Kirkstall Brewery has announced the return of THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF PRIZE ALES on the early May Bank Holiday Weekend. Kirkstall’s heritage-themed beer festival sees breweries from across the country compete to win medals in ten categories of historic beer styles.
From just one very successful day last year, the festival will now run for three days over the 3rd, 4th and 5th of May at Kirkstall Brewery itself. Each ticket grants entry to that session, as well as a unique, commemorative glass, a programme and a first beer token.
Chris Hall, Kirkstall’s Brand Manager and organiser of the festival: “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 thirty-five different breweries poured beers inspired by the 20th century, 19th century and even older. One brewer even recreated a Bronze Age Ale!”
This year’s brewers so far announced are: Allsopp’s / Amity Brew Co / Anspach & Hobday / Black Lodge / Braybrooke Beer Co / Brew York / Fell Brewery / The Five Points Brewing Company / Horsforth Brewery / The Kernel / Kirkstall Brewery / Leeds Brewery / Little Earth Project / Marble Beers / Newbarns / North / Northern Monk / Redwillow / Round Corner / Siren Craft Brew / Thornbridge / Vocation / Wishbone Brewery / Wylam / Zapato.
Already confirmed to be attending are local breweries Northern Monk, North and overall champion medal winners Amity Brew Co. Breweries from further afield, such as London’s The Five Points, Scotland’s Newbarns Brewery and Reading’s Siren Craft Brew have also confirmed they will be exhibiting.
The festival encourages attending breweries to dig deep into their local history and recreate beers that, once upon a time, would have been as cutting-edge as modern-day hazy IPAs. Everything from pale ales, lagers, porters, milds and bitters to barrel aged stock ales and imperial stouts will be pouring across four different festival sessions.
Chris: “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.”
Food (and other drinks) traders include local favourite Manjit’s Kitchen, York Gin, Mr D’s Magnificent Pie Machine and Kirkstall’s very own fish and chip shop pop-up: ‘The Aire Fryer’, as well as fresh pizza from its Taproom & Kitchen.
Live music will also be part of the line-up. Last year, performers included blues, swing and jazz musicians who added to the historic atmosphere of the event. This year’s live music artists include: Elsie Franklin, Old Time Rags, Alligator Gumbo, Hyde Park Swingers Party and Louis Louis Louis
Chris: “There will be a few more surprises in store this year, and we’re encouraging ticketholders 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.”
Ticket link: https://www.designmynight.com/leeds/whats-on/food-drink/the-great-exhibition-of-prize-ales-2024?t=tickets
All photographs provided by Kirkstll Brewery.
