Castle Beer Fest is back for 2026 and sees Nottingham’s independent breweries once again taking over Nottingham Castle for a weekend of great beer, local talent, and unbeatable views across the city.
After a hugely popular first year, the festival returns with even more to enjoy on Friday 24th April and Saturday 25th April 2026, including an expanded programme which now features a Saturday daytime session, as well as the usual evening slots over the weekend.
Set within the Castle’s atmospheric grounds and overlooking the city skyline, Castle Beer Fest offers a backdrop unlike any other beer festival in the region. Guests can enjoy Nottingham’s finest independent beers while taking in panoramic views and historic surroundings, creating a truly unique festival atmosphere.
As well as being Nottingham’s newest beer festival, it is also the only one organised entirely by the breweries themselves. Anthony Hughes, one of the festival’s organisers and Lincoln Green’s founder, commented:
“At its heart, Castle Beer Fest is a celebration of indie beer: beer made by independent brewers who put creativity, quality, and community before mass production. Choosing indie beer means supporting local businesses, protecting local jobs, and enjoying a wider range of styles and flavours than global brands typically offer.
This year’s festival will showcase everything from traditional favourites and crowd-pleasers to the weird and wonderful – all brewed exclusively by Nottingham’s independent breweries. We’re passionate about brewing beer for people to enjoy, and Castle Beer Fest is that passion brought to life.”
The festival will offer everything from small-batch cask ales and creative craft brews to locally sourced cider, spirits, and street food. Everything that can be sourced locally is, even down to the spirits on the gin bar. Castle Beer Fest brings together Nottingham’s indie breweries, food vendors, musicians, and suppliers to showcase the city’s talent in one place and celebrate the independent businesses that give Nottingham its character.
A festival spokesperson added:
“To everyone who supported us in our first year, thank you – the response was incredible, and it meant the world to all the breweries involved. Behind the scenes, we’re already working hard to make this year’s festival even better. We’re planning for faster service at the bars, increased shelter across the site, and we’ve even pushed the dates back slightly in the hope of welcoming everyone with warmer spring weather. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Castle for a smoother and even more enjoyable festival experience.”
Tickets start from £11 and will be available via Gigantic from 12pm on Friday 12th December.
For more information, visit castlebeerfest.com.
