Warning: this post contains images of West Coast USA beer porn.

How fantastic does it feel when someone gives you beer? If you're participating in the Twitter beerswap, you know what I mean. You've bundled off a parcel of goodies to someone and in return you're receiving random beer. Unless you're the poor sod to whom I was supposed to send beer last year when beerswap first ran. And I forgot. Shit. If I can remember who you are, I'll pull a bottle from my super secret stash and send it to you.

When you meet up with beery people, there's often a flurry of bubble-wrap and bottle for furtive exchange under pub tables. Brewers and writers who want to spread the word, local beers that are common as horse muck to one man but rare as rocking hoss shit to another, or imports from far-flung shores that make their way around the chain.

Think of those great beers you may have been given. How you'd probably never have got to try them if it wasn't for some benevolent soul.

Now think how great it feels to be the one who dishes the beer goodies out.

We've all got good beer near to us. Pick up a couple of bottles, stash them in a bag and the next time you meet up with friends from further away, pass those beers on. Spread the malt & hops. You'll find it's contagious.

My good friends Scott and Mary Frost will be winging their way back to California soon with a selection of Thornbridge and Hopshackle's finest. Meanwhile, I'll be choking some of these beers down this weekend. Cheers, Frosties!

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#1: Earl's Court: Not Depressing

Walking in there for the first time and thinking: Wow. Yes, there's over twenty-three thousand square metres of concrete flooring. And Olympia has a nicer roof. But it wasn't as depressing as some people had made it out to be. Anyway, at a beer festival the atmosphere isn't painted on the walls - it's the punters that provide the colour and shape.

#2: How To Lose Your Deposit

Full marks go to Ian Harrison of PubsAndBeer.co.uk for his perfectly executed reverse sweep, resulting in the unmistakable sound of glass shattering on concrete. And it wasn't even his glass.

#3: Blood. Sweat. Tears. Menno.

A month ago, De Molen beers were a mystery to me. I've been able to try a few since then and have been hugely impressed. So it was a true highlight when I got to meet the brewer, Menno Olivier, and enjoy the ridiculously-tasty, Bruichladdich-casked smoked beer, Bloed, Zweet & Tranen. Menno has a softly-spoken passion for his beers; I suspect he's as happy to talk about them as people are to listen to him.

#4: US IPA: It's not all hops, hops, hops

Some of them were balanced and smooth; assertive and flavoursome. But, truth be told, my favourite was in-your-face, up-your-nose, down-your-throat hoppy. My first sip of Captain Lawrence Captain’s Reserve Imperial IPA was heaven. How could it get better? By buying another glassful. And then another one. And another one. Although mixing it with an imperial stout wasn't the smartest move...

#5: Brewerspotting

At the table I shared with various RateBeerians, a healthy chunk of our day was spent pointing at brewers and then inviting ourselves over for a chat. To the left, a gaggle of Thornbridgers. At the bar, a greater crested Amber, resplendent with its orange plumage. Circling, a Justin Hawke. There were a few bearded tits, too.

#6: The Hop Hiccups.

Too much mash, eaten too quickly after bolting back a DIPA. Result - the hiccups with a creamy hop flavour. Which made me laugh, which made be hiccup more.... Truely, a gift that kept on giving.

#7: Making a Twitterer of myself

With a fair few people Tweeting, #gbbf became a virtual tasting table. It was great to gain feedback on beers right across the venue, in real time. And with prizes on offer for moments of sublime Tweetness, there was banter aplenty. Those charming men in the press office deemed me worthy of a couple of tokens, which I redeemed for a pint of Welsh cider. Yum.

#8: Crabs and mashed potato

No, not at the same time. I wasn't that pished. The sausage and mash stall served up enough potato to build a sandcastle with. With a moatful of gravy. And the Cromer crab I had, alongside a glass of the Captain Lawrence IPA, was one of the freshest beer/food combo's that I've tried.

#9: Shock - UK Cask Beer Not Actually That Bad

The naysayers told me that UK cask quality at GBBF was indifferent. A couple of brewers tried their own beers and found them to be OK, just not in lip-smackingly perfect condition. But the proof of the pudding is in the, er, drinking.... so I forced myself away from the foreign muck and bought some White Shield P2 (Czar's Imperial Stout). It was in fine form, all those liquid Christmas pudding notes were there. I'd have tried more, this being the Great BRITISH Beer Festival, but the lure of those US DIPAs was too strong...

#10: The Joy of an Early Train Home

My last beery trip to London ended with a mad taxi dash to the station and a missed train. This time, the plan was masterful. A relaxed Tube journey across London (yes, you did read that correctly), plenty of time at the station to take photos (as St Pancras is one of the architectural wonders of the world) and onto the train early. I'd bought a few bottled beers from the festival and thought I'd treat myself to one to round out the day.

As we set off, the steward approached. "Would you like a coffee, Sir? Or are you happy with your beer"? My beer was Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. I was, indeed, hoppily happy with my beer. >