The Pig's Ear

Pig’s Ear means beer in cockney rhyming slang in case you didn't know – I didn't. The Pig’s Ear Beer and Cider Festival, organised by the East London and City (ELAC) branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) takes place in the Round Chapel in Powerscroft Road, E5, from Tuesday November 30 to Friday December 3. This year it showcases 17 new beers from seven new London breweries: Brew Wharf, Brodie’s, Camden, Ha’penny, Kernel, Redemption and Sambrook’s. “The renaissance of brewing in London is wonderful and astonishing. None of the 17 London Beers on offer existed just two years ago; now they’re praised by more and more quaffers,” declared organiser Derek Jones. “They represent the revival of a once-glorious London brewing tradition. For centuries the city was Britain’s leading brewing centre but most breweries closed in the post-war period. These new producers are expressing skill and innovation that will give London new brewing status.” Derek Jones went on to say that the Grade II listed English Heritage building built in 1871 with a magnificent three sided gallery “will become a Chapel of the Blessed Barley and Holy Hop for almost 150 notable Real Ales.”