Do you love beer? We do. In fact we love Real Ale and Nottinghamshire is a great place for lovers of the tradional English pint.

We've got an exceptional range of micro breweries around the county and together with two of the oldest pubs in England, Ye Olde Salutation Inn and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, Notts is the perfect place for Real Ale lovers.

If you want to take a look at how top beers are made, then why not take a tour around one of our local breweries and find out how it's all made.

Top Local Breweries

Castle Rock Brewery has been quirkily known as Nottingham's 'major micro' and brewed it's famous Kiss Me Kate beer to celebrate the marraige of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It also works with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust for a range of seasonal beers to promote the conservation of Notts Wildlife. Head to the Vat and Fiddle near Nottingham Train Station for a tour of the Brewery and a cheeky couple of jars.

In the north of the county near Newark you'll find Pheasantry Brewery. This brewery offers tours and the chance to try its Pale Ale and Dark Ale. Also well worth a visit is the micro brewery at the Trent Navigation located on Meadow Lane close to the Notts County football ground. The pub also serves a range of cask ales and ciders.

The Welbeck Estate produce it's own tradional ales which can be purchased at Welbeck Farm Shop, including the light ale Henrietta, named after one of the former Duchesses and made from spring water sourced on the estate.

Real Ale Pubs

The Lord Nelson in Sneinton is set in a tradional building dating back 500 years with wooden beamed ceilings. As well as serving beers by Castle Rock you'll also find beers from the local Magpie Brewery behind the bar. Live music is also performed in the Beer Garden during the Sneinton Festival.

The Cock & Hoop is attached to the Lace Market Hotel, yet the feel of the place is very quaint and traditional. The setting in the historic Lace Market only adds to this excellent pub.

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is one of the oldest pubs in England. The pub is built around the historic caves in Castle Rock and is said to be where soldiers met to join The Crusades under Richard The Lionheart (hence the name).

Don't forget to download the Nottingham Real Ale Trail with details of local tradional pubs selling fine British pints.

Robin Hood Beer Festival

Look out for the Robin Hood Beer Festival organised by Nottingham CAMRA which takes place every October at Nottingham Castle and is rapidly becoming the best Beer Festival in the UK.