Frequently Asked Questions

When is the festival?
Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th June 2008

What are the opening hours?
The festival is open from 11am to 11pm Thursday to Saturday.

Will food be available?
Yes. food will be available during the duration of the festival. this year the caterers are organised by Cardiff International Arena.

What is there to drink?
We will have over 170 different real ales varying in style from golden ales to milds and stout. We will also have a range of German beer on draught and in bottles together with a large range of ciders and perries (made from pears)

My better half doesn't like beer or cider is there anything else they can drink?
Soft drinks will be available at the food counter (or there is plenty of water in the tap.)

I have never been to a beer festival before. I’ve heard you need to wear a woolly jumper or anorak to get in?
Nope. We’ll let almost anyone in ….provided they pay the entrance fee. And in any case hopefully it will be warm enough for shorts and a t-shirt – (although this being Wales an anorak may be handy)

You mean I have to pay to get in?
Yes. The costs of hiring the hall, equipment, security etc… is well, a lot! If we did not charge an entry fee we would be losing money hand over fist. It is still less than going to a night club and a lot more fun!

I am a CAMRA member - do I have to pay to get in?
Yes, see above, but because you are such nice people we'll give you a few free beer tokens so you can get to the bar straight away! Remember to bring your membership card or you'll miss out.

I’m only young, any discount for me?
As I’m feeling generous and as an added incentive not to stick to ‘laager’ in the local student bar we’ll do the same as in our previous venue and Under 26’s will get the free tokens too

Okay, I have to pay but will I have to sell my soul to afford the entrance charge?
Probably not. Entrance to the festival will cost you the princely sum of £5. This will include your glass and programme which gives details of the beers.

Now I am in, will the beer cost a fortune?
Not really (dependant on Mr Darling at least). We keep our prices in comparison with the local hostelries and therefore the price varies between £2.00 and £2.70 for a pint of beer & cider and up to £3.30 a pint of draught foreign beer

Is there any entertainment?
Folk/jazz band Sheelanagig wil be entertaining festival goers on Friday late afternoon whilst blues band the Soul Miners will be taking over for an hour on the Friday night. Local band The Foreshadows will be playing a short set on Saturday afternoon. Thursday has been left quiet so you'll just have to make your own entertainment or just laugh at all the drunken fools who think it is cool to try and drink all the beers in one night.

Can I buy tickets in advance?
No, we don't do that. We have a larger capacity than we need and operate on a first come first serve basis. There may be a queue at times but do not despair this does clear quickly.

My normal job is boring, can I work at the festival instead?
If you are a CAMRA member you can work the festival but note that all our staff are volunteers and are not here for any financial reward, they just have a passion for real beer and cider (so please be nice to them…)

I’m beginning to think this CAMRA thing is a good lark, how would I Join?
Membership to the Campaign for Real Ale is quick and easy, you can join on the web here, or at the festival itself at the membership and information stand (yes, you can then claim your free beer tokens!)