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Nov 2011
7 top reasons to take a trip to Edinburgh this August
No longer just the preserve of old men with whiskery beards - real ale and cider have made a big comeback and are steadily growing in popularity with a younger crowd. Beer festivals remain a great British tradition year round, attracting crowds of cheerfully inebriated revellers up and down the country – eager to sample a taste of local brew.
CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – supports a host of beer festivals each year, offering the chance to sample the fruits of some of Britain's best microbreweries. Of course, if you’re making a day/night of it, you might want to find somewhere to stay nearby, park up and enjoy the festival. Plan a pub walk or two, and make a weekend of it.
CAMRA is an independent, voluntary organisation that campaigns for real pubs, real ale and consumer rights. You'll find a comprehensive list of annual beer festivals on CAMRA's website, but here are a few highlights from around the country:
Canterbury Beer Festival – Merton Farm, Canterbury 21-23 July
The ever-popular Canterbury beer festival is a highlight of on the festival circuit. Kentish breweries offer some of the finest local ales in the UK, so there’s plenty for real ale fans to enjoy. A range of foreign ales, ciders and local entertainment complete the billing.
Cambridge Beer Festival – University Social Club, Cambridge 14-15 October
First held in 1974, this is CAMRA’s longest running festival in the UK. Features a wide range of local and national beverages including beer (of course), cider, perry, mead and wine. The CAMRA Cheese Counter is also a popular draw.
Pig's Ear Beer & Cider Festival – Hackney, London 6-10 December
An ideal pre-Christmas ale celebration - this is the highlight of the year for the East London & City CAMRA branch. ‘Pig's ear’ also happens to be cockney rhyming slang for beer.
Darlington Spring Thing Beer Festival – Arts Centre, Darlington 17-19 March
Celebrating folk music and real ale, Darlington’s festival promises to be an intoxicating mix of live music and tasty local brews. Over 50 independent ales are on offer along with cider, Perry and a selection of imported brews.
Birkenhead Real Ale Festival – Pacific Road Centre, Birkenhead 20-22 October
A little further north, folk are bracing themselves for the Birkenhead Real Ale Festival. There'll be more than 50 beers plus ciders and perries to sample, and a host of live entertainment.
1st Silkstone Beer Festival – Silkstone Lodge, Barnsley 3-5 November
Free entry isn’t the only attraction here. With 25 cask-conditioned beers and a fine selection of real cider on offer, there is plenty of reason to stop by and support the area’s first beer festival.
Burton Beer Festival – Town Hall, Burton Upon Trent 17-19 March
Timed to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, a special range of ‘Celtic Beers’ are on offer, alongside over 100 real ales as well as cider, perry and British bottled beers. Live music also features on the bill.
Derby Beer Festival – Market Place, Derby 6-10 July
With a whopping 180 real ales on offer, there’s no excuse not to have a great time at Derby’s 33rd Beer Festival. A side order of live music
Norwich Beer Festival – St Andrew’s and Blackfriar’s Halls 24-29 October
Featuring more than 200 cask-conditioned ales will be on offer. Find out more about Britain's independent brewers, and sample Continental beers as well as cider and perry from East
Anglia and the West Country.
Great Welsh Beer and Cider Festival – Cardiff International Arena 16-18 June
Wales’ biggest and best beer festival, with over 150 real ales on draught, alongside cider, perry and a range of German beers. Other attractions include the Champion of Wales beer competition and a great showcase of local talent.
Swansea Bay Beer Festival – Guidhall, Swansea 25-27 August
Over 100 real ales are on offer this year, in addition to a wealth of live music and good food for the hungry masses. Better still, the festival is set against the beautiful backdrop of Swansea Bay.
Mid Wales Beer Festival – Llanwrtyd Wells 19-26 November
The Real Ale Wobble on 19 November invites ale enthusiasts to cycle through the Cambrian Mountains while supping the produce of the Heart of Wales Brewery. Those who prefer to move at a slightly slower place can tackle the Real Ale Ramble on 26 November. Pick one of the three waymarked routes and enjoy real ale at each checkpoint.
An ideal gift for the beer-lover in your life, why not pick up a copy of the latest AA Pub Guide or download our 2011 Pub Guide app?
Check out our other inspirational ideas for days out and weekend breaks.
...plan your trip with the AA Route Planner, stock your car with essential accessories from the AA Travel Shop, and check for traffic blackspots before you leave with AA Roadwatch. Find the best places to eat, drink and sleep, and check out our brilliant travel guides.
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