Beer festival returns to Belfast

Ireland’s biggest bar re-opens for business at the end of next month – but strictly for three days only.

The eighth Belfast Beer and Music Festival which will take place at the Ulster Hall between Thursday November 16 and Saturday November 18.

The Festival is organised by the Northern Ireland branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA NI) – celebrating its 25th anniversary this year - in association with Belfast City Council and Downtown Radio.

The Belfast Beer and Music Festival once again will give an opportunity for local beer lovers to sample one of the most diverse range of brews ever assembled in one place at one time on the island of Ireland.

Ales from the Northern Ireland’s own award-winning Hilden and Whitewater breweries will head the menu of more than 100 beers – with 50 different brews on offer each day, including the finest bitters, milds, lagers, porters and stouts, as well as organic and wheat beers, ciders and perries from more than 30 breweries throughout the British Isles.

Among the beers on offer this year will be the current ‘Champion Beer of Britain’, Crouch Vale ‘Brewers’ Gold’. It will be joined by old favourites such as ‘K&B Sussex Bitter’, Bateman’s ‘Salem Porter’, Shepherd Neame ‘Spitfire’, ‘Whitby Abbey Ale’, ‘Pendle Witches Brew’, Marston’s ‘Pedigree’, ‘Titanic Mild’ and Deuchar’s IPA.

Also featured this year will be two beers – ‘Molly’s Chocolate Stout’ and ‘Headless Dog’ – from Hilden’s new College Green micro-brewery in Belfast’s University area. There also will be a rare opportunity to sample draught ales from the Strangford Lough Brewery, and a few favourites from south of the border, such as Carlow’s ‘Curim Gold’ and Messers’ Maguires’ Plain Porter.

Hilden’s acclaimed restaurant also once again temporarily will relocate to The Group, where a special festival bistro and wine bar will offer a ‘chill out’ space.

There also will be a packed entertainment programme, featuring some of Northern Ireland’s top jazz, blues and rock musicians.

The Illegal Eagles make their annual Festival appearance, and this year they will be joined by The Sabrejets, Luvbug, The PM Big Band and The Rab McCullough Band.

The Saturday evening will be headlined by The Pat McManus Band, with Pat returning to the Ulster Hall stage some 15 or so years after he last graced it, as a member of Mama’s Boys.

The Belfast Beer Festival runs from Thursday November 16 until Saturday November 19 inclusive, from 11.30am until 11pm daily. Admission is free between 11.30am and 3pm, £3 between 3pm and 6pm and £6 after 6pm.

(EF)