Beer

Butts Brewery, Great Shefford, Berkshire

Jester - 3.5% ABV

Easy this one, the Brewer decided to brew a beer of lower gravity and he’d asked one of the wholesalers what he thought it should be called. Jester was the result and actually fitted in well with the traditional Butts beers.

Barbus barbus - 4.6% ABV

This is where it all started to go pear shaped as far as branding goes. Barble bitter was one of the original ideas on day one. After being told it would just sell to a few quirky fishermen (of which the brewer is one) the idea was ditched. A landlord of a pub who’s car park doubled up for Kennet fishermen had suggested producing a beer to celebrate the opening of the coarse fishing season. His pub just so happened to be called the Butt! Thanks to an artistic friend who happened to work in a printers ¬ Barbus barbus (the latin name) was realised. Unfortunately this cost him his job.

The West Berkshire Brewery

Dr Hexter's Healer - 5% ABV

A strong brew with a strong flavour using a mix of three different hops to give a balanced beer with a citrus, orange and marmalade finish. Champion Strong Bitter in the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain London and South East Regional Beer of the Year Competition.

Good Old Boy - 4% ABV

Good Old Boy was one of West Berkshire Brewery’s very first brews back in 1995. It remains their best-selling beer today and has won many awards over its 16 year life. Champion Best Bitter in the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain London and South East Regional Beer of the year.

September 2011 Monthly Special - Wimble - 4.3% ABV

Special September monthly brew fm West Berkshire Brewery. A Darker Beer with rounded hop flavour.

The Ramsbury Brewery

Ramsbury Bitter - 3.6% ABV

An amber coloured beer using traditionally malted optic spring barley from the Marlborough Downs in Wiltshire. In addition golding hops are used to give a smooth delicate aroma and flavour.

Gold - 4.5% ABV

A rich golden coloured beer produced by blending optic malt, crystal malt and a small amount of torrified wheat. Added to this are goldings and styrian golding hops which give that distinctly light hoppy aroma and taste.

Tackle down under

Special monthly brew to commemorate the Rugby World Cup

Hook Norton Brewery

Hooky Bitter - 3.6% ABV

A subtly balanced, golden bitter, hoppy to the nose, malty on the palate - the classic session beer, eminently drinkable.

Hooky Gold - 4.1% ABV

A very pale, crisp beer, confidently displaying it’s hop character. The first Hook Norton beer to feature American hops. A fruity aroma and a pleasant, light taste.

Windy-bottom Brewery

Peewit - 4.2% ABV

An ideal session beer, traditionally brewed using Maris Otter malt and Styrian Goldings hops. Named after the birds that loop and call over the glorious downland that is home to this beer. Also the most local beer to the festival at less than 1km as the lapwing flies!

Budvar

Lager - 5% ABV

Cool and clear for the adolescent palate. One more step required to appreciate real ale.

Wine

White

- Sauvingon Blanc / Southbank Estate / Marlborough, New Zealand / 2010
Ripe gooseberry, Granny Smith apples and freshly mown grass aromas exude from the glass. A fresh, vibrant and zingy body of green and citrus fruits balance the wines racy acidity in a long, dry finish. Drinking at it's best now as an accompaniment to goats' cheese or seafood, or as an aperitif.

- Pinot Grigio / Serena / Banfi, Italy / 2010
Using only free-run juice means minimal skin contact for delicate colour and lightness of body. The warm Tuscan climate gives this Pinot Grigio grape the ripeness and softness that really brings out the pear, melon and banana aromas, and softens the acidity on the palate. A lively yet easy-going wine, which can be enjoyed on it's own, or with white fish of light poultry dishes.

- Chenin Blanc / Robertson Winery / Robertson Valley, South Africa / 2010
The Breede river running through the estate provides the cooling influance and provides this Chenin Blanc with excellent character and consistancy. Crammed full with pineapple, melon and green apple fruits complimented by a firm structure and balanced acidity. Enjoy with seafood or roast chicken.

- Chardonnay / Rayuela / Viu Manent, Chile / 2010
With very little oak influence, this wine places it's apple and melon fruit at centre stage, with soft, refreshing fruit flavours providing the body, and zesty acidity bolstering the crisp, dry finish. Enjoy on it's own or as a refreshing accompaniment for lightly spiced Mediterranean style seafood dishes.

Rose

- Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault / Chateau Guiot / Costieres de Nimes, France / 2010
The colour is obtained by keeping the skins in contact with the juice before fermentation. An aroma of red summer berries, spice and blossom with an off-dry, medium weight of fruit. A clean mineral acidity and a vibrant sweet redcurrant finish. Best enjoyed young as an aperitif of with some pasta dishes.

- Merlot / Yali / Colchagua Valley, Chile / 2010
A light and fruity rose with a soft watermelon backbone, embelished with hints of strawberry and cherry on the palate. A refreshing aperitif, it can also be enjoyed with salads, fish and light pasta dishes.

Red

- Tempranillo / Vina Eguia / Rioja , Spain / 2007
The traditional Crianza maturation sees this wine spending 12 months in American oak barrels and a further 12 months in bottle before release. Vivid red cherry in colour. The aromas show off the wine's oak ageing, with vanilla, coconut and balsamic notes coming to the fore. An elegant palate of ripe fruit framed by soft, polished tannins. The definitive accompaniment to tapas, especially those of red meat or cured cheeses.

- Sangiovense / Mandrielle / Banfi, Italy / 2009
Tuscany's signature red grape. Well defined notes of liquorice and cedar on the nose are followed by an intense yet meduim-bodied palate crammed with flavours of red and black cherries. Classic tomato-based Italian dishes rarely go better with anything else.

- Merlot / Bellingham Mocha Java / Costal Region, South Africa / 2010
The grapes are sourced from serveral low-yeilding bush vines, producing intensly flavoured fruit. Pronounced aromas of coffee, cocoa and black cherry characterise the intense nose. Smooth and full-textured on the palate, with harmonious oak and a long finish. Will partner a range of barbecued meats, grilled lamb chops or meaty pasta sauces.

- Malbec / Joffre / Mendoza, Argentina / 2009
Full bodied yet elegant, this wine is packed with expressive aromas of plum, cherry, vanilla and chocolate, following on to a rich yet subtle palate. Will drink well over next 2-3 years, this lighter Malbec can be drunk with meals such as poultry including goose.