We are very lucky to have some of the country’s best real ale breweries located right on our doorstep, so for the third year we are running our Real Ale Festival within The Bear Tavern (and across the site). By sourcing our real ale direct from local breweries we get to reduce road miles and support local businesses while serving you some excellent beer.

And when we say Real Ale, this is exactly what we mean… Real Ale. Beer that has been brewed by true craft producers, using the best quality ingredients and which has a second fermentation in the barrel allowing us to serve direct from the barrel without the need for extra gas – just the way Real Ale should be, to boost all those amazing flavours.

The Bear Tavern will also be home to some free ale tasting at midday each day as well as the opportunity to meet some of the brewers in person and ask some brewing questions (ideal for all you home brewers out there). Check the daily boards for which beers are ready to be served and who is speaking on the day.

Below is just a quick run down on who we’ll have on site. Be sure to check our programme for more tasting notes and details.

Trail blazing pioneers of the craft beer movement Beavertown are turning our Courtyard Bar into The Beaver Bar for 2016! From their new on site HQ they’ll be serving up trademark brews like their fruit-tinged APA, Gamma Ray, ‘easy drinking’ session IPA, Neck Oil, and their dark smoked porter, Smog Rocket, in addition to the likes of Quelle, 8 Ball, Holy Cowbell and Black Betty!

Milk Street Brewery return with another take on an ‘End Of The Road inspired’ Ale. Our namesake brew won’t begin fermentation until next (month/week), so tasting notes are strictly under wraps, but if it’s anything like previous batches we’re in for another delight! Other Milk Street favourites including Funky Monkey and Zigzag Stout will also be available and all beers have vegan options.

Our Dorset countryfolk Sunny Republic Brewery bring their delightful Beach Blonde, a lightly malty Pacific Pale Ale headed with a unique blend of Pacific hops that lend a sun-soaked, tropical aroma. They’ll also have full-bodied Huna Red Hibiscus Ale and their zingy Hop Dog, a zesty IPA with a recurrently bitter finish.

Handley brewers, Six Penny Brewery, will be on hand with their flagship session ale, 6D Best. A trustworthy, true festival companion brew if ever there was one.

Hopback Brewery join us from Wiltshire, armed with batches of their Summer Lightning (allegedly one of the most decorated and award-winning beers in Britain!), Golden Best and vegan-friendly Entire Stout!

Hailing from Salisbury, Wiltshire, Downton Brewery‘s Honey Blonde is a unctuous delight led by spicy and floral hops paired with a rich sweetness of maize and honey. They’ll also have their premium red bitter Route 66, and the complex dark brown ale, Dark Delight.

Gyle 59 bring a taste of their vegan friendly ales to be enjoyed by all! Be sure to sample their Happy Daze wheat beer, lit up by banana and coriander, as well as their Freedom Hiker and IPA.

Also representing Wiltshire, Stonehenge Brewery with an array of bitters that showcase the precision and variety of master brewers; look out for amber Heel Stone and golden premium bitters Eye Opener and Five Rings.

Staying true to their roots, Ringwood are still proudly brewing and plying their maiden beverage, Best, as well as Forty Niner, which they’ve been brewing since 1978! Better still, they’ll be bringing both to Larmer Tree for you to enjoy!

From Hampshire, Long Dog Brewery bring their ideal thirst quencher Golden Poacher, as well as true-to-tradition English best bitter, Brindle, and their golden ale, Kismet.

Hailing from The New Forest, Vibrant Forest Brewery are in attendance with Nova Foresta, a refreshing amber bitter and Flying Saucer, a zesty golden beer with a palate-tingling bitter finish.

The Brew Shack bring a range of their vegan-friendly, small batch brews to End Of The Road, including Amber Gambler, Pale Ale and 8 Grain Porter.

Wimborne’s Eight Arch Brewing Co. will join us with a range of beers that includes their CAMRA Dorchester 2016 ‘Beer of the Festival’, Parabolic!

Hampshire’s Flower Pots Brewery are aboard and they’re bringing their acclaimed Hampshire Beer Of The Year (2015) Perridge Pale, Flowerpots Bitter and Hampshire Beer Of The Year 2013 AND 2014, Goodens Gold!