It was May Bank Holiday and the sun was shining down as five of Bristol’s breweries opened their doors as part of the East Bristol Brewery Trail. Starting in May 2016 the East Bristol Brewery Trail is now in it’s 3rd year. This event is run twice a year, on May Day Bank Holiday and August Summer Bank Holiday, and I have always missed out due to other commitments. This was my first time with my boyfriend and it did not disappoint. The weather was also kind with it being a record breaking hot weekend - not like it usually is on a bank holiday! The breweries taking part were Arbor Ales, Dawkins Ales, Left Handed Giant, Good Chemistry and Moor Beer who all lifted the veil to let us us have a look around as well as sample their great beers.
Travelling by train I planned my route so I could have a merry stumble back to Temple Meads. Thanks to a GWR Bank Holiday delayed train and that we were also thirsty we took a short UBER trip to our first destination: Arbor Ales. When we arrived there was already a queue for the bar and the atmosphere was building outside. Being that it was the first beer of the day I opted for a sessionable pint of Shangri-La. This was so light and refreshing that I could easily have drank this all day but there was more beers to try. My second beer at Arbor was Space Hardware which at 6.6% was a little bit less sessionable but it was so juicy with tropical fruit flavours. 
We then moved onto Dawkins Ales who were only a stones throw away from Arbor. Dawkins had separate keg and cask bars so we headed straight to cask to see what offerings they had. Due to how busy they were on Saturday there was a slightly limited choice of beers with more running out whilst we were there. Outside the brewery there was a pingpong table with lots of seating so there was great buzz from everyone there. We found ourselves some bar stools inside and watched as a dog played ball with other people on the trail. I noticed how many familiar faces kept popping up as we all followed the East Bristol Brewery Trail. We tried out the keg bar before moving onto the next stop on our trail.
The walk between Dawkins and Left Handed Giant was the longest break between beers but the cycle path we took was very pleasant although this helped us build up a thirst in the sunny May Sunday. The atmosphere at LHG was busy as expected and we couldn’t find a seat outside but we found ourselves sat on a bench in the brewery. Last time I was here they were installing their new brew kit so there was a limited beer menu but today there was so much choice I was unsure what to go for. The beers we had were right up to Left Handed Giant usual standards, with my half of Sonny Boy being a particular highlight. LHG have such big space inside and out that is perfect for this type of event. Here there was music playing as well as more table tennis tables so this felt like a real party!
The next stop on the trail was Good Chemistry and although we were queuing again for the bar but the staff were really nice and on hand to help make suggestions. The inside was moved outside as there were sofas and carpets in the street for people to sit on. We found ourselves perched on the street kerb outside whilst we enjoyed some of the last of the sunshine with our beers. This was my first time at Good Chemistry and I would definitely come back again as it felt so welcoming and relaxed. 
Lastly we ended our trail at Moor Beer and it felt like we were finishing in our local as we often frequent here. Everyone was in the beer garden soaking up the last few hours of sun and we were no different. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my day than with a PMA which is one of my favourite Moor beers.
Along this trail it was really good to see such a great turn out of people come and support this type of event. There was a diverse mix of people as well as families with children who were all catered for at each venue. The breweries had really great street food pop ups with a range of different food options, BBQ, pizza, curry and Japanese so you were spoilt for choice. I am so grateful to everyone who gave up a sunny bank holiday weekend to serve everyone as without them it would have been impossible to run the event. I can’t wait until the next one as long as I manage to keep the weekend free this time!
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