CAMRA Beer Festival returns to Darlington’s Hopetown

The festival – which previously took place at the Darlington Arts Centre before its closure in July 2012 – kicks off this Friday (February 21) and will last all weekend until Sunday. 

The town has been without the CAMRA beer festival for more than five years, with the last event in 2020 sadly being cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. 

But after a few years away beer fans will be overjoyed to know it’s returning once again – this time at the recently opened Hopetown Museum, off High Northgate. 

The event will be open from 12pm until 10pm ever day, with craft stalls open all day and street food up for grabs from 5pm onwards.

From nutty nectar and skull attack to kicking donkey, there is a whole range of traditional ales for visitors to try, alongside a range of pales and stouts. 

The Darlington Beer Festival is back (Image: CAMRA)

For those who like a sweeter tipple, there is a selection of cider on sale, with flavours including pear and chilli, cherry, and a ‘green dragon’. 

The event will be showing the Six Nations rugby matches on Saturday, which include Wales v Ireland at 2pm and England v Scotland at 4.45pm. 

There will also be a charity quick on Sunday afternoon, hosted at 4.30pm by  Dave of Crafty’s Quiz fame.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service is the chosen charity of the event too, with punters asked to bring some change.

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Chris Corr, representing the Campaign for Real Ale, previously said: “The Branch is excited to be able to utilise such a fantastic venue at Hopetown and we hope that people from Darlington and further afield will embrace this fantastic social event in a wonderful museum.

“Branch Members are integral to making the Beer Festival a success for everyone, and we need plenty of volunteers to help out. 

“If you would like to register your interest, and any particular skills you have that may be able to help us out please get in touch by emailing contact@darlo.camra.org.uk.”