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Lumo support for North East Beer and Cider Festival

The 46th Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival returns this week, celebrating 50 years of the Campaign for Real Ale across Tyneside and Northumberland

Published 09 Apr 2024

The 46th edition of the Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival is set to be a golden celebration, marking 50 years of the Campaign for Real Ale in Tyneside and Northumberland. Hosted at the Northumbria Students Union Building from 10th to 13th April 2024, the festival promises to be a gathering of beer and cider enthusiasts eager to explore a selection of the UK’s finest craft brews.

Attendees can indulge in a diverse array of craft beers and ciders, some specially brewed for the festival and others making their premier appearance before general release. Local breweries from Tyneside and Northumberland have been invited to create either a Golden Ale or an entirely novel beer, adding a unique twist to the festivities. 

A selection of almost 100 beers and 50 ciders will be on tap, ranging from quirky micro-breweries to established names, the Northumbria University Students Union will host the biggest showcase of its kind in the region. This year, a spirits bar will make its debut on Friday and Saturday, featuring a selection of rum, whisky, and gin to cater to a wider palate.

The festival, supported by Lumo, offers traditional pub games such as Shut the Box, Table Skittles, Crown Top Shives, and Ring the Pump, adding an extra layer of enjoyment for attendees. Live music performances are also scheduled throughout the festival, creating a vibrant and entertaining atmosphere.

Festival organiser, Anthony McMullan, said: “Every year we get better and better both in terms of the breweries taking part and visitor numbers. We are looking forward to welcoming back old and new friends who attend the festival each year, this year our first tickets were bought a couple who travel from Germany every year to sample one of the most diversely curated selection of Beers.”

The annual gathering which involves sampling and celebrating a range of beer and ciders has pioneered a new partnership with Tyneside train operator, Lumo. The company has partnered with the Campaign for Real Ale in Tyneside and Northumberland to mark the first anniversary since the launch of ‘train beer’ which is produced by Donzoko Brewing on the East Coast route. 

Martijn Gilbert, Managing Director of Lumo, said: “We’re incredibly proud to serve our locally-produced Lumo ‘train beer’ onboard our services. Since launching last May, our flavoursome pale ale is proving incredibly popular with our customers, so we’re pleased to partner with the Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival to help showcase and celebrate the work of so many local brewers.” 

The team of volunteers have a huge logistical task to organise getting literally hundreds of precious casks of ale in situ, conditioned and ready for the perfect pour every time. The event involves building several bars from scratch, organising the logistics of getting beers and ciders to the right places and ensuring that the attendees are well looked after. 

The popular event runs from 10th April to 13th April at Northumbria Students Union.

For more information visit the official website at www.nclbeerfest.uk/gettickets