The best beers in the UK will be battling it out for CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Beer of Britain crown at the Cambridge Beer Festival next week.

CAMRA’s longest-running festival (above), and one of the largest in the UK, runs 18-23 May on Jesus Green.

The winner of the Champion Beer of Britain 2026 will be announced on Tuesday 19 May. Beer lovers can buy tickets now. With free entry for CAMRA members, they will be among the first to try those battling it out to be crowned overall winner.

Opening hours:

• Monday 18 May: 5pm-10pm
• Tuesday 19 May: 12noon-10pm
• Wednesday 20 May: 12noon-3pm, 5pm-10pm
• Thursday 21 May: 12noon-3pm, 5pm-10pm
• Friday 22 May: 12noon-3pm, 5pm-10pm
• Saturday 23 May: 12noon-10pm

Often attracting 40,000 visitors, last year festivalgoers enjoyed more than 69,000 pints of British beer, 10,650 pints of international brews, 8,100 pints of cider, 5,740 glasses of mead and 3,400 glasses of wine.

This year, the festival boasts more than 300 UK and international beers – including the Champion Beer of Britain finalists while stocks last – with an impressive range of 80 ciders and perries, plus mead and wine. There will also be more than 20 gluten-free beers on offer and a new low-and-no bar.

Festival favourite the cheese counter returns with an impressive range from across the UK, along with pork pies, Scotch eggs, olives, breads, vegan and vegetarian food plus much more.

With 2026 marking the 100th anniversaries of both Winnie the Pooh and Paddington Bear, this year’s festival theme will celebrate our beloved bears with a range of eye-catching collectables.

Beers with bear-themed names will also be available, including Marmalade Sandwich (6 per cent), an amber beer brewed with orange peel by Green Jack Brewing in Suffolk, and The Beer Necessities (5.5 per cent), a tropical IPA by Bowler’s in Peterborough, along with many more.

This year, the festival is supporting Cambridge Samaritans as its chosen charity. Last year its volunteers answered more than 28,000 calls from people needing help and support, offering a vital lifeline.

Festival organiser Neil McGovern said: “Once again, we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to Jesus Green and our fantastic range of beers, ciders, mead and wine. Last year we had around 37,000 people attend. At the moment, the weather is looking dry and warm! However, even if it doesn’t hold out, our massive marquees make sure that the beer is still available for all to enjoy. I would encourage you to get your tickets early and come along to what promises to be a fantastic event, with the added bonus of finding out who has been crowned Champion Beer of Britain.”

CAMRA awards director Shelly Bentley said: “A sunny Cambridge is the perfect location for the most sought-after cask beer award in the UK. The competition is a reminder of the remarkable brewing talent in all corners of this country, so let’s use Champion Beer of Britain and all six days of Cambridge Beer Festival to celebrate the wonders of cask beer, together.”