Name: Ale And Cheese Festival
Start: 2026-10-2T12:00+1:00
End: 2026-10-3T21:00+1:00

Fri. Oct 9th, 2026

National Exhibition Centre

NEC Birmingham Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT

Upcoming Events

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october

02oct(oct 2)12:00 pm03(oct 3)9:00 pmAle And Cheese Festival

02oct12:30 pm5:00 pmWest Central CAMRA Regional Social & Award Presentation - NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Event Details

Join us on ~~Saturday 24~~ Friday 2nd October for a relaxed day of great beer, real cider and good company as we visit two outstanding Good Beer Guide pubs in Dursley.

Our day begins at The Hoptician, an award-winning micropub that opened in May 2024 in the former premises of a local optician – hence its distinctive name. Five carefully selected beers are served alongside locally produced real ciders, with additional outdoor seating available for fine weather.

At 1:30pm, we will present The Hoptician with the West Central CAMRA Regional Cider Pub of the Year Award.

Just 4 minutes away is The Old Spot, a former National Pub of the Year. This charming 18th-century free house takes its name from the famous Gloucestershire Old Spot pig and offers a wonderfully traditional atmosphere, complete with low ceilings, a welcoming wood-burning fire and an impressive collection of brewery memorabilia. It serves up to eight regular real ales.

Travel & Timings

There are regular train services to Cam & Dursley station from both Cheltenham and Gloucester. From the station, Dursley is approximately three miles away and can be reached by the Stagecoach 65 bus or by sharing a taxi with fellow attendees.

12.00–2.00pm – Meet at The Hoptician
1.30pm – Regional Cider Pub of the Year presentation at The Hoptician
3.00pm move on to The Old Spot

We hope you can join us for what promises to be an enjoyable social afternoon celebrating two excellent pubs and the very best of real ale and cider.

Brett Laniosh – Regional Director
Andrea Bennett – Regional Cider Coordinator
Peter Bennetts – Area & County Coordinator