Derby is frequently referred to as the Real Ale capital of England and in terms of it’s reputation for beer quality, appears to be the location  to visit or live if you want an ‘all-year-round’ beer festival.

This point is emphasised in the month of July when locals and visitors alike descend on the Midlands Beer Capital for the annual Derby Beer Festival.

The festival is held at the Derby Assembly Rooms with beer-lovers ready and willing to sample the scores of traditional ales, cider, Perry, bottled conditioned and overseas beers on offer. With well over 100 traditional ales from all over the United Kingdom available across its 5-day duration, there really is something for everyone. Each session is accompanied by musical entertainment in the form of folk, rock and tribute acts.

The of the Assemble Rooms is where the majority of the beers are located but the Darwin suite is also utilised and hosts  a changing mixture of beer from local and semi-local breweries. Actually, the Darwin suite proves very popular due to it’s slightly more intimate feel .

Food is available during the festival but over recent years , this has been expensive and of questionable quality. I would recommend you take your own or fill-up before you enter (or have that customary annual kebab on your journey home).

The festival is operated by volunteers from the Derby branch of The Campaign for Real Ale, or CAMRA as it is commonly abbreviated . Founded in 1971 as a non-profit consumer association , CAMRA has fought and won many battles to preserve traditional Ale and the traditional British pub. It was set up to champion consumers’ rights and recent victories being to highlight pubs serving short measures and to break-up the monopolies of large beer conglomerates.

The economic recession and the increase in alcohol duty has seen a large scale reduction in profitable public houses across the UK with a substantial amount closing or diversifying their business. This has been a testing time for CAMRA who continue to fight for the rights of Ale lovers and pub landlords alike.

The 33rd Derby Beer Festival will be held at the Derby Assembly Rooms between Wednesday 7th and Sunday 11th July 2010 and this is the very first year when the festival will be open all day on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday (11.30 – 23.00).

For full details on this fantastic festival, visit http://www.derbybeerfestival.co.uk

It is planned that the opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday evening at 1815 in the Market Place by the Mayor of Derby, the Beer King plus a Private Derby-Mercian Regimental Mascot.

The summer Derby Beer Festival is complemented by a smaller but just as enjoyable Winter Beer Festival. This event also takes place at the Derby Assembly Rooms in the cosy Darwin Suite every February.