When we heard that the Great Yarmouth Beer & Cider Festival was holding an amateur beer making competition, we decided to get our son, Matthew, who has previously dabbled at Home Brewing to make a homemade beer for Sara’s Tearooms to enter.

After a bit of research, a lot of help from a friend, some inventive adaptations to an ice chest and a purchase of the necessary ingredients from Blackfriars Brewery, Matt was ready to make his first all-grain brew for Sara’s Tearooms entry.  There was a lot of detail and attention required, but it was a fun day that resulted in nearly 40 pints of what would hopefully be a very hoppy homemade beer.  All that was left to do was ferment, bottle it and wait…which isn’t that easy, as we really wanted to taste (drink) it.

After what seemed like months of waiting, the Beer – HSTB (aka Homemade for Sara’s Tearooms Brew) a 5% ABV IPA Style Beer has been submitted for judging.  With no expectations of the first all-grain brew taking any prizes, we like it (we have had a sneaky taste or two) and had lots of fun making it too.

Sara’s Tearooms have sponsored a cask of beer at the Great Yarmouth Beer & Cider Festival.  The beer, Blackfriars HRH (His Royal Honey-Moon) Ale, has been made specifically for the Royal Wedding celebrations…its sure to be a popular choice.  Visitors can taste HRH and a over 60 other beers and ciders at the festival, which runs from Thursday 28th April until Sunday 1st May.  Tickets are available directly from Blackfriars Brewery or via a discount voucher printed in the Great Yarmouth Mercury.