We aim to hold regular Beer Festivals throughout the year, to showcase a wide range of the magnificent ales which are produced in the region.
Admission to the festivals is free, and it will be possible to purchase tickets entitling the holder to enjoy up to ten half-pints at reduced prices (further discounts are available both to Friends of The Padwell and to members of CAMRA).
We also aim to run courtesy mini-buses between the pub and both Sevenoaks and Borough Green rail stations – please ring for details.
Our Beer Festivals tend to be themed on something appropriate to the time of year at which they take place. Thus far, we have had a Harvest Festival (September), and a Winter Festival & Wassail (January). Next on the agenda – a Beltane Festival to be held in May 2012.
The Festivals provide an excellent opportunity for us to host as many local Folk Arts groups and musicians as possible; we’ve had morris sides, clog dancers, mummers, live rock, folk and acoustic bands, wassailers, drummers, torchlit processions, fireworks, fancy dress competitions and much more – come along and enjoy your local pub and the people who support it at their very best !
Next on the agenda, not exactly a beer festival, but rather a Beer Tasting Event. Friday 17th February is the date (7:45 for 8:00pm), and we will be joined by the head brewers themselves from four or five local breweries:
Old Dairy Brewery
Hop Daemon
The Kent Brewery
Tonbridge Brewery
Goachers
Each guest will be given the floor in order to make a brief presentation on behalf of their establishment, setting out their particular style and approach, and everyone in attendance will then be invited to sample up to four representative ales (per brewery), with each of the following being offered by the participants:
a session beer (below 4% ABV)
a premium beer (over 4% ABV)
a golden or pale ale
a stout or porter
You’ll then be askked to give a mark to each beer you have tried, and those which prove to be the most popular will be on the pumps in the pub within a fortnight.
Unfortunately, we can only accommodate a maximum of fifty tasters for the evening to keep things to a manageable level. We’ll be making a buffet available to offset the onerous task of having to sample getting on for twenty different magnificent ales, if you can stand the pace . There will be a entry fee of £10.00 per person to cover the cost of the food, and of the beers which you will be able to enjoy. Please take the opportunity to come along and play a part in determining what ales we are going to stock for the next few months – thanks !
