May 10, 2019 1.45 pm This story is over 58 months old

Cheers: Lincoln Beer Festival returns this month

Over 100 real ales from across the UK and more

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Unbeer-lievable! The annual Lincoln Beer Festival will return to the city for three days later this month.

The festival, which is organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will take place at Lincoln Drill Hall from May 23-25.

On the Thursday, May 23 it will open 12pm-3pm, 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.

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

The theme for the 2019 festival is the 50th anniversary of the first humans landing on the moon. A number of beers produced to mark the occasion have been ordered including this year’s festival ale One Step Beyond, which was brewed by Horncastle Ales.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

There will be a choice of over 100 real ales from across the UK. Drinkers will also be able to enjoy traditional, farm-produced cider and perry, as well as bottled and canned beers from around the world. Ales from many local breweries will also be showcased.

In the Drill Hall cafe local performers are showcased and bigger names provide a treat for music fans. Full details of the music programme and the beer list will be posted here.

Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The three-day festival is expected to attract around 3,500 customers. Over a period of 10 days over 60 volunteers convert the Drill Hall into a giant pub and serve over 10,000 pints.

Festival Organiser John Watkinson said: “With this year’s festival commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing and remembering those famous words from Neil Armstrong, ’That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’, why not take a step inside the Drill Hall and have a drink or two to celebrate this historic event?

“Our volunteers put in a huge amount of work to organise and run the event. What makes it worthwhile is to see so many people enjoying themselves. And it’s still not too late to volunteer to help – the times when we are short-handed are on our website.”

The 2018 festival was based around the centenary of the RAF.