After last year’s success, the popular Beer and Cider By The Sea festival returns in May, kicking off a three day extravaganza to tantalise the taste buds. This year, organisers are inviting local bars and pubs to take part in the new Cocktail competition where winning recipes will be on sale at the festival!
The three day food and drink festival which takes place Friday 23 to Sunday 25 May will delight real ale and cider lovers who can sample around 100 real ales, ciders and perries. Guests can explore a range of award-winning tipples with drinks ranging from the Sussex based Long Man and Beachy Head breweries to regional tipples from St Austell, Adnams and many more.
This year, organisers are inviting local bars, pubs, restaurants and hotels to create a new cocktail in a competition held prior to the event. The best three cocktails chosen by judges will be on sale at Beer and Cider By the Sea.
With a list of all of the entries on VisitEastbourne.com throughout May, cocktail fans will be invited to visit each venue to sample their unique recipe in the lead up to the event.
Eastbourne Borough Council Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure, Cllr Carolyn Heaps said “We are delighted to host Beer and Cider by the Sea for the second year. The festival makes Eastbourne the perfect holiday choice for a lively Whitsun bank holiday weekend. I suggest buying your tickets quick so you don’t miss out!
“We encourage local bars and pubs to get involved with the new cocktail competition and look forward to trying the delights!”
The list of beers on offer will include half from the Sussex area and a range of wines and bottled beers from around the world will also be on offer for an international flavour.
The festival will also feature the National Cider and Perry Collection, cider fans can sample some ‘Double Vision’ or a ‘Knicker Dropper’ along with some great entertainment from live bands on the festival stage throughout the weekend.
Kicking off the three-day entertainment programme on Friday is Soul Xpress, who include a member of the Lighthouse Family. Guests at the Saturday afternoon session will enjoy the early American style of Wakin’ Snakes; Saturday evening will see The Cajun Dawgs and the festival finishes off with Dirty Martini, a local swing band on Sunday.
Sessions run on Friday and Saturday evenings 5.30pm – 10.30pm and day sessions on Saturday 10.30am – 3.30pm and Sunday 11am – 4pm. Tickets cost £7 for the evening sessions, £6 for Saturday day session and £5 on Sunday, available at the Eastbourne Theatres Box Office now.
Cocktail competition entrants need to register by Friday 18 April by contacting jayne.howard@eastbourne.gov.uk. All entrants will be listed on VisitEastbourne.com throughout May, with winners announced prior to the festival.
For more information visit VisitEastbourne.com/beerandcider
IMAGE CREDIT: Graham Huntley
