep 2008, 19:40, Reply)

sorry guys
I can't say for sure that I can make it.

Too skint, sorry
(Mrs Liveinabin Christmas? Har bumhug!, Wed 10 Sep 2008, 18:31, Reply)