Winter Ale Trail returns to Rochdale with CAMRA’s finest brews

The 2024 Winter Ale Trail is set to launch later this month, promising locals and visitors a showcase of some of Rochdale’s best pubs and bars. 

Organised by the Rochdale Business Improvement District (BID), the highly anticipated event will run from 21 to 24 November, bringing together beer enthusiasts for a four-day celebration of top-quality ales and ciders.

This year’s trail features a variety of local venues that have become favourites among Rochdale residents. Participating pubs include Hoochi Koochi, The Baum, Our Gracie’s, The Flying Horse, The Lucky Duck, Hogarths, The Pint Pot, and The Regal Moon.

Each venue will offer an impressive selection of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) certified beers, highlighting Rochdale’s growing reputation as a Northern hub for food and drink.

 

 

With more than 100 ales and ciders available to sample over the course of the event, there is no shortage of options for enthusiasts.

Local beer lovers are particularly proud of the town’s expertise in cask ale, with many of the offerings sourced from nearby suppliers.

This local focus, organisers say, makes Rochdale’s Ale Trail a unique experience and a true showcase of the area’s award-winning pub scene.

Rob Burgess, pub manager at the Regal Moon, is looking forward to the popular event. He said: "Once again the Regal Moon is a delighted to be participating in the winter addition of the ale trail which gives new and old visitors the chance to enjoy a drink or two in familiar haunts and perhaps experience water holes they have yet to visit.

"This growing event shows what can happen when town centre venues and the BID work collaboratively together. Not many beer festivals have over 100 ales on offer and it demonstrates that Rochdale town centre is really the cask ale capital of the north!"

Paul Ambrose, Rochdale Town Centre BID manager, said: "The number of excellent winter ales to be found in the participating venues is astounding, and the event encourages ale trailers to try something new and explore the diverse range of bars in this area. By visiting these establishments you'll be supporting and protecting pubs that act as social centres and are part of the town centres growing offer."

Ale Trail participants are encouraged to pick up a stamp card at any of the participating venues and collect unique stamps as they sample drinks along the trail.

Those who complete the trail can redeem their stamp cards for a special Winter Ale Trail T-shirt at the final venue of their choice.

 

 

Additionally, participants have the chance to win a meal for two from a local town centre venue by posting photos of their Ale Trail drinks and stamps on the Facebook page, or by emailing their entries to: paul@rochdalebid.co.uk

The Winter Ale Trail provides an excellent opportunity for residents and visitors alike to experience Rochdale’s vibrant pub culture.

As the event approaches, Rochdale BID invites everyone to join in, promising that “you won’t find a better cask ale offer anywhere else.”