RAISE a glass! Spring is sprung, and the beer festivals are coming thick and fast.
This time of year always brings its distinctive markers.
Mothering Sunday comes and goes; snowdrops and daffodils appear all around; and my email inbox begins filling up with details of beer festivals and events all across the region. Happy days indeed!
Festival season bursts into life in York next weekend, with mouthwatering events in Bishopthorpe, Dunnington and Sutton-upon-Derwent. And thereafter, it doesn't let up until the end of the summer.
So, without further ado, here are some of the top events to look forward to.
March 17 to 19 - Leeds Beer Festival at Pudsey Civic Hall, with more than 150 beers. 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 11pm on the Thursday, and 11am to 11pm on the Friday and Saturday. Entry is free on Thursday lunchtime, £4 on Thursday evening, free before 5pm on Friday, £5 after 5pm on Friday, £5 before 5pm on Saturday, and £3 after 5pm on Saturday.
March 18 to 20 - St Patrick's Beer Festival at Bishopthorpe Sports and Social Club. 6pm until midnight on the Friday, noon until midnight on the Saturday and noon until the beer runs out on the Sunday. 12 ales and three ciders. Music on the Friday night. Free entry.
March 19 - Dunnington's fourth annual beer festival, in the village Reading Rooms, from noon until midnight, in aid of Dunnington Football Club, with 16 beers, three ciders, a lager, prosecco and soft drinks. Entry is £5, which includes a glass, programme and vinyl music by a local DJ. Hot food available. For tickets, visit The Cross Keys in Dunnington or visit dunningtonbeerfestival.co.uk
March 19 - Sutton-upon-Derwent Beer Festival in Sutton Village Hall, in aid of the hall and Woodhouse Grange Cricket Club. 2pm to midnight. Entry is £10, which includes a glass, programme, and first pint. Live 6 Nations rugby on TV, and a band from 10pm.
March 26 - Open day at Hambleton Brewery with beer, food and music. Noon to 4pm. Free entry.
May 27 to 30 - Beer and music festival at The Ship in Strensall, including 10 real ales. Live music includes Pinx Tinker, Skint, Soul Rida. Food available all day. Free entry.
March 31 to April 3 - Suddabys at The Crown Hotel in Wheelgate, Malton. 11th spring beer festival, with at least 24 ales and four ciders. Music in the evenings and food available all day. Free entry.
April 21 to 23 - Beertown at The Milton Rooms in Malton. Malton's biggest beer festival of the year returns. Tickets must be booked at beertownmalton.co.uk or by phoning 01653 696240.
April 29 to 30 - Yorkshire Heart Beer and Music Festival at the brewery in Nun Monkton. 7pm to 11pm on the Friday and noon to 11pm on the Saturday. Entry is £15 on Friday, which includes two pints, a hot supper, a glass, a programme and live music from Storm. Friday tickets must be pre-booked by phoning 01423 330716. Saturday tickets are £5 in advance or £7.50 on the day, and include a glass and programme. Saturday includes a barbecue, bouncy castle, Yorkshire Heart's own wines and beers and live music.
May 14 - Tockwith Festival on the village playing fields, including more than 40 real ales and ciders. Visit tockwithfestivals.co.uk/tickets to buy tickets, currently discounted from £14 to £10 for adults and from £6 to £5 for under-18s. The event includes lots of live music, food and family entertainment.
May 28 to 29 - Battle of The Breweries at The Slip Inn in Clementhorpe, York. Participating breweries yet to be confirmed. Free entry.
Later in the year, here are a few more events to keep in mind...
June 10 to 12 - Beer and cider festival at The Fenton Flyer in Church Fenton. More details to follow nearer the time.
June 30 to July 3 - Suddabys at The Crown Hotel in Wheelgate, Malton. 18th summer beer festival, with at least 24 real ales and four ciders. Live music in the evenings. Free entry.
July 1 to 2 - 5th charity beer festival at York Brewery in Toft Green, York, with more than 20 award-winning beers, ciders and perries. 5pm until 11pm on the Friday and noon until 11pm on the Saturday. £6 entry, which includes two drinks.
August 26 to 28 - 7th annual beer festival at The Swan and The Slip in Bishopgate Street and Clementhorpe, York. More details to follow nearer the time.
September 14-17 - York Beer & Cider Festival on Knavesmire. More details to follow nearer the time.
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