Merchants Inn, Rugby

31st October 2011

On the first day of the week-long beer festival, held at The Merchants Inn, Rugby, sixteen of us went over on a minibus.  90 beers and 16 ciders were to be available during the week and were listed in the beer festival guide.  A smaller list was also provided showing What's on Today.

The festival was split between two bars, one in the main pub serving 15 beers and another in the "back room" with 21 beers and the 16 ciders.  All bar staff were appropriately dressed as it was Halloween night.

A good range of beers were available, of particular note were the stouts and porters - the Arbor Oyster stout and Wentworth's Vanilla & Almond Stout being two good examples.  Purity's Mad Goose bitter was also popular as was Adnam's Spiced Ale.

Excellent live entertainment was provided by Dr Busker (on the accordion) and the Wild Rovers singing topical folk type songs and who were still performing at 11 o'clock as we left.  Many of the folks attending had obviously seen him before and I would certainly like the opportunity to see him again!

Words & Photos by Jackie & Adrian Wallis