With the GBBF moving to Birmingham NEC, it’s an easy hour’s trip on the train, door to door. Several branch members are going on a variety of days, so I have selected Friday in case you have no preference. The festival opens at 12:00, so do the 10:40 from Northampton (arrives Birmingham International at 11:33) and join the queue. Members can buy in advance on-line for £6. Either meet at the CAMRA Bookshop at 12:30, or call me on 07723 858069 so we can let you know where we are seated.

Our Town Pub of the Season for Summer 2025 is awarded to the Black Prince (GBG), Northampton, where Phil and Sinead have been in charge since 2024. Also down stairs in the cellar a microbrewery has been producing since May. The venue also has a large garden which we can use if the summer weather permits. Potbelly beers also heavily feature on the bar. The presentation will take place at 20:00.

Our sixth “Out of County Experience” takes us to Rutland featuring five GBG pubs including two breweries on a heritage bus. Not only that, we will also be making presentations to two of our own breweries who won awards at the Northampton County Beer Festival. So, on the way we will stop for an hour at Nene Valley Brewery to present them with two awards, Session Stout with Egyptian Cream winning the category and also the Overall Champion Beer of the Festival. We will also join the Peterborough Branch who will be making their won award to the Brewery. Afterwards, we make our way to Kings Cliffe Brewery where we present Jez with two awards; Session Pales with 5C, and Session Bitters with 66 Degrees. Afterwards we will continue to Rutland to the Railway (GBG), Ketton, home to the Bakers Dozen Brewery. Oakham is next with three GBG pubs including the Grainstore tap. Finally, we will make a call at the Exeter Arms (GBG), Uppingham as we make our way back to the county. Pick-ups Northampton (09:15), Wellingborough and Kettering (10:15). We can also pick-up in Oundle with a Corby drop-off for the X4. Return times are expected to be Northampton by 19:30. There will be no food arranged. Please book, joining instructions sent on Wednesday 26th August.

With the national launch of the Good Beer Guide today, this year we again have our own launch hosted by Phipps Brewery at the Albion Brewery Bar. For any member wishing to purchase the indispensable GBG, a limited number will be available at a discounted price of £12 (rrp £16.99, cash only). The Good Beer Guide is the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide and it continues to represent the best of the best in the brewing and hospitality industry with 4,500 pubs, bars, and clubs selected. With six beers including a dark and cider too, there will be something for everyone. Meet at 19:00.

The winter Potbelly Beer Festival is already upon us so we will hold our popular social here early on the Saturday afternoon and into the evening. We will also take the opportunity to present awards for S.O.S winning the Brown & Red Ales, Old Ales and Strong Milds category and Yeller Belly scooping the Premium Pale, Blond and Golden Ales category at the Northampton County Beer Festival. A number of the new Good Beer Guide will be available at a discounted price of £12 (rrp £16.99). Around thirty beers including regulars from the brewery, plus a wide range of cider too. The actual brewery entrance is on Sidney Street, Kettering. Meet from 14:00. Live entertainment and food also available. Cash only.

Date confirmation and details to follow.