The World’s Biggest Real Ale and Cider Festival at JD Wetherspoon’s

As Spring approaches, so does JD Wetherspoon’s ‘Real Ale and Cider Festival’. The World’s Biggest Real Ale and Cider Festival at JD Wetherspoon’s is the first of the year for the UK chain, 2018 promises to showcase up to 30 real ales from the UK, locally and around the world. In addition to this, JD Wetherspoon will also be showcasing 5 ciders from the UK for cider fans.

With so many reals ales and ciders on the menu, we thought we’d take a look at what’s on offer this year. The following list of real ales and ciders have been compiled in chronological order of ABV, from weakest to strongest and are numbered as per JD Wetherspoon Real Ale and Cider Festival menu. Without any further ado, let’s jump right in a see what’s on the taps this year.

1) Saltaire Onyx, 3.8% ABV, Saltaire Brewery, West Yorkshire, Established in 2006.
This is a refreshing black IPA, with a tropical aroma and hop notes in the flavour, balanced by a subtle dark beer character of rich malts, resulting in a refreshing finish. Hops: Centennial, Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

2) Wadworth Game of Stones, 3.8% ABV, Wadworth Brewery, Wiltshire, Establish in 1885.
This new golden beer, brewed especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, has hoppy, citrus aromas, leading to a light, refreshing character, with a fine malt and hop balance. Hops: Cascade, Challenger, Galaxy, Styrian Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

3) Adnams Gunhill, 4.0% ABV, Adnams Brewery, Suffolk, Establish 1872. This ruby-coloured ale is described as a cross between a dark mild and a brown ale, with the blend of four malts providing toffee, chocolate and spicy flavours, balanced by subtle bitterness. Hops: Boadicea. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

4) Otter Spingfest, 4.0% ABV, Otter Brewery, Devon, Established in 1990.
This is a new seasonal beer from this popular brewery, available during this festival before its main release. It is deep golden in colour, with a sweet, fruity aroma, crisp, refreshing and balanced flavour and that spicy hop finish. Hops: Huell Melon, Magnum, Mandarina Bavaria. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

5) Strange Fellow Talisman, 4.0% ABV, Strange Fellows Brewing, British Columbia, Canada, Establish in 2014. (International Brewer)
Iain Hill has travelled to Caledonian Brewery in Edinburgh to recreated this light golden beer, espechially for this Wetherspoon Real ALe Festival. Aromas of citrus and tropical fruits lead to an assertive hop flavour, with an underlying malt balance, plus a crisp, lasting finish. Hops: Cascade, Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

6) Coach House Elderflower, 4.1% ABV, Coach House Brewery, Cheshire, Eatablished in 1991.
The use of elderflowers in this blond-coloured beer provides a floral aroma, enhancing the citrus hop notes and hints of grapefruit, resulting in refreshing character and slightly sweet finish. Hops: Admiral, Ahtanum, First Gold. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

7) Brú Red ALe, 4.2% ABV, Brú Brewery, County Meath, Republic of Ireland, Established in 2013.
This amber-red beer is this brewery’s interpretation of a traditional Irish red ale, with a sweet aroma leading to its hoppy flavour, balanced by caramel notes which continue through to the finish. Hops: Cascade, Herkules, Traditional. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

8) Exmoor Whakatu, 4.2% ABV, Exmoor Ales, SOmerset, Established in 1980.
This new amber beer is brewed using maize, alongside pale and crystal malts, to deliver a subtle spiciness, with floral, lime and vanilla hints, leading to a long, refreshing finish. Hops: Wakatu, WGV. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

9) Conwy Riptide, 4.3% ABV, Conwy Brewery, Conwy, Established in 2003.
This black IPA combines the best qualities of dark malt flavours and the refreshing, fruity hop flavours of American IPAs with grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas, along with a clean finish, balanced by roasted malt notes. Hops: Cascade, Citra, Columbus,. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

10) Shepherd Neame Early Bird, 4.3% ABV, Shepherd Neame Brewery, Faversham, Kent, Established in 1698.
This golden seasonal ale has hoppy, citrus and grapefruit notes in the aroma, leading to a gentle biterness, balanced by light biscuit malt flavours and resulting in a zesty, dry finish. Hops: Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

11) St Peter’s Twisted Edge, 4.3% ABV, St Peter’s Brewery, Suffolk, Established in 1996.
This new golden beer, brewed especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, is a vibrant pale ale, with hoppy notes in the aroma and palate, leading to a subtle lemon twist and zesty finish. Hops: Admiral, Crystal, Hallertau, Mandarina. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

12) Black Sheep Monty Python’s Flying Circus, 4.5% ABV, Black Sheep Brewery, North Yorkshire, Established in 1992.
Brewed by the ministry of silly hops, this new amber-red IPA has a full-bodied flavour, with crisp, peachy and spicy notes throughout, leading to a long, refreshing finish. Hops: Amarillo, First Gold, Galena,. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

13) Green Beacon 3 Bolt Pale Ale, 4.5% ABV, Green Beacon Brewing, Brisbane, Australia, Established in 2013. (International Brewer)
Johann van der Walt has travelled to Wadworth Brewery, in Wiltshire, to recreate this light golden pale ale especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. Citrus, mango and pine notes are present in both the aroma and flavour, combining with a refreshing biterness to create a distinctive, balance character. Hops: Cascade, Columbus, Galaxy, Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

14) Harviestoun Old Engine Oil, 4.5% ABV, Harviestoun Brewery, Clackmannanshire, Established in 1983.
This black porter, made available especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, is wickedly smooth, with a rich flavour dominated by chocolate and balanced by a bitter, hoppy finish. Hops: East Kent Goldings, Fuggles, Galena. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten).

15) Mordue Sterling, 4.5% ABV, Mordue Brewery, Tyne and Wear, Established in 1995.
The new straw-coloured cask lager has been brewed especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. Herbal and citrus notes in the aroma continue through to the flavour, balanced by a clean maly background, resulting in a long, dry finish. Hops: Saaz, Sterling. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

16) Sambrooks’s Flat Stout, 4.5%, Sambrook’s Brewery, London, Established in 2008.
This new dark russet-brown stout has been brewed especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. A complex aroma of milk, coffe, nuts and roasted notes leads to a smooth, creamy flavour, with a sweetness which is balanced by its roasted character. Hops: Mosaic. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten), Milk products.

17) Sixpoint Lo-Res, 4.5% ABV, Sixpoint Brewing Company, New York, USA, Established in 2004.
Keir Hamilton and Eric Bachli have travelled to Adnams Brewery, in Sufflok, to brew this light golden beerespecially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. The initial citrus blast provides an inviting aroma and juicy flavour, with plenty of tropical notes, resulting in an easy-drinking character and clean, dry finish. Hops: Mandarina Bavaria. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

18) Tring American Brown, 4.5% ABV, Tring Brewery, Hertfordshire, Established in 1992.
This occasionally brewed nut-brown ale is a progressive take on a classic British style, with fragrant fruity aromas from its American hops merging with a strong, malty background and dry, nutty finish. Hops: Hersbrüker, Simcoe. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten).

19) Hilden Irish Red Rye, 4.8% ABV, Hilden Brewing, County Antrim, Established in 1982.
The new red beer, brewed especially for Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, is generously hopped with AMerican and European varieties, delivering a hoppy aroma and pleasing bitterness, balanced by its rye and blend of malts. Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Cascade, Citra, Simcoe, Willamette. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

20) Caledonian Port Of Leith IPA, 5.0% ABV, Caledonian Brewery, Edinburgh, Established in 1869.
This copper-coloured ale is brewed in the style of a traditional IPA, with a powerful hop aroma continuing into the flavour, balanced by caramel and malt flavours, before resulting in a bold malt and bitter hop finish. Hops: Amarillo, Aurora, Citra, Styrian Goldings. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

21) Foglie D’erba Hot Night At The Village, 5.0% ABV, Birrificio Foglie di Sopra, Italy, Established in 2008.
Gino Perissutti has returned to Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham Kent, to brew this Mahogany beer again for us. Brewed in the style of a traditional English porter, this has notes of coffee, chocolate and liquorice in the flavour, leading to a refreshing, slightly herbal finish. Hops: East Kent Goldings, Target. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

22) Grapes and Gratification Old World New England IPA, 5.0% ABV, Grapes and Gratification, Heraklion, Crete, Established in 2015.
Kjetil Jikun has travelled to Bank’s Brewery, in the West Midlands, to brew this golden beer especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. A fresh, fruity hop character is evident in both the aroma and flavour, with generous citrus and tropical fruit notes throughout, while the moderate bitterness is balanced by a full bodied, multigrain malt base. Hops: Galaxy, Nelson, Sauvin. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

23) Greene King Heritage, 5.0% ABV, Greene King Brewery, Suffolk, Established in 1799.
This new golden beer is brewed using Chevalier malt, originally grown in Suffolk around 1820 and, after near extinction, recently ressurected. It is a refreshing pale ale, with a crisp, refreshing full flavour. Hops: Strisselspalt. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

24) Purity Warlord, 5.0% ABV, Purity Brewery, Warwickshire, Established in 2005.
This amber coloured ale is brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, has a wonderful aroma of grapefruit, pine and tropical fruits, leading to a full, complex, fruity flavour and pronounced lasting bitterness. Hops: Chinook, Galaxy, Pilgrim, Simcoe. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

25. Hydes Californian Red Ale, 5.2% ABV, Hydes Brewery, Manchester, Established in 1863.
This ruby-coloured ale is brewed with a range of five malt varieties, all adding their unique characteristics to create a complex, malty flavour, with toasted malt, toffee and fruit notes, complemented by a moderate bitterness. Hops: Centennial, Columbus. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Rye (Gluten).

26. Elgood’s Warrior, 5.5% ABV, Elgood’s Brewery, Cambridgeshire, Established in 1795.
This chestnut-coloured beer, brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, has a predominantly hoppy aroma, leading to a deep, rich flavour, with a rich malt balance. Hops: Challenger, Fuggles, Goldings, Sovereign. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

27. Salopian Bertza, 5.5% ABV, Salopian Brewery, Shropshire, Established in 1995.
This new black righ stout, brewed especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, contains a mélange of chocolate, cocoa and mocha, with hints of vanilla, complementing the smooth, roasted character and leading to a smooth creamy finish. Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Columbus. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Oats (Gluten), Rye (Gluten), Milk products.

28. Wychwood Hobgoblin IPA, 5.6% ABV, Bank’s Brewery, WEst Midlands, Established 1890.
This deep golden beer, previously available in bottles only, has been made available in caskespecially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. It is generously hopped to provide an explosion of tropical fruit aromas, leading to a juicy biterness, balanced by a malty sweetness. Hops: Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Citra, Fuggles, Goldings, Mosaic, Styrian. Allergens: Barley (Gluten).

29. Titanic Nine Tenths Below, 5.9% ABV, Titantic Brewery, Staffordshire, Establish in 1985.
This golden beer, brewed again especially for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival, has an inital sweetness which rapidly fades as the powerful citrus hops take over, leading to a refreshing taste above the waterline, while the boldness and strength lurk beneath. Hops: Cascade, Chinook, Columbum. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).

30. OAkham Attila, 7.5% ABV, Oakham Brewery, Cambridgeshire, Established 1993.
This golden ale has been cask aged for six months, in preparation for this Wetherspoon Real Ale Festival. The rich elderflower aroma leads to ripe red berry and citrus flavours, resulting in a long, smooth, full-bodied and fruity finish. Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Magnum, Spalt Select. Allergens: Barley (Gluten), Wheat (Gluten).