Beer and bands lined up for Luton’s big festival

Friday, February 21 will see the Electric Uke Orchestra cover much more than the usual ukulele songs, ranging from swing, country, pop and rock to old time classics from all eras. George Formby tunes are an “optional extra”.

Local rock legends Cerberus will perform at the festival again on Saturday evening, February 22. Festival organiser Mike Coombes said: “The annual event is first and foremost a beer and cider festival but the live music is an extra reason for people to come along and try real ale.”

The 31st Luton Beer and Cider Festival will run in all three halls at the High Town Community Sports & Arts Centre, York Street, with music taking place in the Theatre Hall only. “There will be plenty of space for visitors to pay homage to real ales and ciders and socialise with their friends,” added Mike.

The beer and cider festival will open from midday on Thursday, February 20 and run to Saturday, February 22. Last admission will be at 10.30 pm, with closure at 11pm.

There are plans to have 100 perfectly presented real ales on offer, including about 30 from local breweries. There will be a wide selection of real ciders and perries as well. All the ciders are locally produced in Luton, Bedfordshire or Hertfordshire.

There will be an even wider selection of bottled beers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA and for the first time at the festival a selection from some of the UK’s most exciting new breweries.

Food is available at all sessions up to 9pm. (No hot food between 3pm and 5:30pm).

Members of CAMRA get free entry at all times and non-CAMRA members can get in for £3 on Thursday and Friday and £2 on Saturday.

During the festival, Arriva are offering card-carrying CAMRA members discounted travel on their Busway A service from Houghton Regis & Dunstable and also on their 101 & 102 services from Stevenage and Hitchin.

The festival website is at www.lutonbeerfestival.com.

The event is organised by the South Bedfordshire CAMRA branch and Active Luton. It is staffed entirely by volunteers who give up their free time to ensure Luton’s festival is as good as ever.