UK's first and only craft beer festival inside a prison heads to Lancaster

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 16:46

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

The Behind Bars beer festival is coming to A-Wing at Lancaster Castle this May

The UK's first and only craft beer festival to be held inside a prison is coming to Lancaster.

The Behind Bars Craft Beer Festival will take place in A-Wing at Lancaster Castle from May 15 to 17.

Guests will have private access to the former prison within the castle, while sampling some choice craft ales, with four sessions taking place across the three days.

HMP Lancaster Castle released its last official prisoner in 2011 and is now home to the Police Museum, Witches’ Exhibition and Castle courtyard, and the Atkinsons of Lancaster cafe.

The beer festival is headlined by four of the area's finest craft breweries: Lune Brew Co from Galgate, Farm Yard Brew Co from Cockerham and Lakes Brew Co and Fell Brewery from Kendal, all joined by an array of respected brewers from the North West and beyond.

"Unlike more traditional beer festivals, this is a boutique and unique celebration of craft beer, more akin to a wine tasting than hearty quaffing," said a spokesperson for the festival.

"The team aim to provide a chance to discover the full diversity of flavours and styles craft beer can offer, from chocolate-infused porters and coffee-flavoured stouts to bramble and berry-filled sour beers and zippy, tropical IPAs, each providing something different and distinctive to please any palate.

"Each of the four partner breweries will be semi-incarcerated in their own cells, while members of the brewery teams will be on hand to introduce, explain and discuss their beers with you and, of course, pour them for you too. The extended guest beer area is set behind heavy bars in the high-security area."

The event has been organised and curated by the team behind sister pubs the Stonewell Tap, The White Cross and Merchants 1688, run by Tom Tomlinson.

Entertainment will be provided by local musicians including Maggie Murray, Molly Warburton, Amy Rae, vinyl spin-master J-Me, plus Scot and Andy from Sold to the Sky. Food will come from Wrap Ninjas.

Tickets and full information are available HERE.