After a dry two years, Newcastle Beer and Cider Festival is now back and it's eager to make up for lost time.
The popular festival, which has been cancelled since 2019 due to the pandemic, opened on Wednesday at Northumbria University Students' Union with a huge range of brews ready to slake that thirst. The news of its comeback delighted its fans and the festival, now in its 44th year, is set to receive a warm welcome throughout its four-day run.
For those planning a visit to sample some of the best ales and ciders around, here's a guide to the big event.
Read more: Gateshead Beer & Music Festival comes blasting back
Where and when
The festival site will be on the first floor of Northumbria University 's Students' Union, which is a short walk from the city 's Haymarket Metro Station, where it will run from Wednesday, April 6 until Saturday, April 9.
What's on offer
More than 100 beers and around 50 ciders and perries plus other drinks. One to look out for will be a newcomer from The Twice Brew House in Northumberland which celebrates this year's 1,900 year anniversary of Hadrian’s Wall. This beer, totally botanical with no hops, has been two years in the making and local archaeologists also have been involved in its research and production.
Other local breweries taking part will include Cullercoats, Firebrick, Hadrian Border, Hexhamshire and Tyne Bank breweries while among others further afield will be Fyne Ales, Titanic and Tiny Rebel.
How does it all work?
A beer token system will be in operation at the bars. Servings will be in half-pints (thirds for very strong brews). Tokens will be in £1.90 denominations and one beer, cider or perry will be one token. Gin could require several tokens.
And if you fancy sampling a real variety, a new option for this year is to swap two standard half-pint tokens for three 'thirds' tokens.
Look out for the 2020 branding on the half-pint glasses (£2). This is stock that went unused because of the festival's cancellation that year so the glass might make for a quirky souvenir. Otherwise it can be returned afterwards for a refund.
Session timings
Wednesday - Opening time is 6pm (5pm for CAMRA members); last admission is 10.15pm and time at the bar 11pm.
Thursday - Open 12noon; last admission 10.15pm and time at the bar 11pm.
Friday - Open 12noon; last admission 10.15pm and time at the bar 11pm.
Saturday -Open 12noon; last admission 4.15pm and time called at 5pm.
Tickets
Entry costs £3 (free to CAMRA members). Tickets are by way of a wristband which is needed for service at the bars.
A fast-track package of five drink token, glass, programme and admission (reduced by £3 for CAMRA members) is available for £14.50.
See online here for festival information and advance sales but walk-ins are welcome.
What about entertainment?
Wednesday - A Battle of the Beers announcement will take place at the opening session.
Thursday - 7.30pm-8.30pm, an acoustic set by Jonny Pollard will be followed from 9.30pm-10.30pm by rock five-piece Dead Hand.
Friday - 7pm-8.30pm, singer Bradley Thompson then, 9.30pm-10.30pm, Spanish-influenced Los Capitanes.
Saturday - 2.30pm Blistered Molly will be playing classic rock covers.
Anything else to know?
Thursday is the festival's Silly Hat day when staff and visitors are encouraged to attend in imaginative headwear.
This year's festival charities are St Oswald's Hospice and Mind Tyneside and Northumberland so visitors can have the chance of helping to boost the coffers.
