The gin life chose me

By Claire Dukes - 3 October 2017

Health and BeautyArts and Culture

I like to have the outlook that it’s always a good idea to try something new, and based on a packed-out Steam Museum last weekend many Swindonians agree.

Two of the most anticipated events of the cultural calendar would have to be Oktoberfest and the Swindon Beer Festival. The events are always sold out and succeed in drawing in locals who are thirsty for Bavarian brews.

As a gin lover it took all of one glance at my diary to confirm my inevitable position of ‘should I stay or should I go’ to the Gin Festival, but I could appreciate the hesitation others might have felt. It’s new, there hasn’t been a gin festival in Swindon before, how do I know it’s worth it?

Ginfestival.com is the band that never stops touring, hitting venues all across the UK including Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and Nottingham. It’s basically an enormous pop-up bar of gin that rides into town offering gins from down the road, and nation-wide. So, it was wonderful to hear that the sell-out show was also hitting the smaller towns like Swindon.

On arrival I was pleasantly greeted by festival host Ash who presented me and my friend with a free goody bag which consisted of a free Gin Festival Copa Balloon Glass, top-up credit card for drinks, a map to the gins or ‘The Gin Explorer Book’ and a mini satchel/taupe bag.

My friend and I were then escorted through Steam’s foyer and pointed in the direction towards the maze of wonder, and it was wonderful.

From Portugal to Italy, Spain to Belgium, it was made nearly impossible to not find something that quenched your spirted style. The Gin Explorer Book became less of a souvenir and more of a survivor’s guide as we wandered around the horse shoe of bars in a somewhat disorientated fashion. Luckily we caught the engaging eye of a representative from Tinker Gin, Bernadette, who hollered us over.

As our bubbly host explained, Tinker is a rather exclusive British gin having only launched last February. Since April only 1500 bottles are circulating the UK which on a gineric scale, and observing the other hundred gins around the room, is a relatively small operation. Bernadette did confidently assert that it’s been a “strong and steady start".

We were we given shot-sized samples with various tonics, and each gulp was as refreshing and smooth as the last. Tinker is definitely on my gin list for next summer – it tasted like a fruity botanical garden. Sold.

It went without saying that this festival was a marathon not a sprint, so we needed fuel. Thankfully there was a marquee on site, inhabiting The Striped Pig Company. Initially the sizzling smells were enough to draw me in, but having seen the gin-socked lineup of meats I joined the queue and ordered the gin and sausage wild boar bun.

It was at this stage, on the cosmopolitan style sharing tables, that I collected some thoughts.

As we semi-dined together, gin lover and Swindon resident Ian Matheson said: “Well my wife and I are big fans of gin, so that’s why we’re here.

”But yes the technology with the cards is very impressive, it’s so quick and easy to use at the bars.”

His wife, Rosa, added: “It is a good use for Steam, and the décor is also wonderful. We just hopped on the bus and walked through the tunnel, so it’s an easy venue for us to get to.”

Needless to say there was an abundance of merry faces in the esteamed museum's Western Hall carrying around goblets of exotic and classic gins, participating in gin master classes and snapping themselves with the festival's photo booth.

As it drew close to 11pm, it was time to make a dash for the taxis. Maybe it was the premium quality of the gins, or the amount of tonic that the goblet was capable of holding to counter it, but I was pleased to wake up Sunday morning as fresh as Tinker.

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