Eastbourne Beer Festival Returns To Western Lawns This Weekend

The three-day Beer & Cider by the Sea festival returns to the Western Lawns from Friday, May 19 until Sunday 21.

Customers can expect more than 100 real ales, ciders and perries with craft beers added to the ale line up.

The event draws brewers from across Sussex, including the award-winning Long Man at Litlington, Gun at Chiddingly, Route 21 in Eastbourne and Only With Love in Uckfield.

Brewers from across the UK will also be offering their wares, from Sheffield’s Little Critters and Bristol Beer Factory to Marble in Manchester and Tiny Rebel in Gwent.

 Real ale fans will be able to choose from a range of uniquely named brews across the festival such as Bark at the Moon, Oppenchops, Chummy Bluster and Challenge Accepted, as well as a new range of KeyKeg craft beers including Stoutzilla, Spend Your Wishes and No Day for a Do.

 It’s not just all about the beer though as cider and perry producers from across the country will be joining the line-up. Among them are Bignose & Beardy, Merry Moon and SeaCider with ciders such as Dark Cider the Moon, Raspberry Ripple, Sweet Maid in Devon, The General and Silly Moo.

With fine ales and cask ciders kept in the best cellar conditions, along with bottled beers of the world, wines, Prosecco, Pimm’s, cocktails and gins, organisers say this year’s extravaganza promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Eastbourne Borough Council Lead Cabinet Member for Tourism and Culture Councillor Margaret Bannister said:

“This is the perfect refreshment to your weekend – sensational ales and tantalising ciders, all washed down with a superb line-up of entertainment.  Whether you are a real ale aficionado or a live music fan, the festival is always a sure-fire winner for a great afternoon or evening out.”

CAMRA volunteers will be on hand throughout the festival to offer advice and tips for a perfect beverage, and there’s plenty of seating.

This year festival organisers have also introduced reusable festival pint cups, included in the ticket price, to reduce waste and provide a souvenir to take home.

The live music line-up throughout the weekend sees Rewind 45 and Hot Detroit on Friday evening; Stray Dogs and The Pat Butchers on Saturday afternoon; The Do Theys and Fat Freddie & The Queens on Saturday evening with Stage Door Jazz, Andy T King as ELVIS and Brotherhood taking to the stage on Sunday.       

Session times are 5pm-10pm on Friday; 11am-4pm and 5pm-10pm on Saturday and 12pm-5pm Sunday and Tasting Notes are now available online to peruse in advance of the event.

Tickets are available from £8.70 per adult, £7.70 for CAMRA members and £3 per child at www.EastbourneBeerFestivals.co.uk.  Children’s tickets are available for afternoon sessions only. 

Festival goers can also enjoy a ride on Eastbourne’s Big Wheel, also located on the Western Lawns.

The Big Wheel, standing 160 feet tall with individual pods and offering the best panoramic views of the town, nearby downland, and stunning Sussex coastline, is open daily from 11am-6pm.

For more information visit www.eastbournewheel.com.