Olympia: news in brief

l The girls on the Woodforde's stand model this year's de rigeur Nelson tricorn hats, marking the bicententary of victory at Trafalgar. Punters could raise a glass to the national hero with Nelson's Revenge or the new Admiral's Reserve

August 3, 2005: CAMRA's champion bottled beers were also announced at the festival, although they are not part of the Champion Beer of Britain contest. The winner was Durham Brewery's Evensong, with Young's Special London Ale second and Titanic Stout third.

n Sales of the appropriately-named Liberation Ale have helped boost the coffers of the Royal British Legion by £31,000. A donation from the sale of the Thwaites ale has been set aside by the brewery and a cheque was handed over at the Great British Beer Festival.

n The festival was opened by Welsh MP and Conservative party vice-chairman Nigel Evans who, in an amusing speech, raised the notion that by the time the 2012 London Olympics arrive drinking could be an Olympic discipline. Makes me think of that classic Shepherd Neame Spitfire ad - "Are you a pole vaulter?" "Nein, I am German and my name is Fritz."