May 23, 2019 3.38 pm This story is over 64 months old

How to pick the perfect pint at the Lincoln Beer Festival

Brew-se the menu and have a drink
An unbeer-lievable choice at the 2019 Lincoln Beer Festival. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

With around 150 specially brewed tipples to choose from, there’s an art to making the 2019 Lincoln Beer Festival experience perfect for your taste.

What ale-se do you need to know? The festival, organised by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is now in full flow at Lincoln Drill Hall from Thursday, May 23 until Saturday, May 25.

This year’s theme is the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the moon.

There are a number of beers produced to mark the occasion including this year’s festival ale One Step Beyond, which was brewed by Horncastle Ales.

The first session was held 12pm-3pm on the Thursday, May 23. Then it re-opens 4pm-6pm (Trade Session – invitation only) and 6pm-11pm. On Friday, May 24 it will open 12pm-11pm. On the final day, May 25, it will open 12pm-9pm.

The admission charge for the other sessions is £3, although CAMRA members gain free entry at all times.

The starting point…or is it pint. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Better Beer-lieve It

Secretary at Lincoln CAMRA Steve Renshaw took The Lincolnite on a tour round the festival on Thursday and here our his tips:

First up was blonde pale ale Heavenly Blonde. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

  • Start with a pale ale – we tried Heavenly Blonde which is brewed on the outskirts of Grantham, which is a blonde pale ale
  • Next move onto a traditional English bitter – why not give the special festival ale – ‘One Step Beyond’ – from Horncastle Ales a go
  • The third drink in the sequence was a Pilsner Lager – Hersbrucker Pilsner from Redwillow Brewery in Macclesfield is worth a try.
  • Steve advised it was best to then move on to Black Cat Stout by Cat Asylum Brewery in Collingham
  • Last on the agenda was a cider. Dorset Starlight was reporter Joseph Verney’s favourite drink of the afternoon and gets a thumbs up

Let the drinks flow. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

It all depends on individual tastes and preferences, but this is certainly a drink route worth trying.

Why not have another pint? Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Secretary at Lincoln CAMRA Steve Renshaw. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Steve, who first became involved in the festival in 2008, said: “It is impossible to pick a favourite for me as there are so many beers. Each one is my favourite until I have the next one.”

The 2019 Lincoln Beer Festival is in full flow at Lincoln Drill Hall. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

This volunteer insists he’s not grumpy! Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

There are around 105 real ales to choose from at the festival, which first began back in 1977. There are around 30 Ciders and Perries, along with a number of world beers from countries including Belgium and Japan.

There will be a number of world beers from countries including Belgium and Japan. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

There is also food and live music for the festival, with over 70 volunteers helping to make it an unbeer-lievable event.

Why not try a cider? Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

The people seen at first session on Thursday certainly looked to be enjoying it.

One for Imps’ fans to try! Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

David French from North Notts CAMRA over with some Nottingham colleagues supporting the event with a Space Hippy pale hoppy beer. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Friends Des Neale, 
Steve Thompson and 
Pete Dray enjoying a drink together. Photo: Joseph Verney for The Lincolnite

Here’s The Lincolnite’s live tour of the Lincoln Beer Festival’s opening day: