Why not experience the best of the local beer festivals this summer! We'll be at the events listed below, the perfect opportunity to taste something new, or pop along for an all-time favourite tipple from Exeter Brewery.
Looe Beer Festival
15th - 17th May | Tencreek Holiday Park, Looe, Cornwall looebeerfestival.co.uk
Set just outside the picturesque harbour town of Looe, this Cornish weekender is a celebration of the finest craft beers, ales and ciders, with main partner Keltek Brewery joined by a strong line-up of breweries from across the region. There's live music throughout (with acts including Mad Dog Mcrea and Ocean City Groove), a selection of local food trucks, and a family-friendly atmosphere with activities for all ages. If you fancy making a weekend of it, the Tencreek site offers caravans, touring pitches and camping, so you can settle in for the full festival experience by the Cornish coast.
Cambridge Beer Festival
18th - 23rd May | Jesus Green, Cambridge cambridgebeerfestival.com
The UK's longest-running CAMRA beer festival, first held back in 1974, and one of the largest in the country. Pitched in marquees on Jesus Green, a short walk from the city centre, it pours more than 200 British real ales from over 100 breweries, alongside 80-plus ciders and perries, an international bar, mead and wine. Don't miss the famous cheese counter, run by volunteers and stocked with British cheeses, pork pies, scotch eggs and fresh bread to soak it all up. The Champion Beer of Britain winner is traditionally announced on the second day, and entry is free for CAMRA members at every session.
Nomansland Beer Festival
29th - 30th May | Nomansland Cricket Club, near Tiverton, Devon nomanslandbeerfest.org
A proper West Country gathering, with over 20 Devon beers and ciders, a range of food outlets and live music running across Friday night and all day Saturday. Gates open 6pm to 11pm on the Friday, then 12pm right through to midnight on the Saturday. It's a not-for-profit run entirely by volunteers, and an impressive one at that: the festival has raised more than £30,000 for local good causes across its previous events, from village schools to search and rescue. Advance tickets are cheaper than paying on the door, and booking ahead helps the organisers plan.
Love St Thomas Summer Festival
4th July | The Old Church Yard, St Thomas the Apostle Church, Cowick Street, Exeter
Right on our doorstep, this family-friendly, community-centred festival fills the day (12pm to 5pm) with live music, DJs, performances, talks and workshops for children and adults alike, plus independent stalls, a food market and a bar. It's an affordable, welcoming day out with plenty of free activities, and a lovely chance to enjoy a local pint in the heart of St Thomas.
Ipple Tipple Beer Festival
18th July | Ipplepen Park, Ipplepen, near Newton Abbot ippletipple.co.uk
Part of the long-running Ipplepen Village Show, the Ipple Tipple brings together a great selection of Devon ales and ciders, street food, and live music and DJs from 2pm into the late evening. The village show itself opens earlier in the afternoon with prize-winning fruit, vegetables and flowers, craft displays, classic cars and stalls, so there's something for all the family. It's volunteer-run, with funds raised going straight back into the local community.
Sidmouth Folk Festival
31st July - 7th Aug | Town-wide, Sidmouth, Devon sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk
The festival to round off the summer in style. Now in its 72nd year and running since 1955, Sidmouth Folk Festival spreads across the whole seaside town for eight days of world-class folk music, song and dance. Expect hundreds of concerts, ceilidhs and dance displays, more than 250 workshops, a free children's festival, and pub sessions and singarounds in every corner. Whether you dip in for a day or immerse yourself all week, it's the perfect setting to soak up the atmosphere on the Esplanade with a pint in hand.