Briarbank Brewery and CAMRA to bring back Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival after eight-year hiatus

Beer fans rejoice as a popular Suffolk brewers festival is set to return after an eight-year hiatus.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has partnered with Briarbank Brewery to bring back the Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival for its 33rd year.

Over 100 real ales, craft beers and ciders from both local and national suppliers, as well as good food, will be on offer at St Clement's Church in Fore Street between July 27 and 30.

It will replace the festival previously held at the Corn Exchange and other venues around the town.

Robert Lewis-Pyke, the head brewer at Briarbank, said: "I've been thinking about organising a beer festival on a larger scale for a while now, and following talks with CAMRA, 2023 felt like the right time to bring back the classic Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival.

"I used to attend back in the day, and it's one of the things that started my passion for brewing.

"I'm really looking forward to working with other brewers, bringing their beer and cider to the town."

It would be the first indoor festival CAMRA has hosted since 2015.

The firm's East Suffolk chairman Gordon Taylor said they were excited to be bringing the festival back in such a historic setting.

St Clement's Church is currently being revived as a community asset

It has been under the care of Ipswich Historic Church Trust since 1981.

Peter Brooks, the chairman of the Trust, is leading the St Clement's project.

He said the team were pleased to welcome the return of the beer festival, as it would enable them to raise awareness of the church's new use.

Mr Brooks added: "We need more funds to fully re-develop the building for a wide range of charity and other community events.

"We are seeking grants and donations, and events like the beer festival are important to show the wider community that St Clement's is here and available for them to use, and it will help us achieve our ambitions."

Tickets are available for single days or weekends.

There is also the option to buy beer tokens in the lead-up to the festival.

An early-bird deal on for tickets is currently on. Day tickets are £7, while weekend tickets are £15.

Tickets will rise to their normal prices of £10 and £20, respectively, on June 30.

In addition, you can buy £10 worth of beer tokens for £9, rising to its normal price on the same date.