Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival has expanded with a new marquee on the outfield at Trent Bridge(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)

Last minute preparations for launch of Nottingham's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival 2024

Last night's torrential rain will not stop play at the Trent Bridge location

by · NottinghamshireLive

The hours are being counted down to the launch of Nottingham's biggest beer festival boasting more than 600 beers and 140 ciders - and prosecco for anyone not partial to a pint. Soon Trent Bridge will be bustling with drinkers eager to sample the brews at this year's Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival.

Trent Bridge, the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in West Bridgford, has been taken over by barrels and kegs, stages for live music, and food trucks for the annual festival - now in its 47th year. The four-day event is expected to attract 15,000 people.

This year's event, open to the public from Wednesday October 9 at 4pm until Saturday October 12, has a number of new features. For the first time, the festival will extend onto the hallowed turf with a new real ale bar on the historic outfield in front of the pavilion.

Organisers, the Nottingham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) will also be ramping up the tempo on the final night with a party. As well as live artists, there will be DJs on the pitch and main stage and a fancy dress competition to add some frivolity to the mix.

The 18 brewery bars include locals Castle Rock, Hollowstone, Lenton Lane, Lincoln Green, Black Iris and Two Matts. Drinkers will be able to try the strongest ever beer to feature at the festival - the 26 percent Terror from the Sky brewed by Liquid Light.

Only 140 pints have been made as it is pushing brewing limits to the extreme. Just four 36-pint casks will be at the festival with one tapped at 3pm every day.

Tapping the barrels ready for the festival(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
Liquid Light has brewed the festival's strongest ever beer at 26 percent(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
CAMRA volunteers help to run the event(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
More than 600 ales will be available to try(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
The calm before the storm(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)
Drinkers will be able to choose from 140 different ciders and perries(Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)