National Winter Ales Festival at the Sheridan Suite

With dozens of micro beer festivals popping up around the city of late, it’s easy to forget that biggest is sometimes best. No chance this month, however, as the National Winter Ales Festival returns to the Sheridan Suite on Oldham Road for its fourth consecutive year. The four-day event features over 300 British and foreign beers, real ale by the bottle, ciders and perries, with sessions running daily from midday (5pm Wed). The Saturday session also features optional ‘beer angels’ fancy dress. The National Winter Ales Festival was established in Glasgow in 1997 before moving to Upper Campfield Market on Liverpool Road. After a brief switch to Burton-on-Trent it returned to Manchester, to New Century Hall prior to its current 1800-capacity home on Oldham Road.

Wed 23 – Sat 26 Jan, Sheridan Suite, Oldham Road, M40 8EA, Tel: 0161 203 5444, 12pm – 10.30pm daily (5pm – 10.30pm Wed), £2 – £5 per session, nwaf.org.uk, @WinterAlesFest