Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival returns with 100 real ales

After months of preparation, the Ipswich Beer and Cider Festival is all set for its 34th edition.

The festival, which saw almost 2,000 visitors in 2023, is ready to welcome drinkers again from Thursday, July 25 to Sunday, July 28 at St Clement’s Church.

As one of the area's major events, this year’s festival promises to provide visitors with a range of drinks with more than 100 real ales, craft beers and ciders.

This year the festival will feature the Briarbank Brewery collaboration bar (Image: Submitted)

These will be sourced from both nearby and nationwide breweries.

A new feature this year is the Briarbank Brewery collaboration bar.

Festival organiser and head brewer at  Briarbank, Rob Pyke, said: “There are some great independent breweries within our region and further afield, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend the last few weeks visiting and producing collab beers with five of them. It’s been an absolute pleasure to brew with each one.

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"I can’t wait to see what our festival visitors think of our creations."

These breweries include Artefact Brewing, Ampersand Brew Co, Copper Beech Brewing Company, Datum Attitude Brewing Co and Old Chimneys Brewery.

Several Suffolk-based breweries will also feature at the festival, contributing a variety of delicate creations.

In addition to the plethora of beers and ciders, there will be a range of soft drinks and spirits.

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Food vendors, TFI Vegan and The Cheese & Pie Man, are guaranteed to tantalise the taste buds even further.

For those interested, tickets cost £7 for Thursday, £10 for Friday or Saturday, and £20 for a festival ticket.

Sunday's admission is free, however a ticket is still required.

Tickets can be purchased in advance or acquired at the door from the festival's official website.