PAST BEER & CIDER FESTIVALS
For Festivals in the London area see the London Drinker Magazine Beer Festivals Calendar. See the National CAMRA Festival & Events Calendar for a comprehensive list of other Beer Festivals.
Recent CAMRA Festivals — Recent Pub/Club Festivals
For 2009 Festivals see our festivals2009 page.
CAMRA FESTIVALS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
PIG'S EAR
The 28th Pig's Ear Beer & Cider Festival is on from Tuesday 6th — Saturday 10th December 2011 at the Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, off Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 0PU. This is a magnificent English Heritage-restored venue featuring a 400 seat Gallery area. The venue has easy access by 8 buses and 2 Rail lines.
200+ Beers including unique Festival Brews plus the renowned Cider, Bottled and Foreign Beer Bars.
Open: Tues-Thurs: Noon-22.30; Fri-Sat: Noon-23.00
Entrance: CAMRA Members £2. Non-Members £4.
Des de Moor will be signing copies of his guide to London's Best Beer, Pubs and Bars on Thursday 8 December at 7pm.
See www.pigsear.org.uk/ for more including the beer list.
Latest News at twitter.com/pigsearcamra or on Facebook.
TWICKENHAM
After a two year break the 11th Twickenham Beer Festival was back in 2011.
Organised by Richmond & Hounslow CAMRA it ran from Thursday 27th — Saturday 29th October 2011 at the Clarendon Hall/Hyde Room at York House, Richmond Road, Twickenham, TW1 3AA.
65 Cask Beers, Ciders & Perries were available.
See www.rhcamra.org.uk/ for more including the beer list and cider & perry list.
WALLINGTON
The 18th Wallington Beer Festival was organised by Croydon & Sutton CAMRA and ran from 13th — 15th October 2011 at the usual venue, Wallington Hall.
60+ Cask Beers, Ciders & Perries, Draught & Bottled Foreign Beers were available.
See www.croydoncamra.org.uk for more news.
22ND EALING BEER FESTIVAL
The 22nd Ealing Beer Festival was organised by CAMRA West Middlesex and ran from Wednesday 6th July — Saturday 9th July 2011 in Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5BG.
200 Cask Beers, Ciders & Perries, Draught & Bottled Foreign Beers were available.
Follow twitter.com/ealingbeerfest or see ealingbeerfestival.org.uk/ for details.
THURROCK BEER FESTIVAL 2011
The Thurrock Beer Festival 2011 was organised by CAMRA South West Essex and ran from Tuesday 7th June — Saturday 11th June 2011 at the Thurrock Civic Hall.
122 different Real Ales, 17 Real Ciders & Perries, plus Mead and a selection of English Country Wines were available [Beer List] [Ciders & Perries List].
See essex-camra.org.uk/swessex/ for full details.
FIRST BECKENHAM BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL
South East London CAMRA Presented the First Beckenham Beer and Cider Festival on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May 2011 at the Beckenham Rugby Club, Balmoral Avenue, Beckenham.
Admission was FREE and 32 Beers, 12 Ciders and Perries, and a small selection of bottled beers from Kernal and Meantime were available as well as a Hog Roast.
For the latest information on CAMRA SE London festivals follow SELCAMRAfest on twitter.
6th BEXLEY BEER FESTIVAL
The 6th Bexley Beer Festival was at the usual venue, Sidcup Sports Club, Crescent Farm, Sydney Road, Sidcup DA14 6RA. [Map]
The festival ran over three days from Thursday 28th — Saturday 30th April 2011.
Some 65+ real ales [Beer List] as well as ciders & perries were available.
There was live Entertainment on Thursday & Friday.
See www.camrabexleybranch.org.uk/beer_festival.html for full details.
PIG’s EAR
The 27th Pig’s Ear Beer Festival ran from Tuesday 30th November — Friday 3rd December 2010.
100+ beers were available including unique Festival brews. There was also the renowned Cider, Bottled & Foreign Beer Bars.
New Venue: The Round Chapel, Powerscroft Road, off Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, E5 0PU. This is a magnificent English Heritage-restored venue featuring a 400 seat Gallery area.
For further information: www.pigsear.org.uk.
WATFORD
The 16th Watford Beer Festival was on from Thursday 18th — Saturday 20th November 2010 at the West Herts Sports Club, 8 Park Avenue Watford, WD18 7HP.
There was a choice of over 60 beers, ciders and perries, as well as hot and cold food every day. [beer list]
Full details at www.watfordcamra.org.uk/festival.htm.
WOKING
The 17th Woking Beer Festival was on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th November 2010 at the Woking Leisure Centre.
Over 70 real ales were available plus ciders and imported beers, live bands (all sessions) and food.
Full details at www.wokingbeerfestival.co.uk/.
WALLINGTON
The 17th Croydon & Sutton Real Ale & Cider Festival was on from Thursday 14 October — Saturday 16 October at the usual venue, Wallington Hall.
60+ real ales were on tap at the festival – all of which came from within 100 miles of Wallington Hall – plus over 15 UK produced ciders & perries and an exciting range of bottled beers, predominantly from Europe.
ST. ALBANS
The St. Albans Beer Festival 2010 was on from Wednesday 29 September — Saturday 2 October at the usual venue, The Alban Arena.
Over 300 real ales plus ciders, perries & foreign beers were available.
Entertainment on Saturday evening was provided by the Climax Blues Band.
ASCOT RACECOURSE
The Ascot Racecourse 4th Annual CAMRA Beer Festival 2010 was on from Friday 24 — Saturday 25 September.
200+ real ales plus ciders and perries were available at £1.40 per half/£2.80 per pint. Beers were predominantly from local craft brewers. Free tasting notes were provided. [Beer List (93KB pdf)] [Cider & Perry List (11KB pdf)].
Bar open Fri 11.00—16.55; Sat 11.00—17.25.
Hot & cold food was available all day and there was live music on both days.
There was exclusive HALF PRICE ADMISSION for CAMRA members - prices from £5.50 on Fri. and £10 on Sat.
The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes was the featured race on Saturday. This race crowns the top miler in Europe and was won by Poet’s Voice, one of four winners on the day for jockey Frankie Dettori.
CLACTON-ON-SEA
The 15th Clacton-on-Sea Real Ale and Cider Festival 2010 ran from Wednesday 25 — Saturday 28 August.
55+ real ales, ciders, perries and bottled continental beers were available.
The festival was in the St. James’ Church Hall, in Tower Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1LF, which is between St. James’ Church and the Westcliff Theatre, about 15 minutes walk from Clacton-on-Sea railway station. [See location on Googlemaps Streetview].
For full details see: www.tendringcamra.org.uk/clactonfest.html.
GREAT BRITTISH BEER FESTIVAL
The biggest Beer Festival of them all, the Great British Beer Festival 2010, was on from Tue 3 — Sat 7 August 2010 at the usual venue, Earls Court, Warwick Road, London, SW5 9TA.
Hours were: Tue 17.00—22.30; Wed—Fri 12.00—22.30; Sat 11.00—19.00.
The Trade Session was from 12.00—17.00 on Tue 3. Admission to this was by advanced ticket only. Licensees were entitled to two trade tickets per public house or club [details]. Festival Season Ticket holders were also allowed entry to the Trade Session.
Some 500 Real Ales, ciders and foreign beers from around the world were available. [Beer List].
Various Tutored Beer Tastings were once again being conducted at all sessions. These proved to be very popular and were sold out. Check the GBBF website for details.
There was musical entertainment of various genres on stage each afternoon and evening [details].
The popular ‘Hat Day’ celebrated its 6th birthday this year on the traditional Thursday (5 August) with the overall best hat worn by a festival goer winning a bag full of CAMRA goodies. It was Chito Salarza-Grant for his fantastic creation who walked away with this year’s trophy [details].
For full details see the Festival website: gbbf.org.uk.
KENT BEER FESTIVAL
The Kent Beer Festival 2010 is on from Thu 22 — Sat 24 July 2010 at the usual venue, Merton Farm, Merton Lane (off Nackington Lane), Canterbury CT4 7BA.
There’s a free shuttle bus from Canterbury Bus Station.
Hours are: Thu 18.30—23.00; Fri 12.00—16.00 (Free entry) and 18.30—23.00 (advance tickets only) and Sat 12.00—21.00.
As well as over 120 real ales, the Kent Beer Festival also has a real cider bar and a foreign beers bar.
There is entertainment on Thu and Fri evenings and all day Sat.
There are free, very basic, onsite camping facilities if you need somewhere to pitch your tent.
WINDSOR LOCALE BEER FESTIVAL
The Windsor LocAle 2010 Beer Festival was on from Fri 16 — Sun 18 July 2010 at the Windsor Farm Shop, Datchet Rd, Old Windsor, Berkshire SL4 2RQ.
Most unusually, admission was FREE.
Over 40 Real Ales from Local Breweries were served cellar cool plus Ciders & Perries. The Windsor Farm Shop provided a hog roast on all days.
There were two “Meet the Brewer” opportunities — Windsor & Eton Brewery at 14.00 on Sat. and Ascot Ales at 15.00 on Sun.
EALING BEER FESTIVAL
The 21st Ealing Beer Festival was at the Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5BG from Wed 7 — Sat 10 July 2010.
Opening hours were 12.00—22.30 Wed—Fri; 12.00—18.30 Sat.
Over 170 Real Ales, plus Ciders & Perries and draught and bottled foreign beers were available along with a wide range of hot and cold food.
KINGSTON BEER FESTIVAL
The 11th Kingston Beer Festival took place at the Kingston Workingmen’s Club and Institute on Fri 25 and Sat 26 June 2010.
This is located behind the famous “falling down telephone boxes”
50 Real Ales, plus many Ciders & Perries were available along with hot and cold food at all sessions.
THURROCK BEER FESTIVAL
The Thurrock 2010 Beer Festival took place at the Thurrock Civic Hall from Tue 8 June to Sat 12 June 2010.
120+ Real Ales, plus 12 Real Ciders & Perries and a selection of English Country Wines and Mead were available along with hot and cold food at all sessions.
[Download a .pdf file of the Beer & Cider List or see the SW Essex CAMRA website for full details.]
BEXLEY BEER FESTIVAL 2010
The 5th Bexley Beer Festival ran from Thu 8—Sat 10 April 2010 at the Sidcup Sports Club, Crescent Farm, Sydney Road, Sidcup DA14 6RA. [Beer List].
LONDON DRINKER BEER FESTIVAL 2010
The popular London Drinker 2010 Beer & Cider Festival was held from Wednesday 10 to Friday 12 March 2010, at the usual venue, the Camden Centre, Bidborough Street, London WC1 (opposite St. Pancras Station).
See the Beer Festival website for further details www.camranorthlondon.org.uk/ldbf/ or click to see the Beer List.
This is one of the few festivals where CAMRA volunteers do the catering.
ROSSLYN PARK BEER FESTIVAL IV
The Slingbacks, Rosslyn Park Ladies rugby team held their annual beer festival on Saturday 3 December 2011, from 3pm - Midnight.
Venue: Rosslyn Park F.C., Priory Lane, Upper Richmond Road, Roehampton, London, SW15 5JH
Going with a 'Winter Warmer' theme, a selection of festive ales and ciders alongside some festival favourites were available.
www.rosslynpark.co.uk/teamsfixtures/slingbacks/.
| Featured Ales: | Featured Ciders & Perries: |
|---|---|
| Lees Hopmeister 3.8% | Westons Hertfordshire County Perry 4.5% |
| Saltaire Elderflower Blonde 4% | Kent Cider Co. Spiced Cider 5% |
| Brentwood Chestnut Stout 4% | Mr Whitehead Heart of Hampshire 6% |
| Blue Monkey Evolution Gold 4.3% | |
| Phoenix Christmas Kiss 4.5% | |
| Brentwood Winter Warmer 4.7% | |
| Bradfield Pale Ale 5% |
PUB & CLUB BEER FESTIVALS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
- The Wandsworth Common Halloween Beer Festival was once again at LE GOTHIQUE from 27th—29th October 2011. 90 different real ales plus 20 ciders and 20 wines by the glass were available. [photos].
- The KINGS HEAD, 100 Clapham Park Road, SW4 7BZ held its first ever Ale Fest on Saturday 22nd October 2011 to show off their new décor and to showcase a full range of ales. See the pub’s Facebook page or Twitter feed for details.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 was showcasing "Embarrassing ales you wouldn't ask your granny to order" for two weeks from 10th October 2011. See the pub’s Facebook page or Twitter feed for details.
- HOOPERS in East Dulwich had a Champions Beer Festival from 30th September - 16th October 2011 featuring award winners from the Great British Beer Festival, SIBA National competition and the World Beer Awards as well as Oktoberfest Specials. See www.hoopersbar.co.uk for details.
- The GRAPE & GRAIN, 2 Anerley Hill, Crystal Palace, SE19 2AA has an Autumn Beer Festival from 7th - 10th October. 60+ ales and ciders from U.K. micro brewers were featured.
- The GRID INN 22 Replingham Road, Southfields, SW18 5LS had a Westerham Weekender Beer Festival from Friday 1st — Sunday 3rd July which featured a full range of Westerham beers over the weekend.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 had two weeks of spring ales from Monday 13th June.
- In celebration of Mild Month the SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 had 30 milds available during the month of May 2011.
- HOOPERS BAR, 28 Ivanhoe Road, East Dulwich, London, SE5 8DH had a Not the Royal Wedding LocAle Festival from Thursday 21st April — Monday 2nd May 2011 with 50+ mainly Local Real Ales as well as Ciders & Perries on draught.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 had a month of Festive Ales from Sunday 5th December 2010. The pub’s Christmas lights were turned on at 17.00, with Mince pies and port for all.
- HOOPERS in Dulwich had a Winter Ales Festival from Thursday 9th to Sunday 19th December.
- The HOPE, 48 West Street, Carshalton, SM5 2PR had a Dark Beer Festival from Thursday 25th — Sunday 28th November. This featured a selection of dark beers from micro breweries nationwide.
- The Rosslyn Park Ladies Rugby team (the Slingbacks) presented ‘London’s Brewing’ - their third annual beer and cider festival - on Saturday 20th November at the club’s home ground Rosslyn Park F.C.. A selection of London ales as well as some beer festival favourites were available along with food and live music.
- The FALCON, 2 St. Johns Hill, Clapham Junction, SW11 1RU had its Bonfire Beer Festival from Thu. 4th to Sun. 7th November. 40+ real ales were available.
- The MANOR ARMS, 128 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6ED had an Oktoberfest Beer Festival on Sat 30—Sun 31 October 2010. 20+ beers were available.
- The BRICKLAYER’S ARMS, 32 Waterman Street, Putney, SW15 1DD, had a Herefordshire Cider Festival from Thu. 28th to Sun. 31st October 2010. Up to 15 ciders and perries were available.
- The WANDSWORTH COMMON HALLOWEEN BEER FESTIVAL, was at Le Gothique, John Archer Way, Off Windmill Road, SW18 3SX and also ran from Thu. 28th to Sun. 31st October. You can see some of our webmaster Mike Flynn’s photos from Thursday 28th on Flickr.com.
- The only Hop Back pub in London, the SULTAN in South Wimbledon, had its annual October Fest on Fri. 1 and Sat. 2 October. 26 guest ales from around Britain plus two traditional ciders were available.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 had two weeks of “Embarrassing Ales you wouldn’t ask your granny to order” from 20 September.
- The BRICKLAYER’S ARMS, 32 Waterman Street, Putney, SW15 1DD, had a Suffolk & Norfolk Beer Festival from Wed. 22 — Sun. 26 September. Over 100 Eastern ales were available. There was live music on Thu.—Sat.
- The BEEHIVE, 197 St Johns Hill, Battersea, SW11 1TH, had its first ever Beer Festival on Fri. 10 — Sun. 12 September. 12+ cask ales and real cider alongside the regular beers were available. The Beer Festival was held as part of the St. John’s Hill Festival 2010.
- The WILLAM the FOURTH 816 High Road Leyton E10 6AE, hosted Brodie’s second Birthday Bonanza beer festival On Sat. 4 and Sun. 5 September. For more see www.brodiesbeers.co.uk or www.williamthefourth.net.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, SW1 had two weeks of East Anglia Ales from 23 August — 03 September. See the pub’s page on Facebook for details.
- The EAGLE ALE HOUSE, 104 Chatham Road, SW11 6HG, had its annual Summer Bank Holiday Beer and Music Festival from Saturday 28 — Monday 30 August. Over 50 Real Ales and ciders were available, as well as a Hog Roast & barbecue with music on Saturday and Sunday. See the pub entry on www.whatpub.org or check the pub website: eaglealehouse.co.uk for details.
- The FALCON, Clapham Junction, had a Summer Real Ale Festival from Thu 19 — Sun 22 August. Over 40 Real Ales from around the U.K. were available.
- Just outside our area, the current Kingston & Leatherhead CAMRA Pub of the Year, WOODIES FREEHOUSE, Thetford Road, New Malden, had its 6th Summer Real Beer Festival and Gala Weekend on 20—22 August. Over 60 Real Ales were available, as well as a choice of ciders.
- The SPEAKER in Great Peter Street, Victoria had two weeks of Summer Ales from 19 July. See the pub website www.pleisure.com/pubs-the-speaker.html for details.
- There was a Charity Day for The Children’s Trust, Tadworth at The QUEEN’S HEAD, 70 Cricket Green, Mitcham, CR4 4LA on Saturday 24 July. A great day was had by all.
- The PRINCE OF WALES in Merton had a Beer Festival over the weekend of 2—4 July. See the pub website powmerton.co.uk/festival for details.
- HOOPERS in Dulwich had a World Cup Real Ale, Lager and Cider Festival from 12—27 June. See the pub website www.hoopersbar.co.uk for details.
- The HOPE in Carshalton had a Summer Beers Festival from 17—20 June 2010. See the pub website www.hopecarshalton.co.uk/ for details.
- The EAGLE ALE HOUSE, 104 Chatham Rd, SW11 6HG, hosted a Beer & Music Festival over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend: Fri 29—Sun 31 May 2010. 40 beers were available.
- The EARL FERRERS, 22 Ellora Road, Streatham, SW16 6JF held a mini beer festival on Sat 8 May. For details see their website www.earlferrers.co.uk.
- The MANOR ARMS, 128 Clapham Manor Street, SW4 6ED had a Spring Beer Festival over the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend: Sat 1—Mon 3 May 2010. 20 beers were available.
- Just outside our area, HOOPERS BAR, 28 Ivanhoe Road, East Dulwich, SE5 8DH had a London LocAle Beer Festival from Fri 2 - Sun 18 April 2010.
- The Wandsworth Common Beer Festival 2010 was on from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 March 2010, at the usual venue, LE GOTHIQUE, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, off John Archer Way, SW18 3SX. Over 50 different beers were available plus 10 selected ciders.
- From Thursday 25—Saturday 28 February the BRICKLAYER’S ARMS in Putney, had their biggest ever Yorkshire Beer Festival. Over 140 beers were featured, from 69 breweries.
BATTERSEA BEER FESTIVAL
Our 20th Battersea Beer Festival was once again in the Grand Hall of the Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill and ran from Wednesday 10—Friday 12 February 2010. A total of 4,788 customers attended over the three days. Between the visitors, the staff and the invited dignatories a record total amount of drink was consumed: 21,384 pints of real ale from the main bar, 48 tubs of cider and lots more German and Belgian stuff besides!
The Beer of the Festival vote winner was the recently introduced Sambrook’s Junction Ale which is a strong 4.5% ABV premium ale. This is Sambrook’s first CAMRA award and a branch trip to the brewery will be arranged for later in the year.
See batterseabeerfestival.org.uk for further details and some photos.
The 2009 Festival attracted a record 5,000+ visitors over the three days. For full details see the Battersea 2009 page [http://camraswl.org.uk/battersea.html].
See all the 2008 festival information at http://camraswl.org.uk/batt08.html.
