The biggest bar in town opens its doors to the public on Thursday, 19th October at the Victoria Leisure Centre, Sneinton. They will remain open until Sunday, 22nd October. There will be over 400 real ales, plus ciders, perriers and country wines to sup, sip and slurp under one roof (well - actually two to be precise).
 | | One big beer hall |
Live music will be provided by local bands Redmile plus the Robin Hoare Band (Friday night) and Bad Dog (Saturday night) in one of the two beer halls. Star attraction One of the attractions of this year's festival will be a beer especially brewed for a BBC Radio Nottingham presenter. John Holmes has always wanted to have his very own beer brewed. Phil Mallard at Mallard Brewery began work on John's ale several weeks ago. BBC Radio Nottingham's listeners played a crucial role in the design of John's beer - they suggested flavours which suited John's personality and they came up with a name for the brew, "Duck Holmes Lubrication".
 | | Duck Holmes Lubrication |
City Arts artist, Shaun Belcher from Sherwood was asked to create a label for the beer bottle. He took inspiration from the name and came up with a design showing a well oiled duck looking a little like Mr Holmes! Beer ice cream In a festival first Nottingham Brewery and ice cream producer, Coronato Bros, both of Radford, have produced a beer flavoured ice cream, made with wort (unfermented beer before it enters the fermentation stage of the brewing process). The ice cream contains no alcohol. The money from sales will go to the Jali Lower School in the Gambia, where through the efforts of Nottingham man Rod Pickard, children in the local villages are now getting the chance to gain an education. Some of the profits will also go to Nottingham based charity, APAS (Alcohol Problems Advisory Service). Festival with history This is the 30th year of the event. For a flavour of the festival read one man's impressions of last year's event... | 
