I’LL be going off the wall this weekend – and so should you.

For within a short stroll of York’s City Walls you’ll find not one, not two, but three of York’s best pubs throwing festivals.

Between them The Slip Inn in Clementhorpe, its near-neighbour The Swan in Bishopgate Street, and The Phoenix in George Street will have more than 60 superb ales to choose from.

Festivals begin at each pub this evening and continue through until Sunday night.

Most attention and the larger crowds will be at The Swan and The Slip, the two sister pubs whose festival has become arguably the highlight of York’s beer calendar. There will be 50 beers there, all from different breweries, including many Yorkshire favourites and also some breweries from elsewhere in the country that have rarely if ever been seen in York before.

I’ll no doubt start with a refreshing pale ale such as Great Heck’s Citra, a firm favourite from one of our best local breweries. But I’ll also be looking out for some of the quirky debutants – such as Papa Jangles Voodoo Stout by Totally Brewed, a new outfit that launched in March in Nottingham. If you can’t ask for that by late in the evening, it’s a clear sign you’ve had enough.

Chocolate, by Marble in Manchester, is always a star of any festival, and anyone who has enjoyed Brass Castle’s beers over the past two years will be tempted by their Ginger Marmalade.

Those with local loyalties but an eye for something new should try Rudgate’s experimental Brew No. 9, which includes raisins in the brewing process, or the special edition of Treboom’s Kettle Drum, which has been dry-hopped solely for this festival.

Paul Crossman, co-owner of The Swan and Slip, says he is also delighted to welcome back beers from Summer Wine in Holmfirth, a favourite from a few years ago here.

“We have not had their stuff for ages but we love their beer and have their Zenith pale ale in for the festival,” says Paul.

A short walk away, over Skeldergate and Castle Mills Bridges, The Phoenix festival promises to be another cracker.

The beer selection here is smaller, with 12 ales split between the regular bar and a makeshift back-up, but the atmosphere and setting are no less special.

If the weather is kind, The Phoenix garden is among the best in York and it couldn’t be closer to the Bar Walls for those who want to take the scenic route.

Beers to look out for here include Citra Hells from North Riding in Scarborough; This is IPA by the fantastic Atom Brewery of Hull; and St Clement’s Saison from Wold Top near Hunmanby, which promises citrus flavours and hints of coriander. Those after something darker may also fancy the Hard Hitting Gunsmoke from Dukeries.

As well as the 12 cask ales, there are two keg beers and three ciders, giving a superb selection from which to begin – or end – a festive weekend for pub lovers.

  • Away from York city-centre, there is also a festival on Saturday at The Rose and Crown at Sutton on the Forest. There will be live music from 6pm onwards, a children’s talent contest, a barbecue and an outdoor beer tent, with all pints £2.50