47th Norwich Beer Festival

The Norwich Beer Festival is back at The Halls from 26 to 31 October, and this year it's a bit of a homecoming for both the festival and the venue. The Halls — St Andrew's and Blackfriars Halls on St Andrew's Street — has been the festival's home since it started in 1977, with only three breaks in all that time: one in 1989, the pandemic in 2020, and a two-year gap while the venue went through critical restoration work. This edition marks the return to the fully restored halls, and it arrives as the Norwich & District Branch of CAMRA celebrates its 50th year.

It's a proper volunteer-run affair, put on entirely by the local CAMRA branch, and it draws people from across the region. Around 40,000 pints are poured each year, making it one of the most popular beer events in the UK. This year's 50th anniversary has brought a few extras to the mix: a celebratory golden ale brewed in collaboration with All Day Brewing Company, which the public got to name, and the return of the collectible dragon-themed glass that's become a local favourite. There's also a charitable side to it, with tokens and spare change donated throughout the festival going to Keeping Abreast, a Norfolk charity.

Advance tickets have now ended, but you can still get in on the door. If you're a CAMRA member, entry is free at all sessions. The festival runs from 26 to 31 October at The Halls, St Andrew's Street, Norwich NR3 1AU.