Local beer festivals in September

The Lakeside Inn, Southport

There are five local beer festivals all within fairly easy travelling distance of Southport coming up this month. Admission is free for three of them, although you still have to pay for your beer!

First off the blocks is the the Ship, Wheat Lane, Lathom, L40 4BX, which will be holding its 6th Annual Beer, Pie & Sausage Festival from 8th to 11th. There will be a large marquee housing 40 hand pulled real ales, 12 real ciders, live music, speciality pies and sausages, and a barbecue. As usual, there is a CAMRA preview night on 8 September from 6pm onwards. Festival webpage.

The Lakeside Inn, Britain's smallest pub, is having a beer festival over the weekend of 16th to 18th. The Lakeside is on the Promenade in Southport, PR9 0EA. I tried to get more information about this festival by calling into the pub, but even though it was only a fortnight away, the barmaid didn't know any details and there were no posters. She suggested I ask at the Victoria, owned by the same people, but the barman there didn't know either. I left my contact details but have heard nothing more. Pub Facebook page.

Ormskirk Beer, Food and Wine Festival runs from 23rd to 25th. Organised jointly by the Cricketers pub and Ormskirk Cricket Club, it will offer 60+ real ales, wines from around the world and a craft gin bar. There will also be a food market, live music and a family day on Sunday. It will take place at the cricket club, Altys Lane, Ormskirk. L39 4RG. Tickets available on-line, in the Cricketers or the Ship in Lathom. Festival webpage.

The 6th Longton Beer Festival takes place on 23rd and 24th at Longton VM Sports & Social Club, School Lane, Longton, Lancashire, PR4 5YA. They will be offering a varied selection of around 25 cask ales from Lancashire, Yorkshire and beyond, plus ciders and bottled beers. This year they are hoping to raise enough money to buy a defibrillator for the club. Festival webpage.

St George's Hall beer festival runs from 29th to 1st October in the magnificent St George's Hall, Lime Street, L1 1JJ. It offers 200+ real ales, ciders, bottled beers, local food and entertainment. Tickets available on-line. Festival webpage.

A slightly shorter version of this will appear in the Southport Visiter this week.