This is the page for the Northampton County Beer Festival

Please note that CAMRA is not involved in the organisation of the event, and therefore this is not a CAMRA Beer Festival. However, our branch does manage the Beer and Cider Bars and supplies the volunteer labour for the bars.

The 2026 Festival in on Friday 29 May, and Saturday 30 May, starting at 12 noon both days.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthamptonCountyBeerfest/

It is that time of the year again. We need your help and hope you will have fun supplying it. Many people come back year after year, so there must be something good about it! Please have a look at the Beer Festival 2026 Staffing Form and consider what you might like to do. We need help setting up and taking down and then serving customers at the Festival and judging the Northamptonshire beers on Friday afternoon.

It would be helpful if you could complete and submit the form as soon as you can. This enables us to get staff badges ready, make lists of workers and judges who can enter the Festival without paying, and to organize the judging tables. A lot of preparation goes into the judging, so there has to be a cut-off point for volunteering – which is one week before the event ie 22 May. Volunteers to work at the Festival can be accepted up to 25 May.

Last year was much better as people understand the issue, but in the past we have had a lot of volunteers for the early shifts when there is not a lot to do and fewer for the later shifts when the Festival is normally busier. This can result in standing around with nothing to do, or being under pressure with little opportunity for a break, neither of which is ideal. If travel arrangements permit, please do consider volunteering for the later shifts. Please note that this year the Festival opens an hour later than in the past, so the first shift is shorter. As a result, an offer to work on that shift alone may be declined, but with gratitude. If you wish to be a beer judge, you may work behind the bar when not busy judging, but it is not compulsory.

Over the years we have improved the staffing guidelines to cover any issues which have arisen. The rules are common sense stuff to ensure the smooth running of the bar, and it is hoped that they will not cause volunteers any inconvenience. Everyone has happily complied in recent years and there have not been any issues raised by the Festival Organiser. Many thanks to everyone for your co-operation. The guidelines will be sent to all volunteers a few days before ethe Festival opens.

It will not be possible to turn up on the day and expect to be admitted as a volunteer. If you want to join the fun, please complete the staffing form.

Results of judging from previous festivals can be found here - Beer Festival Results