St.Peters Brewery Beer and Folk Festival, Suffolk

[peterryb]

Just returned from the above. First time this small, independent brewery has put on a festival like this; has tremendous potential to develop into something very big, or at least enjoyable, if not big. Unfortunetly very low numbers attending were a big diappointment for it's organizers, but there are several big plus points. Very well kept beers, at pub prices, from a variety of (mainly) East Anglian independent brewers, a beautiful rural setting- St. Peter's Brewey is housed in the grounds of St.Peter's Hall near Bungay in North Suffolk. This is a medieval manor house- stunning architecture, and tapestries inside, as well as a restaurant (inexpensive) and candle lit bar.At night especially a very surreal setting.Nice atmosphere amongst the friendly local youngsrters,many of whom are employed at the brewery.Seemingly remote, yet easy to get to from main towns in Norfolk and Suffolk as well as London, once you've found your way round the narrow country lanes. Folk music consisted of local bands (check out Norwich's own "Klunk"- very accomplished Eastern European klezmer music that get's everybody on their feet!). If they do it next year, they need to lay on a camp site (who wants to not drink at a beer festival as they have to drive home from an isolated, albeit beautiful place), and maybe put on one or two big name acts; alternativly don't charge at all, and put on just local bands but expect more locals to turn up to a free folk-and -beer event. I wish them well, and let's not forget that Cropredy and even Glastonbury started out as small, local village events!