27th–29th June | Cromford Mills | Free Entry
Get ready for a weekend of hops, heritage, and history as the Cromford Mills Beer Festival returns for its third year, promising to be bigger, bolder, and beerier than ever before!
From Friday 27th to Sunday 29th June, the historic setting of Cromford Mills will be transformed into a paradise for ale lovers, lager loyalists, and cider connoisseurs. Whether you’re a seasoned CAMRA member or just fancy a cheeky pint in the sun, there’s something for everyone — and entry is absolutely free!
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What’s on Tap?
This year’s festival boasts its largest selection yet of cask ales and craft beers, sourced from both local legends and top-tier national breweries. Expect rich stouts, hoppy IPAs, crisp lagers, and everything in between — plus:
• Cask Ales – Traditional, hand-pulled, and bursting with character
• Craft Beers & Cider – The best of the modern brewing scene
• Gin Bar – For those with botanical leanings
• Live Music – Toe-tapping tunes all weekend
• Street Food – Tasty treats to pair with your pint
• New for 2025: Pop-up Pub – A new experience inside the festival where you can sip in style
• Dog Friendly – Bring your four-legged friends
• Free Entry – No ticket? No problem
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A Brief History of Beer Festivals
Beer festivals may seem like a modern-day treat, but they’ve got surprisingly deep roots. The idea of gathering to celebrate and consume beer in a communal setting goes back to ancient times. However, the modern beer festival as we know it — with long rows of barrels, tasting notes, and sample glasses — really took off in the 1970s, spearheaded by movements like CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale), founded in 1971 to protect traditional British beer and pubs.
Today, beer festivals are a cherished part of UK culture, offering a mix of local craftsmanship, social connection, and plenty of good cheer. And Derbyshire is no stranger to this brewing tradition…
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A Pint of Derbyshire’s Brewing Past
Derbyshire has long been a powerhouse in the world of brewing. With its clean spring water, proximity to hop-growing regions, and strong working-class pub culture, the county has been fermenting greatness for centuries.
The Derwent Valley, where Cromford Mills sits, was a hive of activity during the Industrial Revolution — and where there’s work, there’s thirst. Local breweries popped up to slake that thirst, many of which became institutions. Today, the county is home to award-winning breweries like Thornbridge, Shiny, Dancing Duck, and many more — each helping to carry the torch of Derbyshire’s brewing legacy.
By hosting the Cromford Mills Beer Festival on such historic ground, the event is not only about enjoying a cold pint but also honouring the long, frothy lineage of local beer culture.
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Cheers to That
So mark your calendars, round up your mates (and your mutts), and head down to Cromford Mills for a weekend of beer, music, and merriment. Whether you’re in it for the hops or just the good vibes, you’re guaranteed a proper Derbyshire welcome and a pint worth writing home about.
When: 27th–29th June 2025
Where: Cromford Mills, Derbyshire
Entry: Free
Dogs: Welcome
Follow the event on socials for the full beer list and live music line-up, and don’t forget to tag your photos with #CromfordBeerFest.
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