On a lighter note, some of you may wonder what a Lord does during his holidays. Doubtless the image of a gent wearing ermine, a horsehair wig and Bermuda shorts sitting on some sunny beach has crossed your mind, but the work does never really stops. The seemingly unstoppable post continues to arrive, the phones blares onwards and now the computer bleeps every twelve seconds grindingly chanting “you have mail”.

But it’s not all doom and gloom, although I wish I could say the same for the weather. I was very pleased to be asked again to judge the Campaign for Real Ale’s Champion Beer of Britain Awards 2008 at Earls Court. I was fortunate enough to be asked in 2005 and I have fond, if fuzzy, memories of judging the competition then so I happily agreed. The CAMRA annual festival is attended by thousands of lovers of real beers and is host to at least 450 different bitters, ales, stouts and lagers. An almost Herculean task then to choose one winner.

So how does one go about judging beers?

First of all, you are guided in the mystical art of beer tasting by some highly trained tasters to look for certain qualities and; aroma, appearance, taste and aftertaste.

Aroma is gauged by holding you hand over the glass and gently swirl and sniff to consider hop, malt and fruity aromas.

Taste is considered in much the same vein by adjudging hop, malt and fruity tastes. As you may expect, this the most important aspect and is weighted accordingly. Aftertaste is considered in much the same way.

Beers I discovered may vary from other specified features or have their own peculiar balance and still be classified as true to style. We were also instructed to look for specific faults. Some of these such as the impression of wet cardboard are undesirable in any beer. Other features such sulphur flavours may be characteristic of some styles such as Burton bitters but not of others. A spicy characteristic is generally unacceptable in most British styles but is expected in continental wheat beers. This is complicated stuff.

Finally, the jury convenes and the assorted brewers anxiously await the result of this spirituous conclave. Marks are awarded and opinion amongst the various tasters differs widely. Smells and tastes are identified as mango, lychees and butterscotch. This is the part where being a politician comes in useful! Finally, when consensus is reached, we acclaim with one accord that the winner is…..well, I’m afraid you’re just going to have to try them for yourself!