Beer fans raise a toast to Nottingham’s independent breweries who will be giving up one of their weekends next April to treat the tastebuds of the region’s ale aficionados at the city’s annual beer festival.

Organisers have just announced Castle Beer Fest is returning in 2026 after making its debut last year and the breweries will again be taking over Nottingham Castle.

The festival will be offering even more to enjoy, including an expanded programme which now features a Saturday daytime session as well as the usual evening slots over two days – April 25 and 26.

Guests can again enjoy Nottingham’s finest independent beers while taking in panoramic views and historic surroundings of the castle, 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, said “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 to 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 event 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.

Food vendors, musicians, and suppliers will also be in attendance to help showcase the city’s talent in one place and celebrate the independent businesses that give Nottingham its character.

A festival spokesperson said: 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 are available via Gigantic now.