Sunday 18 July 2010

The Star Inn Summer Beer Festival, Huddersfield


Another personal favourite pub of mine in Huddersfield is the Star Inn at Folly Hall. The Star is a traditional styled pub, welcoming atmosphere, wooden beams, log fire and an interesting collection of old and new beer posters framed on the walls. The pub usually as about 9 rotating guest ales on at anyone time each in superbly kept condition. The pub is free from the current infestation of good pubs which consist of jukeboxes, game machines and televisions leaving just the noise of fellow drinkers and the occasional barking from Folly the pub dog which adds to the charm of the place.
A friend of mine who accompanied me on a recent visit made an obscure but strangely appropriate comment whilst looking at the ceiling lights that had several blown bulbs, he stated that he liked the fact that they hadn't been replaced because you can tell that the pub concentrates more on its beer than the features and fittings, I kind of agree with him.

4 times a year, the Star hosts its own beer festival. This time around it was it's summer (obviously) beer festival held in its own marquee at the back of the pub.
The festival runs for 5 days (Wed till Sunday) although there usually isn't much left on the Sunday. The festival hosts 46 beers in the marquee and 9 changing beers in the actual pub. Food is available alongside local produce such as cakes, honey, cheese and more beer in bottle form which I unfortunately didn't get to try due to the fact I had spent all my money on beer tokens for the festival.



Beer of festival went to local brewer Mallinsons with Blue Sky Dreaming, 3.7%. I sampled this on Saturday and found it to be a very tasty, easy drinking, hoppy beer. It wasn't however my personal favourite.
My beer of the festival would be a tie between Honey Blonde 4.5% from the Liverpool Organic Brewery, a delicious golden honey beer and Kitty Wilkinson 4.5% again from the Liverpool Organic Brewery, a very rich vanilla and chocolate porter both of these were in my opinion stunning beers.
All in all after several visits I can conclude that Sam and the team at the Star have again provided an excellent festival, roll on autumn for the next one.

1 comment:

  1. Just seen your lovely write up thank you. Could I just add that the bulbs are out intentionally as if they are lit it is too bright and we like it snuggly x

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