7 summer beer festivals in Norfolk to look forward to

The Norwich City of Ale 2023 launch event at The Waterfront Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley/Newsquest 2023)

1. Norwich City of Ale

Where: Various Norwich venues

When: May 23-June 23

Price: Various, see ale trails and events at cityofale.org.uk

This popular festival is back for its 12th edition and 52 city pubs are involved in the eight different ale trails. 

There are various events planned, including tap takeovers with food parings at Yalm in the Royal Arcade. 

READ MORE: Norwich venue to be transformed into summer beer hall

Rails & Ales returns to the North Norfolk Railway, pictured is Sheringham Station Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

2. Rails & Ales

When: June 7-9, train timetable TBA

Where: North Norfolk Railway - Sheringham, NR26 8RA/Holt, NR25 6AJ (car park at Weybourne closed during event) 

Price: Book one, two or three-day rover tickets at nnrailway.co.uk

Rails & Ales will be a celebration of steam and diesel power, coupled with a showcase of Norfolk breweries. 

There will be bottled beers and ciders at Holt at Sheringham stations, with a real ale bar at Weybourne. 

Woodforde's Brewery beers will be served at the Lyng event Picture: Woodforde's (Image: Woodforde's)

3. Beer, Gin & Rum Festival

Where: Lyng Village Hall, Richmond Place, Lyng, NR9 5RF

When: June 15, 12noon-9pm

Price: Beer vouchers available on the door - pint: £4, half: £2, spirit and mixer: £4.25

Enjoy a range of beers, gins and rums from local breweries and distillers, with food vendors during the afternoon and a barbecue from 6pm.

There will also be children's entertainment from 3pm to 6pm and live music from 6.30pm to 9pm. 

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson's beer to launch at Norfolk taproom for £3 a pint

Morley Festival returns in summer 2024 Picture: Kerridge Weddings (kerridgeweddings.co.uk) (Image: kerridgeweddings.co.uk)

4. Morley Festival

Where: Derek Daniels Playing Field, Golf Links Road, Morley, NR18 9SU

When: June 21: 5pm-11pm, June 22: 12noon-11pm

Price: Adults: £13.70-£27.80, teens (15-17): £6.13, children (14 and under): free (booking still required), morleyfestivalnorfolk.co.uk

This festival will boast a real ale and cider bar, with more than 40 drinks to choose from, a gin bar, street food vendors and Saturday is jam-packed with family activities.

Live music is a big part of the event with Audio Junkie and The Counterfeit Brits on Friday and The Foreign Locals, The Lee Vasey Band, Agent Orange, Serena Grant & Band and the Avi80rs on Saturday. 

Lee Curson from Aylsham Round Table, which hosts the annual festival Picture: Mark Bullimore (Image: MARK BULLIMORE)

5. Aylsham Round Table Beer & Gin Festival 

When: July 19: 6pm-11pm, July 20: 11am-11pm 

Where: Aylsham Town Hall, Market Place, Aylsham, NR11 6EL

Price: TBA

Join Aylsham Round Table for a two-day event featuring beer, cider, gin, food and live music.

The festival will raise money for the local community and charities. 

READ MORE: Garden bar returning to Norwich this summer with art-inspired menu

The North Walsham Beer Festival 2023 Picture: North Walsham Beer Festival (Image: North Walsham Beer Festival)

6. The North Walsham Beer Festival

Where: North Walsham Memorial Park, New Road, North Walsham, NR28 9DF

When: August 9: 6pm-11pm, August 10: 12noon-11pm 

Price: Day ticket: £10, weekend ticket: £18 (both include souvenir festival glass), northwalshambeerfestival.com

The North Walsham Beer Festival is returning bigger and better this summer with added gin and rum bars. 

There is a jam-packed live music programme, including Dave Pearce's Ibiza Dance Anthems on Friday night. 

The festival is hosted by North Walsham & District Round Table and it raises money for local causes.

The main bar will be at Dereham Station Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Newsquest)

7. Mid-Norfolk Beer, Music & Food Festival

Where: Mid-Norfolk Railway, Station Road, Dereham, NR19 1DF

When: August 23-26, main bar at Dereham Station open 11am to 11pm (closes 8pm on Monday), train timetable TBA 

Price: Starter packs: £15 (including a souvenir pint cup), tokens: £12 per set, see train day rover fares at midnorfolkrailway.co.uk

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is bringing in real ales and ciders from across the country, including local breweries.

The main bar is at Dereham Station, with a smaller one at Thuxton, and there will also be live music.