Portsmouth theatre ready to host Portsea Island Beer Festival

PASSIONATE ale fans are gearing up for the return of the Portsea Island Beer Festival.
The Portsea Island Beer FestivalThe Portsea Island Beer Festival
The Portsea Island Beer Festival

The sixth instalment of the popular occasion is once again taking place at the Groundlings Theatre in Portsea.

The event takes place throughout tomorrow and Saturday and is organised by Portsmouth-based brewery, Irving & Co Brewers Ltd.

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Guests will be treated to 50 cask ales from all around the UK, including locally-produced ciders and perries.

There will be some new beers as well as local favourites.

Live music and food will be available.

A proportion of proceeds will go to local and national charities.

Over the years the event has taken on different themes to help spice things up for customers.

In 2012, the festival did its bit to mark the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens.

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Theatre staff dressed in costumes from the Victorian era while mingling with drinkers and chatting to them about what life was like when the novelist was alive.

In 1812, a pregnant Elizabeth Dickens was at a dance in the theatre when she went into labour. She was rushed to her home in Commercial Road, where she gave birth to her son at what is now the Charles Dickens Birthplace.

The occasion kicks off tomorrow with an afternoon session from midday until 4pm.

An evening session will then take place from 6pm to 11pm.

The festival is back on Saturday, with an afternoon session happening from 12pm to 4pm, and the final session happening from 6pm to 11pm.

Tickets for the Friday daytime session are £4 each, while it’s £8 for all other sessions. To buy tickets, ring the Groundlings Theatre box office on (023) 9273 7370.