Next year’s dates have now been set: 3-6 June 2027!
“It was proper squeaky-bum time,” laughs Chillo, landlord of the newly reopened Coppersmith’s Inn.
With a packed pub, a tiny cellar and thirsty ale trailers drinking beer at an alarming rate, he was facing every publican’s nightmare – running out of beer. A frantic SOS call went out to 3Ps Brewery in Woodville, who answered with an emergency delivery.
“Wow! It was amazing. Very tiring, but incredibly rewarding. We were crazily busy on the Saturday.”
Busy is perhaps an understatement.
Burton Ale Trail has always attracted crowds, but 2026 proved to be the biggest and busiest yet, with an estimated 1,500-2,000 people taking part across the four days (4-7 June), many of them dressed in official t-shirts. Adopted Burtonians ‘The Ayrshire Mob’ were in town, and there were also visitors from Spain, France and Germany.
By Saturday evening, Station Street was heaving. Anyone hoping to squeeze into one of the pubs faced queues, and then a queue just to join another queue.
“We were at full capacity continuously from about 4pm,” said Nicki Stout from The Devonshire Arms.
The Coopers Tavern experienced scenes rarely witnessed. Regulars are accustomed to waiting in line for the bar when it gets busy, but this year there was a second queue forming down the entry just to join the line to get served.
“Each firkin had been changed twice on Saturday alone,” revealed Landlady Cheryl Gibson. “By the evening, we had no guest ales left – just Bass!”
The photographic evidence speaks for itself.
For Craig Pearce at The Elms, the weekend was about more than just selling beer.
“We are part of Burton folklore,” he said. “To be immortalised in the history of Burton brewing and pubs is an honour. We should all be proud of what we have achieved. We’ve been given the opportunity to showcase what we are made of.”
What started as a simple idea to help local pubs recover after the Covid lockdowns has become one of Burton’s most eagerly anticipated weekends. Over the last five years, Burton Ale Trail has grown into a fixture of the town’s social calendar, with many people now planning their weekends around it. Members of a local running club took on the challenge, proving that not everyone was deterred by the climb up Ashby Road. This year’s Trail saw an 80th birthday celebrated along the route, while one newlywed couple even included it in their wedding day plans.
That wedding belonged to Steve and Angela Oglesby, who tied the knot on the Friday before heading out on the trail with family and friends.
“Initially it was an off-the-cuff remark, and it snowballed,” said Steve. “We both love ale and the Burton Ale Trail. We’ve only missed one, and the Trail meant we could celebrate with friends and family while everyone could come and go as they pleased. We also went out on the Saturday, and I’d never seen queues like it.”
A record number of venues took part this year – 17 officially, or 18 if you include Bernie’s on Station Street, which opened too late to join the Trail but still enjoyed the benefits of the crowds. 2026 saw the addition of The Alfred and three new venues on the other side of the Trent: Stapenhill Institute, Burton Tennis & Squash Club and the Waterloo Inn.
“We couldn’t believe the amount of people that came together,” said Luke Woodward from the Waterloo. “Friday and Saturday night was electric!”
A sentiment echoed by Gareth from The Alfred: “Crazy! Fun! Loads of food and ale sold!”
“I don’t think we could have served any more pints if we tried!” laughed Nancy from Bernie’s. “It was fantastic for us and I loved meeting new people, who I hope will come back and visit us again.”
The beer itself was, as ever, at the heart of the event. Over a thousand votes were cast in the annual ‘The Best Beer’ on the BAT competition, with Stiff Defense – an exclusive brew available at Inn-Uendo’s, also on Station Street – emerging victorious. Another Trail special, Loopy Juice from Outwoods Brewing, finished a close second, while modern Burton classic Gate’s Reservoir rounded out the podium.
“We are over the moon with the result,” said Inn-Uendo’s Richard Peace. “I would have been quite happy to finish in the top 10, never mind first!”
The winning beer, an easy-drinking golden ale packed with American hops, has already been replenished.
“Fresh stock has arrived and will stay with us until the end of the World Cup.”
The event was supported by Burton Bridge Brewery, Samuel Allsopp & Sons Ltd, Bass, Real Ale Finder, Joules, G3 and Double Diamond.
“We love what the Burton Ale Trail has done for the town,” said Al Wall, Head Brewer at Headline Sponsor Burton Bridge Brewery, “shining a light on the fantastic pubs we have here.
“They really know how to look after the beers they offer. It was fantastic to have our beers on offer in so many of the pubs during the event. It makes us proud to be part of such a wonderful community.”
As the last pints were poured and the final beer votes counted, thoughts were already turning to next year. Burton Ale Trail will return in June 2027, from 3-6 June!
After record crowds, packed pubs, emergency beer deliveries and queues stretching onto the streets, one thing seems certain: Burton’s most popular pub crawl will only get bigger.
What a superb event to show the pride in the town’s history and heritage. Credit must go to organiser Ian Webster for the work he puts in every year to make it such a success.