Rarely seen ales at Salisbury Summerfest

Monday, 9 June 2025 05:55

Some great real ales from the Midlands and the North, not often found as far south as Wiltshire, will be on sale at Summerfest, Salisbury’s popular summer beer and cider festival, which will be returning to the city’s Guildhall on 20th- 21st June 2025.

It is run by the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

They will reinforce the wonderful real ales and ciders from Wiltshire and its surrounding counties, which will remain at the heart of the festival.

The visitors from up north include 50 Winks, a ruby mild produced by the Wakey Wakey Brewing Company in Rochdale, Lancashire; Triple Hop, a golden ale using, as its name suggests, three hop variants from the Brunswick Brewing Company in Derby; and Zambesi Rouser, a pale ale from the Empire micro-brewery in the idyllic Yorkshire village of Slaithwaite.

“While our commitment to our much-loved local breweries remains absolute, we thought that we should introduce our festival-goers to some beers that they are unlikely to find anywhere else in the Salisbury area,” said Andrew Hesketh, festivals co-ordinator for the Salisbury & South Wiltshire branch of CAMRA. “They will be able to broaden their beer-drinking horizons without leaving the magnificent surroundings of Salisbury Guildhall.”

Drinks will be sold in half pints and one-third of a pint measures, and card-carrying CAMRA members will get half a pint free.

Having listened to customer feedback from last year, the organisers are extending the closing time on Saturday evening to 9.00 pm and splitting the day into two separate sessions.

The festival will begin on Friday, 20th June, at 6:30 pm and continue through to 11:00 pm. It will also take place on Saturday, 21st June, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and then from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Tickets cost £12, but as an introductory offer for the Saturday evening session, the organisers are charging just £8.

The 2024 event sold out in advance, so anyone wishing to attend the 2025 festival is advised to book now at www.salisburycamra.org.uk/events

More from Local News

Webinar to find out about support for SEND children in Summer Holidays

Wiltshire Council invites parents and carers of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to join a webinar later this month to learn about the support and activities available to them and their children during the summer holidays.
Young cancer patient calls on community to join her family at Walk for Wards

Video

A Salisbury girl, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is calling on the community to join the Stars Appeal’s Walk for Wards and help children like her being treated at Salisbury Hospital.
Newly remodelled forecourt at Salisbury Railway Station provides a "grand entrance to a historic city"

The forecourt at Salisbury Railway Station has been completely transformed, creating a more welcoming, accessible, and vibrant gateway to our historic cathedral city for both visitors and residents, according to Wiltshire Council.
Critically Endangered White-Backed Vulture Chick Hatches at Longleat

A rare African white-backed vulture chick has hatched at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire - the first successful arrival of its kind at the site in over a decade.
Dorchester captain joins Salisbury for new season

Salisbury FC have announced the signing of midfielder Jordan Ngalo from Dorchester Town ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Alabaré give thanks to volunteers with Tea Party

Salisbury-based charity Alabaré is celebrating its army of volunteers this week, including bringing them together for a special tea party to express its gratitude for their support and hard work.
Salisbury Hospice Charity to Jail Local Business People for a Good Cause

Salisbury Hospice's Jail and Bail event returns for 2025 with a new lineup charged with crimes in the workplace.
Man jailed for theft and handling stolen goods in Salisbury

A man has been jailed for handling stolen goods and theft following incidents in Salisbury.