May 13, 2015 9.45 am This story is over 106 months old

Lincoln Beer Festival returns with Magna Carta theme

Festival returns: The annual Lincoln Beer Festival returns to the Drill Hall for three days later this month.

Beer connoisseurs from across the city and further afield will once again be able to sample a range of ales and ciders as the annual Lincoln Beer Festival returns to the Drill Hall later this month.

The festival, which was first held in the 1970s, will begin at noon on Thursday, May 21, ending at 11pm on Saturday evening.

The theme for this year’s festival is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, with an original copy being housed at Lincoln Castle.

When the document was signed in 1215, Clause 35 stated that there was to be one measure of ale throughout the kingdom.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The festival, organised and staffed by unpaid volunteers from the Lincoln branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), attracted around 3,500 people last year.

Wendy Margetts, the festival organiser, said, “The 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta is an important event for the city.

“So it’s fitting that we celebrate it with a few pints of our national drink, particularly when a number of our local brewers are producing special beers to mark the occasion.”

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

“For those who are regular drinkers of real ale, cider and perry, a wide range of drinks are provided, many of which would not normally be found in this part of the country.

“Ales from many local breweries are also showcased. And for those who are not yet devotees, the huge variety of styles and flavours to be discovered in our traditional British drinks is demonstrated.”


The opening times for the 2015 Lincoln Beer Festival are:

Thursday, May 21:

  • noon – 3pm
  • 4pm – 6pm (trade session – invitation only)
  • 6pm – 11pm

Friday, May 22:

  • noon – 11pm

Saturday, May 23:

  • noon – 11 pm