Start at 2:00 pm at The British Grenadier, then carry on to The Odd One Out and The Ale House, (Branch Pub of the Year Winner).
Then, hop on a bus, for a short ride to the Branch Cider Pub of the Year, The Live and Let Live.
Then, back into the city on a return bus to The Victoria Inn and ending at The Magnet.
Come and join us - All Welcome!
11:25 Meet at Colchester North Station - Main Ticket Office, to arrange Group Save Fares
11:43 Train to South Woodham Ferrers
Changing at Shenfield then Wickford
13:03 Arrive at South Woodham Ferrers Station
3 Minutes Walk (0.2 miles)
to South Woodham Ferrers Village Hall
I have been assured that the Festival will be open to early arrivals!!
I hope to see you at the station.
Any Queries, email me on - membership@colchestercamra.org.uk
A quick presentation to Gruff Brewery for winning the Beer of the Festival award for their beer Wheat Trip at the recent 16th Colchester Winter Beer Festival.
The presentation will take place at Three Wise Monkeys before heading to the Odd One Out, who have a presentation at 7:30pm.
We will be presenting the Runner Up award for the 2025 Cider Pub of the Year to the Victoria Inn at 7:30pm
We will be presenting the Highly Commended award for the 2025 Cider Pub of the Year to the British Grenadier at 7:30pm
We will be presenting the Highly Commended award for the 2025 City Pub of the Year to the Odd One Out at 7:30pm
We will be presenting the Highly Commended award for the 2025 Rural Pub of the Year to the Lamarsh Lion at 7:30pm
Start at 3pm at the British Grenadier then:
Odd One Out,
The Ale House,
then a short bus ride to The Live and Let Live,
then a bus back to the Victoria Inn,
then finishing at The Magnet.
Wassail!
Ian.
Cider Rep
A wander around Maldon, visiting some wonderful pubs
75 Bus to Maldon
Osborne Street (Stop Af): 11:25
opp, Leather Bottle, Shrub End Road: 11:39
Arrives Maldon: 12:22
75 Bus back to Colchester:
Maldon, adj Milton Road dep: 16:35, arr: 18:35
Maldon, opp Swan Hotel dep: 16:45, arr: 18:43
Bus Fares are £3.00 capped each way
Or Essex Sunday Saver, unlimited Sunday/Bank Holiday bus travel for just £5.20
Second Sunday Summer Stagger: Sheringham, Cromer & North Walsham
Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 09:00
Meet at Colchester Rail Station - Main Booking Office, at 09:00 for the 09:18 train, to arrange Group Save Fares
Arrive Sheringham 11:39
Return trains - various stopping in Cromer and North Walsham
Back in Colchester by around 20:00
We will be presenting the Winner awards for the 2025 City Pub of the Year and 2025 Overall Pub of the Year to The Ale House after the GBG Selection Meeting at approximately 8:30pm (presentation may be later if the meeting overruns).
Meet at Colchester Rail Station - Main Booking Office, at 09:15 for the 09:45 train, to arrange Group Save Fares
Walk up through the city, visiting a number of the fine pubs.
All times per the current Greater Anglia website however, timetables change so I will update nearer the date.
Meet at Colchester Rail Station - Main Booking Office, at 09:00 for the 09:18 train, to arrange Group Save Fares. Arrive Sheringham 11:39
Return trains - various stopping in Cromer and North Walsham
Back in Colchester by around 20:00
This is based on current information however, timetables can change so I will update nearer the date.
Who knows, there might be cheaper fares by purchasing in advance.
Please check closer to the date for any changes
10:40 Colchester Bus Station 88A Bus to Halstead - Via Lexden,- join us en-route
10:50 Mellor Chase, Halstead Road
10:51 Warren Farm, Stanway,
11:16 The Lion, Earls Colne
11:30 Halstead
First Pub : To be decided
Walk up through the town visiting a number of the fine pubs
Last Bus back to Colchester, Probably the 17:40 ( Buses also at 15:40 & 19:40)
We will be presenting the Winners award for the 2025 Rural Pub of the Year to Ye Olde Albion at 4pm.
For those travelling by bus, we will be meeting outside After Office Hours at Colchester High St at 3:15pm to catch the bus to Rowhedge.
A branch trip to Halstead, during which we will be presenting the Runner Up award for the 2025 Rural Pub of the Year to the Courtyard Tap, Halstead (likely to be between 12pm to 3:30pm).
Bus times TBC
We will be presenting the Winner award for the 2025 Cider Pub of the Year and the Runner Up award for the 2025 City Pub of the Year to the Live & Let Live at 6pm (approx).
The Ale Trail is back for 2026. After a brief hiatus last year the Ale Trail returns. Simply visit any of the 22 pubs on the trail, buy a pint or half of real ale or real cider and collect a sticker. Collect 20 stickers from different pubs and bring your completed card to the 39th Colchester Real Ale and Cider Festival and we’ll give you an exclusive Ale Trail 2026 pin badge and a £20 beer card to spend at the festival. Simple!
The trail starts on 4th April 2026.
We will be starting 3.30pm at
The Odd One Out, then onto:-
The Ale House,
Two Brews,
The Victoria Inn,
Finishing at The Magnet.
Wassail!
We will be presenting the Winner awards for the 2026 Cider Pub of the Year and 2026 Runner-up City Pub of the Year to The Victoria Inn at 7:30pm
We will be presenting the Highly Commended award for the 2026 City Pub of the Year to the Odd One Out at 6:30pm
Mersea Island brew a range of regular beers including the legendary Oyster Stout which was awarded Runners Up Beer of the Festival at Colchester in 2011. Mark and Roger are both great supporters of the branch. You'll find Mersea Island beers in pubs and bottled in local Co-ops or contact the brewery directly to buy bottles or pins.
In 2023 Red Fox Brewery changed hands an merged with the Witham and Harwich breweries which had been 'cuckooing' on the Red Fox site. The new brewery is called WHARF Brewery (Witham, Harwich And Red Fox) and produces beers from all three breweries under the WHARF name.
Located in Maldon behind the Blue Boar Hotel. The Maldon Brewing Company, more popularly know as 'Farmer's Ales' produces a range of beer styles which can always be found behind the bar of the Blue Boar and at many pubs around the county their explanation.
Founded in 1981 by two CAMRA enthusiasts, Crouch Vale is well established as a major player in Essex brewing, having moved to larger premises in 2006.