Where to taste Britain’s historic beers this bank holiday weekend

Kirkstall Brewery will host a heritage-themed beer festival this bank holiday weekend with the return of The Great Exhibition of Prize Ales.

The festival, which will run from 3-5 May at the brewery which is located on Kirkstall Road in Leeds, will see more than 85 special beers being poured by more than 25 British breweries. The breweries will then compete in the Great Exhibition of Prize Ales event in an attempt to win medals across 10 historic beer styles.

The decision to host the festival follows the success of Kirkstall hosting the event last year. The Yorkshire brewery has said that it hopes to transport people back in time by making a range of British beer styles available that have been recreated from decades-old recipes.

Kirkstall’s brand manager and organiser of the festival Chris Hall said: “Last year we established a new kind of beer festival that joined breweries large and small, old and new, to celebrate the innovations in brewing that have occurred throughout our history. Over 35 different breweries poured beers inspired by the 20th century, 19th century and even older. One brewer even recreated a bronze age ale.”

Visitors can expect a range of breweries pouring special beers inspired by the past. So far, the breweries that will be pouring include: Allsopp’s; Amity Brew Co; Anspach & Hobday; Anthology Brew Co; Black Lodge; Braybrooke Beer Co; Brew York; Craven; Fell Brewery; The Five Points; Horsforth; Kirkstall; Leeds Brewery; Little Earth Project; Marble Beers; Newbarns; North; Northern Monk; Round Corner; Samuel Smith’s; Siren Craft Brew; Theakston’s; Thornbridge; Vocation and Wylam

Hall explained: “This year we wanted to go bigger, and even better. We’ll be pouring an even wider variety of beers so that there really is something for everyone to enjoy, and we’re inviting local spirits and soft drinks brands to be part of the fun, along with great food and live music.”

Tickets for the Great Exhibition of Prize Ales are priced at £18 per session. Upon entry, ticket holders will receive a unique commemorative glass, a programme, and their first beer token. Tokens for sale on the day are priced at £2.50 and can be exchanged for a 1/2 pint of beer under 7% ABV, or a 1/3 pint of beer 7% and above.

As well as the historic beers, the festival will also feature food stalls, live entertainment from local artists, such as Alligator Gumbo, Hyde Park Swingers Party, and Louis Louis Louis.

Hall added: “There will be a few more surprises in store this year, and we’re encouraging ticket holders to join us in the spirit of the occasion and dress in period costume, if they fancy it. We really enjoyed hosting such a lovely crowd last year and this time we want to make the experience even more enjoyable.”