Cheers! Bury’s first Ale Trail set for launch

Real ale and craft beer enthusiasts will be able to raise a glass this month as Our Bury St Edmunds launches the town centre’s first official Ale Trail. Featuring 20 of the town’s licensed premises the trail gives people a chance to try ales brewed in the town itself or from further afield.

A special map and brochure is being produced giving information about all the participating venues.  It will be officially launched – and the trail declared open – on Monday February 26 at the recently re-opened One Bull pub on Angel Hill.

The Ale Trail was the idea of Our Bury St Edmunds Director Heather Warren who owns Oakes Barn pub on St Andrews Street South.  She’s worked closely with Our Bury St Edmunds Business Support and Marketing Officer Mike Kirkham to bring the concept to fruition.

Heather said: “As the proprietor of one of the town’s Free Houses I know that there is a growing interest in both real ale and craft beer.  Bury St Edmunds has a great brewing heritage of course as the home of Greene King, but that’s only part of the story.  The Old Cannon micro-brewery in the town is one of around 40 small breweries in the county and many beers brewed in Suffolk can be bought in Bury either in the retail trade or in some of our pubs.  I’m delighted that the Ale Trail will give us a chance to showcase some of them.”

Mike added: “We are launching the Ale Trail at The One Bull, which of course is connected to The Brewshed brewery at Ingham and the Ale Trail brochure will feature 20 different pubs and bars – some of which are relatively new businesses so hopefully the trail will encourage local beer enthusiasts to explore the town as well as visitors from further afield.”

The launch later this month is by invitation only but the brochure will then be available at pubs and bars throughout the town centre, the tourist information point at The Apex and to download from www.ourburystedmunds.com.