I had a brilliant day in Crewe, starting at the returning Crewe Rail Ale Festival at the Heritage Centre before heading into town for a good wander around some of its best independent pubs and bars. From The Crewe Dog and Borough Arms to Tom’s Tap, Hops, Earl of Chester, Ebenezer’s and finally The Raven, there was loads of variety along the way. I enjoyed everything from traditional cask ale pubs to brewery taprooms and modern beer bars, with plenty of great beer throughout. Crewe has a really strong independent beer scene, and this was a cracking way to explore it.
Category Archives: Beer Festival
29/08/26 – Peterborough
Peterborough turned out to be a brilliant day for pubs and beer, with a really varied mix of places along the way. From drinking inside an old railway engine shed and aboard a historic Dutch barge, to traditional locals, micropubs and newer craft beer bars, there was plenty of character throughout the day. The Peterborough Beer Festival was a big highlight too, with a huge choice to work through. I enjoyed some excellent cask and keg beers, met plenty of friendly people and finished the evening out in Werrington. A long day, but definitely one of my favourite pub trips this year.
06/08/26 – Glasgow Real Ale Festival
I spent a cracking Thursday afternoon at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival, held inside the impressive Briggait. It was a brilliant chance to sample beers from breweries across Scotland, including a few I don’t often come across back home. As always, though, the people really made the day. It was great meeting Emily, Alex and Will, catching up with Jenny and Kenny, and chatting with plenty of other friendly faces along the way. Senga the giraffe certainly stood out too! With a fantastic historic setting, plenty of good beer and lots of laughs, G-RAF was a great afternoon.
06/06/26 – Burton Ale Trail
Today I joined the Burton Ale Trail, organised by Ian Webster, for a fantastic day exploring some of Burton upon Trent’s pubs and beer heritage. I was joined by Niall, who runs the Facebook page From Sheffield with Pubs, and it was great to spend the day chatting about pubs, history and all things beer-related. We also met up with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder at various points during the day, which made for plenty of enjoyable conversation between venues. The trail took us around a variety of pubs, each with its own character and story to tell, showcasing why Burton remains such an important town in Britain’s brewing history. With good company, interesting pubs and plenty of conversation along the way, it proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable day out.
23/05/26 – Skipton
I headed over to Skipton for a brilliant day exploring the Beer Festival along with a fantastic mix of pubs and micropubs around the town. The festival inside Skipton Town Hall had a busy, friendly atmosphere with plenty of real ales, ciders, wines and a separate KeyKeg bar to enjoy. Throughout the day I visited a great range of places, from traditional Yorkshire pubs to modern bars and cosy micropubs, each with their own character. It was also lovely catching up with Colleen from Keighley & Craven CAMRA, followers Graham and Martin, plus meeting up later with Paul, Suzie, Mike and Debbie for a few more pubs around town.
05/04/26 – Norwich
I travelled from Cambridge to Norwich on Easter Sunday, starting at The Coach & Horses and working my way through a brilliant mix of historic pubs and newer spots. Each place offered something different, from riverside views to brewpubs with beer made on site, and I enjoyed trying a wide range of cask ales throughout the day. A real highlight was meeting up with Lucy from Norwich & District CAMRA at The Leopard, and it was great exploring several pubs together, chatting and sharing recommendations. The day finished at The Fat Cat & Canary, rounding off a busy and thoroughly enjoyable pub crawl.
31/10/25-01/11/25 – Hull and Goole
I spent a couple of days exploring Hull’s pubs, and it was a brilliant mix of history, good beer and friendly people. From classic spots like the Alexandra Hotel to relaxed modern bars like Pave and Atom, every place had its own character. Hull’s Old Town was packed with cosy, quirky pubs, and the beer festival at the Minerva Masonic Hall was a real highlight. I tried everything from smooth bitters to fruity sours and had some great chats along the way. I wrapped things up with a visit to Tom Pudding in Goole before hopping on the famous “ghost train” home.
15/05/25 – Barrow Hill Rail Ale Festival
The Rail Ale Festival at Barrow Hill Roundhouse in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, celebrates the fusion of railway heritage and real ale culture. Established in 2000, the festival, which reached its 25th anniversary in 2025, takes place in the historic roundhouse, the UK’s last operational railway roundhouse built in 1870. It has expanded significantly, featuring over 400 beers and ciders in 2025, along with live music performances from diverse genres. This year, a VIP event included a multi-course meal and a selection of local breweries. Everyone enjoyed the festival’s atmosphere, connecting with fellow beer enthusiasts and industry figures.
15/02/25 – CAMRA Winter Beer Festival, Doncaster, Mexborough and Moorthorpe
The Draughtsman Alehouse, opened in April 2017, is located on Platform 3b and honours the late Barry Thompson, a draughtsman for train engines. The pub features charming décor, a great selection of locally sourced beers and spirits, and delicious pork pies. The Great British Beer Festival Winter 2025 was hosted at Magna Science Adventure Centre, showcasing a rich steel history and various breweries. Gorilla Brewing Co. opened in 2020, with a spacious taproom and a lovely beer garden. The Imperial Music Venue, home to Imperial Brewery, offers music events and a quirky atmosphere. The Mallard pub, opened in May 2023, celebrates local history in a revived railway station setting.
08/02/25 – Chesterfield Beer Festival and Dronfield
The Chesterfield Beer Festival, hosted at the historic Winding Wheel Theatre, showcases a diverse range of UK beers and offers delicious food options. The festival promotes local and further afield brews and features talks, including one on haunted pubs. Nearby, Drone Valley Brewery stands out as the UK’s only community-owned brewery, involving locals in brewing and profits reinvestment. The Coach & Horses pub, with a long history dating back to 1795, maintains its welcoming charm and features a selection of Thornbridge beers. Other local spots, like The Beer Stop and The Underdog, contribute to a thriving craft beer culture in Dronfield, enhancing the community experience.
Micropub Adventures 