It’s Festival Season

Festival season is upon us, and we’re excited to confirm we will be holding not one but four festivals this year at the Briarbank.

Our Festivals

Now in their tenth year, our popular beer festivals will be returning, and we will be hosting two, one in the spring and one in the summer. With over 40 craft beers, real ales and ciders to sample, there is sure to be something to delight every palate.

Whether you are a seasoned ale aficionado or a curious newcomer, our festivals offer an opportunity to savour some of the finest brews in Suffolk and beyond, connect with fellow beer enthusiasts and immerse yourself in the world of craftsmanship.

Alongside our beer festivals, we also welcome back our Gin and Rum Festivals, where we will see a similar volume of offerings from a range of distilleries near and far.

All festivals will feature in our outside bar, with our upstairs tap room continuing to offer alternative drinks, including soft, wine and spirits, along with our kitchen, which will be open and serving food between 12:00pm and 9:00pm for all our festivals.

Entry to all events will be FREE, with each festival hosting its own wonderful array of LIVE music to tap your toes to!

Our Beer Festivals

From the dates to the live acts, here’s what you need to know about our beer festivals.

Spring Beer Festival Wednesday 1 May – Monday 6 May 2024

  • Friday 3 May
    8pm – Old Skool are kicking off our Spring Beer Festival live music
  • Saturday 4 May
    8pm – Funk Shed will be bringing you an evening of funk, soul and groove beats
  • Sunday 5 May
    8pm – Electric Velvet Club, an Ipswich covers band taking you back to the noughties and nineties with some of the decades top tunes!

Summer Beer Festival Wednesday 21 August – Monday 26 August 2024

  • Friday 23 August
    8:30pm – Skyraiders, a Suffolk covers-band playing songs from the 70s through the noughties!
  • Saturday 24 August
    8:30pm – The Kicks, a mod rock, pop and punk cover band
  • Sunday 25 August
    8:00pm – The Dead Legs, a pop, rock, indie band with a deliberate throwback to the 80s.

Our Gin and Rum Festivals

With two festivals this year, one in May and one in September, here’s all you need to know about the dates and who we have taking to the Briarbank stage.

 

May Gin and Rum Festival Wednesday 22 May – Monday 27 May 2024

  • Friday 24 May
    8:30pm – Skyraiders, a Suffolk band coverings songs hip in the 70s through the noughties!
  • Saturday 25 May
    8:30pm – The Super Things, performing melodies full of pop, rock and disco vibes!
  • Sunday 26 May
    7:30pm – Lucky No.7 will bring you an evening of non-stop rock and roll action.

September Gin and Rum Festival Wednesday 11 September – Sunday 15 September 2024

  • Friday 13 September
    8:00pm – Redemption, playing you rock and roll hits with a twist as they introduce funk and soul to their melodies!
  • Saturday 14 September
    8:00pm – Soul Riot, bringing you music with the most soulful funkiest kind of soul and something you will not be able to resist from dancing to!
  • Sunday 15 September
    7:30pm – The Three Chordettes, a female vocal harmony group, who specialise in swing are sure to steal your heart and get your toes a-tapping!

So, with four festivals taking place, pop the dates in your diary, grab your friends and head to the Briarbank. We can’t wait to welcome you.