Lincoln Beer Festival 2014 preview

The Lincoln Beer Festival will return to the city between May 22 and May 24 with a range of starring brews and a programme of live music.

The festival, which launched with a small event in 1977, has expanded from showcasing just ten beers to a list this year of more than a hundred from all over the UK.

Also featured are traditional, farm-produced cider and perry, plus bottled beers from around the world.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The festival will be held at the Lincoln Drill Hall and this year will be the tenth at the venue.

Last year, over 3,500 people enjoyed the traditional ales and great atmosphere.

Steve Renshaw, organiser of the Lincoln Beer Festival. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Steve Renshaw, the festival organiser, said, “I’ve been to lots of beer festivals but I’ve not been in a better venue than the Drill Hall.

“The main bar area has plenty of room for drinkers to chat about the beers. We have live music in the café area, so it doesn’t impact on the conversations.

“Also, if the weather is good, the courtyard is a great place to chill out. We’ve developed a really good relationship with the Drill Hall staff – putting on the event is a real team effort.”

The festival is organised and staffed by unpaid volunteers from the Lincoln branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

The opening times of the 2014 Lincoln Beer Festival are:

Thursday, May 22:

• 12 noon – 3pm
• 4pm – 6pm (Trade session – Invitation only)
• 6pm – 11pm

Friday, May 23:

• 12 noon – 11pm

Saturday, May 24:

• 12 noon – 11pm

Live music

The Lincoln Beer Festival offers a programme of live music. Intimate performances are hosted from the Drill Hall Cafe.

Local performers are showcased next to some more widely known names.

The live music line up for this year includes:

Thursday evening:

• Solo pianist and keyboard player Dave Mallett takes to the stage.

Friday evening:

• Powerhouse singer/songwriter Cherry Lee Mewis makes her return to Lincoln after appearing at the festival in 2012. Cherry has shared the stage with artists ranging from Walter Trout and Robin Trower to Ronan Keating and The Quireboys.

Saturday lunch:

• Lincolnshire-based Itchy Fingers will perform an eclectic mix of ragtime, country-blues and Western swing.

Saturday afternoon:

• Andrew Bishop’s JazzOrbit will be featuring special guests Rick Woolgar on tenor sax and John Illingworth on guitar, plus Richard Pustelnik trumpet, Steve Jeyes bass and Andrew Bishop on drums.

Saturday evening:

• Grantham-based acoustic duo, Glen and Luna, combine their own-song writing with a variety of covers.
• They’ll be followed by Elayne & The Telling Tales, four talented musicians who take their influences from vintage funk and country.