Essex has a proud history of brewing, and drinking! Many of its excellent pubs organise regular beer festivals. A pub beer festival is a great excuse to check out a pub a little further from home. Here we list many of the beer festivals in Essex (all we have been made aware of!) in reverse chronological order. Hopefully there is one happening near you tonight!
November 2012:
South Woodham Ferrers Beer Festival
2012 see the 1st South Woodham Ferrers Beer Festival, held at Champions Manor Hall, Hullbridge Road (400 yards from the Station).
October 2012:
The Bell Inn, Castle Hedingham – 26 – 28 October
The Hop Harvest Beer Festival. This new Autumn beer festival replaces their winter beer festival.
The Bell Inn also has Live music every Friday evening in the Saloon Bar.
The Bell Inn, St James Street, Castle Hedingham, Halstead CO9 3EJ.
September 2012:
The Bell, Purliegh – 21 – 23 September
Purleigh Bell Beer Festival with County Championships Ales from Devon and Gloucestershire.
The Bell, Purleigh, CM3 6QJ, UK
Grange Barn, Coggeshall – 14 – 16 September
The 3rd Grange Barn Beer Festival. A celebration of Essex’s fine real ales, Kent ciders, East Anglian wines and produce in this National Trust barn. 12:00 noon – 11:00pm (8.00pm Sunday). With Traditional craft demonstrations, children’s activities and displays, open music session, barbecue and vegetarian curry and a free ceilidh on Saturday night with music by Howe Lane and friends.
Grange Barn, Grange Hill, Coggeshall, COLCHESTER, CO6 1RE. Tel. 01376 562226
The Angel and Harp, Gt Dunmow – 13 – 16 September
Held on the Dunmow Carnival Weekend, with real ales, cider, live music and food.
The Angel and Harp, Church Street, Great Dunmow, CM6 2AD
The Chequers Goldhanger – 8 – 9 September
18 Real ales, Ciders and Perry. Saturday BBQ, Vintage Car Rally and Morrismen (1pm) Live music (Tribute act) in the evening. Sunday Live Music including a Samba Band. Telephone 01621 788203 for more details.
The Chequers, The Square, Goldhanger, Essex. CM9 8AS
August 2012:
Blue Boar, Maldon – 29 August – 1 Sept
40 Real ales, 24 at any one time. Times: Wed 29th and 30th August 11am to 11pm; Friday 31st August 5 -11pm; Saturday 1st of August 11- 11pm; Sunday 2nd September 12 -5pm.
The Blue Boar Hotel, 1 Silver Street Town Centre, Maldon CM9 4QE
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea – 25, 26 & 27 August
Beer & Wine Festival in its 2nd year. “massive selection of ales, ciders & wines from around East Anglia“. Live music too. Home-made Pastries stand, Cheese and Port stall, BBQ (if sunny). 2pm -7pm each day.
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex. SS0 7RA.
The Gun Pub, Bowers Gifford – 25 – 27 August
Ale and Cider Festival at the Gun Pub, London Road, Bowers Gifford, Pitsea, SS13 2DU.
The Blue Lion, Great Baddow – 24 – 27 August
Since coming under new ownership the Blue Lion in Great Baddow has been hosting an annual summer bank holiday beer festival.
A good selection of real ales will be on offer in the beer shed next to the beer garden. A hog roast is being served on the Saturday too (book food tickets at the bar).
The Blue Lion is on the junction of Baddow Road, Maldon Road and Baddow High Street.
Goat and Boot Beer Festival – 24 – 27 August
Friday, August 24, 2012 – 11:00am to Monday, August 27, 2012 – 10:30pm
Goat & Boot, 70 East Hill Colchester CO1 2QW. Tel: 01206 867466
Hare and Hounds, High Garrett – 24 – 27 August
13 Guest Ales & Ciders, Karaoke on the Friday Night & Live music from EAST OF JAVA on the Sunday night playing in the beer tent!
Hare & Hounds, 104 High Garrett, High Garrett CM7 5NT
6th Queen’s Head Summer Beer Festival – 24 – 27 August
With over 20 Real Ales and Ciders, plus food and live music.
Queen’s Head, 26 Providence, Burnham on Crouch, CM0 8JU.
Clacton Beer Festival at St. James’ Hall – 22 – 25 August
From Wednesday 22nd to Saturday 25th August, 18.00 to 23.00 Wednesday, 11.00 to 23.00 Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 68+ real ales*, ciders, perries, wines, and Belgian and other European beers + free soft drinks for designated drivers. Live on Thursday evening from the Onion Band. Priory Morris Dancers at about 6pm on Friday. Live Jazz from the Blackwater Jazz Band on Saturday afternoon. The Vibrators playing on Saturday night.
St. James’ Church Hall, Tower Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1LF.