It's the first day of the Nottingham Robin Hood Beer Festival 2022 and already the specially created bars are heaving with drinkers keen to sample the latest creations from some of the best breweries. The festival, organised by the Nottingham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), opened its doors today at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground.
There is no shortage of half pints to pick from as there are almost 800 beers and over 150 different ciders across the cricket grounds including the best brews from local and country-wide breweries.. It has taken 400 volunteers alongside CAMRA to ensure the festival got set up, and all beers or ciders were sampled ahead of today.
Among those there for the first day of the event was Nottingham's Robin Hood, Tim pollard. He said: "Today has been absolutely brilliant. The weather could be better but the attendance has been great. Huge range of beers and ciders on offer. I’ve just judged the cider competition and there were loads of nice ones. It’s going to be a great few days."
CAMRA secretary Andrew Ludlow said: "It’s been brilliant although the weather isn’t as good as we could have hoped for. The drizzle has been made up for by the enthusiasm of customers enjoying their beers.
"At the moment, it looks like it’s going to be a great success. So 2023 should even bigger and better. Something that everyone can look forward to so get that in your diary for this time next year. It’s hard to tell a favourite so far because we have such a huge range of beers and ciders. So far nothing has run out and people keep coming up to ask if I have tried the raspberry beers. Everything seems to be going well with plenty left for the next few days."
Staff were already firing out the drinks as customers lined up to collect a limited edition Nottingham Beer Festival glass. Meanwhile, the two entertainment stages began with performances from The Carlton Male Voice Choir on the main stage. On the acoustic stage, drag performance Zandra and 'Harry Hill' began their show to enthusiastic customers.
Lizzie Laithrope, who is a barmaid at the Bread and Bitter Castle Rock pub in Mapperley, said: "I’ve worked the festival before but I’ve not been here as a customer like I am now. I really like it but I’ve not fully walked around yet as I’ve only done this section. It’s a lot better laid out here then the ice arena. I’ve only had one so far and I’m drinking she’s a peach by Lenton lane and it’s really nice. My friends are drinking a 21% stout from Navigation."
The festival will take place over four days before finishing on Saturday, October 15 at 11pm. Huge crowds are expected across all days with thousands visiting in previous years.
JD Atkins, who owns Sneinton Cider Company, said: "We’ve been coming here for many years but this is our fourth year providing Sneinton cider company cider to the festival. The work that has gone in to this is incredible. I’ve spent a lot of time at the cider bar and organiser Heather Stretton has done a great job. It’s great that it’s real cider here made traditionally as they are really strict on that.
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"I would argue this is one of the best collections of real cider that is traditionally made perhaps globally. Which is great considering this is in Notts."
Festival attendees were in good spirits as they headed to the bars to get the first order of the day in. Several of the breweries built their own bars for the event including Blue Monkey, Navigation and Castle Rock.
There were also a number of bars with barrels from multiple breweries with barrels draped in blue and yellow in support of Ukraine. A smaller bar called Nano Brewery showcased the very best in smaller, independent craft beer or cider creators.
Graeme Green, of Forest fields, who is a Hop Idol Notts craft beer festival winner, said: "I came here for the enjoyment of the local beer and the community between the breweries. There is such a wonderful mix here and it’s part of the economy of Notts. I participated in the Hop Idol Craft Beer Festival and, you get a real sense of the community between Brewers here.
"It’s not dominated by the national breweries any more like it used to be. It’s part of the fabric of Nottingham and it’s lovely to be a part of it."
Beers and ciders were available at different strengths including one beer that packed a punch at 23 percent.. Drinks are sold by the third or half instead of a pint which is just as well given the event runs from 4pm until 11pm.
For anyone needing soakage, there were a number of street food vendors on hand to provide stomach lining in the form of burgers, pizzas, cheese toasties, Indian cuisine and artisan crisps. Customers were already tucking into a late lunch with their first drink.
Marta Adcock, 35, of Netherfield, said: "It’s been a wonderful atmosphere. I’ve really enjoyed it. I’m coming back on Saturday and can’t wait to sample the 23% beer from navigation brewery."
Carrie Derbyshire, 41 , of Eastwood, said: "I’ve been to the festival before but not at Trent Bridge. I really like it here and I liked the layout. It’s great that it’s both outdoors but there is some cover. The atmosphere is really great. I’m only on my second drink and both have been sours but both have been excellent. One was from Overton brewery and the other was from Blue Monkey who are local."
The impressive cider bar has been busy with almost 200 different drinks on display with options from Kent to Wales. There are some weighing in at 4.5 percent which is the average for a cider up to a whopping 8 percent which may require a glass of water or two afterward.
The first time slot for the beer festival had been opened for trade only with no members of the public allowed. This gives others in the industry a chance to test a few of the newest creations and network with others.
Jo Higgins, 31 from Lenton said: "This is my first time and I’m really enjoying myself. I’ve been to the Black Iris tent, Blue Monkey bar and also Liquid light. My favourite has been the Brew York beer which is very good."
It's a welcome return for the festival after two years of Covid restrictions but the organisers have plans to expand the festival going forward to make it even bigger next year.
David Adans, 56, of Woodborough, said: "I’ve just been to get some food to line the stomach. The selection has been ace but my favourite is the crisp tent. Can’t go wrong with a good crisp or three."
Ben lord, of Beeston said: "‘It’s been wonderful as there are so many people here. All people from different walks of life. Loads of breweries here to choose from. The whole of Nottingham is here or passing through."
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