Time to get on Ale Trail and discover city’s pubs and bars
THE MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN AIMS TO HIGHLIGHT HUGE ARRAY OF CASK ALES
THE popular Nottingham Ale Trail makes a triumphant return launching a month-long campaign to highlight the huge array of cask ales available throughout the city centre.
The ale trail starts today and runs until Monday, August 29. There will be seven themed trails named after Robin Hood to help people discover some of the best pubs and bars in the city.
The Friar Tuck trail takes place in a venue that was once a chapel and includes several historical Nottingham pubs such as Southbank City, The Malt Cross, The Bell Inn, The Dragon, Barrel Drop, Copper City, Lillie Langtry’s and The Old Dog and Partridge.
The event will be completely free to take part in, with a special dog-friendly trail for anyone wishing to bring a fourlegged friend.
The Canine Trail is a flexible route designed for dog owners. There is even a limited edition doggy bandana for the first 100 hounds to complete the trail, with a special canine pin for wellbehaved owners.
The Nottingham Ale Trail maps can be picked up from the tourism centre or a participating venue. All you need to do to take part is choose a trail, buy a half or a pint of cask ale, and get the map stamped at the venue. Once the trail is completed, the map can be brought back to the Nottingham Tourism Centre for a limited edition ale trail pin badge.
If you are feeling particularly thirsty and managed to complete all seven trails within the month, there is a limited edition Nottingham Ale Trail T-shirt which will be presented at a special event at Bink’s Yard in September.
Some of the trails on offer include:
■ King John: Starting at Binks Yard at the Island Quarter, Fox and Grapes, Bunkers Hill, Yarn Bar, The Horn in Hand, The Playwright, Six Barrels - Victoria, before finishing at the Rose of England.
■ Little John: The Roebuck Inn, The Joseph Else, The Kilpin Beer Café, The Cross Keys, Cock and Hoop, Keans Head, Annie’s Burger Shack, and Angel Microbrewery.
■ Sheriff: The Loxley, Pit and Pendulum, Faradays, Lloyds No.1 Bar – JD Wetherspoon, Six Barrel Drafthouse, Hockley, Curious Tavern, and The Lord Roberts.
■ Will Scarlet: The Organ Grinder, The Sir John Borlase Warren, Raglan Road Irish Bar, Hand & Heart, Whistle and Flute, The Park Tunnel Inn, The Roundhouse Pub & Restaurant and Ye Olde Salutation Inn.
■ Maid Marian: Cured, Barley Twist, Beerheadz – Nottingham Station, Via Fossa, Canalhouse, Fellows Morton & Clayton and The Navigation Inn.
■ Robin Hood: Tap and Tumbler, The Hop Merchant, The Three Crowns, The Wine Room, The Castle – Pub and Kitchen, Fothergills, before finishing at Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem at Brewhouse Yard.
The event has been organised by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (BID).
Alex Flint, CEO at Nottingham BID, said: “We have some great pubs and bars in Nottingham city centre which serve a great range of cask ales, some of which are often overlooked. We hope to encourage people to go on journeys of discovery, sample some great cask ales, and in the process collect limited edition enamel pin badges and a t-shirt for those completing all seven trails.”