Triumphant turnout for The Lord Leycester Beer Festival raises more than £7,500
Next up: The Warwick Court Leet Summer Beer, Cider & Music Festival in July
May 2025: A sold-out crowd of over 500 people raised a glass and vital funds at The Lord Leycester Beer Festival held on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd February 2025. Hosted in the majestic 14th-century Great Hall of The Lord Leycester, and organised by Warwick Court Leet, the event raised £7,683 to support the preservation of one of Warwick’s most historic buildings.
Celebrating both heritage and hops, the two-day festival offered guests a unique chance to enjoy 20 beers, 10 craft ciders, and a lively prosecco bar within the stunning medieval surroundings of the Lord Leycester’s Great Hall, which was once the venue of a royal banquet hosted by King James I in 1617.
The event, produced and staffed by Warwick Court Leet and supported by The Lord Leycester’s team and volunteers, combined traditional British ale culture with a charitable mission. All proceeds from the festival go directly towards the vital conservation of the Lord Leycester’s Grade I listed building, which has stood at the heart of Warwick for nearly 700 years.
Heidi Meyer, Master of The Lord Leycester, said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled by the turnout and generosity shown by the community and visitors alike. The Lord Leycester Beer Festival is about more than just great drinks; it’s about preserving one of Warwick’s greatest treasures. We’re truly thankful to everyone at Warwick Court Leet who contributed to make the festival a success and raised £7,683 in just two days. The result is a testament to the power of community spirit and the importance people place on protecting Warwick’s heritage.”
Simon Garwood, Ale Taster of Warwick Court Leet and one of festival’s organisers, said:
“This event perfectly showcases what Warwick Court Leet stands for: celebrating our local culture, building community, and safeguarding our shared heritage. We’re grateful to every guest, brewer, and volunteer who made the festival such a success.”
Following February’s success, Warwick Court Leet is now turning its attention to the town’s biggest summer celebration: The Warwick Beer, Cider & Music Festival. The open-air event returns to Warwick Racecourse on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July and will feature 40 ales and beer, 10 craft ciders, a wine and prosecco bar, street food vendors and a packed schedule of live music acts and local bands.
For this year’s summer festival, Church End Brewery is busy preparing two special festival beers, appropriately named “Bailiffs Brew” and “Warwick Court Leet Festival Ale”. Warwick Court Leet will also welcome returning favourite ales, including Stairway to Heaven, Jaipur, and White Rat in addition to some beers that have not been featured for more than a decade.
Tickets are now on sale at www.warwickbeerfestival.com