Belfast Beer & Cider Festival

09/02/2026

Everyone seems to be appreciating the "outtakes" that didn't make it into my Britain's Best Tap Room article in The Telegraph this week, so here's another one.

Bullhouse East was nearly my Northern Ireland choice but was pipped by Out of Office Brewing because it's a brewery bar, not a tap - the brewery isn't at this site.

It's still great though - absolutely top class beers and probably one of the friendliest places I've been to in recent years. One of those places that you visit and feel a little bit jealous of all the people around you who are local and get to take it for granted. There's a lot of places that make me feel that in Belfast.

Bullhouse East is also spitting distance from what seems to be the regular home of the Belfast Beer & Cider Festival, which is my pick for the most important beer festival on these islands right now, in terms of impact and potential impact on beer culture. Well worth putting both on your agenda for the autumn. Bloody brilliant, the pair of them.

05/02/2026

Free The Night has formally begun a legal challenge following the Minister for Communities’ decision to reject the Independent Review of Liquor Licensing.

This challenge is being brought by our co-founder, Holly Lester, and Free The Night. Phoenix Law, acting on our behalf, has issued a pre-action letter to the Department for Communities Minister Gordon Lyons MLA. This is the first step towards a judicial review of the decision to reject the key recommendations of the University of Stirling’s Independent Review of Liquor Licensing in Northern Ireland, including reform of the surrender principle, and to retain the current licensing system.

The Minister and his Department have been given fourteen days to respond. If that response is not satisfactory, we intend to proceed with a judicial review in the High Court.

After five years of consultation, evidence-gathering and advocating for our community, we are not prepared to let this decision stand and believe it must be challenged.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over recent weeks and months. We will continue to share updates as we await the Minister’s response.

You can read the full statement on our blog.

18/11/2025

12/11/2025

The Errigle Inn have a great offer for everyone who attended the festival. To celebrate their 90th year they're offering 90p off your first pint each day for the rest of this month. Register now to get your discount voucher https://errigle.com/camra/

10/11/2025

08/11/2025

It's the last day! There's still plenty pouring, and tickets on the door! Come and enjoy the craic with us one more time in 2025!

07/11/2025

It's day 2 and we're well underway! Plenty of tickets on the door, sure why not come say hi?

07/11/2025

The end of Day 1 and 3 champions are crowned! Thanks to everyone who came today, we had a blast!!

Come join us tomorrow for day two and try the champions and some of the 100 other beers and ciders on our bar 🍻

06/11/2025

We're so open!! tickets available on the door, come see us

02/11/2025

Only a few days left until we open! There will be additional tickets available on the door on both Saturday and Friday, even though advance tickets have or will shortly sell out. Check out https://belfastbeerfestival.co.uk/ for more details.

The Belfast Beer & Cider Festival will return from Thursday November 6th to Saturday November 8th 2025. We’ll be delighted to welcome […]

27/10/2025

It's less than 10 days until we open our doors on Thursday 6th November. Check out the extensive beer and cider lists and buy your tickets at https://belfastbeerfestival.co.uk/

The Belfast Beer & Cider Festival will return from Thursday November 6th to Saturday November 8th 2025. We’ll be delighted to welcome […]

16/10/2025

Our drinks list is live! With over 100 different beers and 30+ ciders, we've got a great list with something for everyone to enjoy. Check it out a https://belfastbeerfestival.co.uk/beer_cider/beer-cider-list/
Get your tickets now at https://belfastbeerfestival.co.uk/tickets/

The Belfast Beer & Cider Festival will return from Thursday November 6th to Saturday November 8th 2025. We’ll be delighted to welcome […]