Every UK Drinks Festival in 2024

The UK is brimming with an eclectic mix of drinks festivals throughout the year, celebrating everything from craft beer to gin, whisky, wine, and more. Whether you’re a connoisseur or just love a good tipple, these events offer a fantastic opportunity to explore new flavours, meet like-minded enthusiasts, and simply enjoy a drink or two in great company.

We all want to try more drinks, but few of us want to spend full price on a big bottle only to find out we’re not that keen. Samples are the solution, and at these festivals, you never know what you’re going to find. Dive in to discover the best UK drinks festivals happening in 2024!

Drinks Festivals in February 2024

Great British Beer Festival Winter 2024 - Burton (15th-17th February 2024)

Warm up with a selection of the UK’s finest winter ales, porters, and stouts. This cosy festival is the perfect escape from the January chill, offering a wide range of hearty brews to sample.

Address: Burton Town Hall, King Edward Place, Burton upon Trent, DE14 2EB
Website: https://winter.gbbf.org.uk/

Drinks Festivals in March 2024

The Bath & West Food & Drink Festival 2024 (23rd -24th March 2024)

If you’re local to Somerset then this is a great day out. All taking place at The Showground, there will be a bierkeller-style area, expert talks, incredible food and drink pairings, a Kids Zone and best of all, The British Cheese Awards! The cheeses are judged on the 22nd, and then you can try the winners the very next day.

Address: The Showground, Shepton Mallet BA4 6QN
Website: https://www.bathandwestshowground.com/events/the-bath-west-food-drink-festival-2024

Drinks Festivals in April 2024

Gin & Rum Festival Birmingham (5th-6th April 2024)

One of the UK’s largest gin and rum festivals hits Birmingham, featuring over 120 bottles, live music, DJ and expert talks. Explore a diverse range of flavours and find your new favourite in the legendary Edgbaston Cricket Ground.

Address: Edgbaston Cricket Ground
Website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gin-rum-festival-birmingham-2024-tickets-619190775277

The London Coffee Festival (11th-14th April 2024)

Dive into the vibrant world of coffee with this festival featuring tastings, latte art competitions, workshops, and live music. A dynamic event for coffee aficionados and casual drinkers alike.

Address: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Ln, London E1 6QL
Website: www.londoncoffeefestival.com

Cardiff Gin & Rum Festival (20th April 2024)

Explore a delightful selection of gins and rums at this charming but lively festival in Cardiff. With tastings, mixology workshops, and live music, it’s a fun and informative way to spend a day in the Welsh capital.

Address: The Great Hall, Cardiff
Website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gin-rum-festival-cardiff-2024-tickets-469871507327

Bristol Gin & Rum Festival (27th April 2024)

Celebrate the world of gin and rum at this vibrant festival in Bristol. With tastings, masterclasses, live music and local food, it’s a lively and educational event for spirit lovers of all levels.

Address: City Hall, Bristol
Website: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Bristol/City-Hall-Bristol/Gin--Rum-Festival-Bristol-2024/36746063/

Drinks Festivals in May 2024

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (1st-6th May 2024)

One of the world’s biggest whisky festivals, this event takes place across the Speyside region, home to over 50 distilleries. Enjoy tastings, tours, and whisky-paired dinners in the heart of Scotland’s whisky country.

Address: Various locations across Speyside, Scotland
Website: www.spiritofspeyside.com

Midlands Whisky Festival (10th May 2024)

Enjoy a wide selection of whiskies from around the globe, with tastings led by whisky experts. Perfect for both seasoned whisky drinkers and those looking to explore this complex spirit.  Over 300 whiskies and the opportunity to sample some £500 gems!

Address: The Studio, 7 Cannon St, Birmingham, B2 5EP
Website: https://www.whiskyfest.co.uk/

The Cambridge Beer Festival (20th-25th May 2024)

As one of the UK’s oldest beer festivals, Cambridge Beer Festival offers a wide array of real ales, ciders, and perries, all served alongside traditional British food like cheese, pies, and pork scratchings.

Address: Jesus Green, Cambridge CB4 1HA
Website: www.cambridgebeerfestival.com

London Wine Fair (20th-22nd May 2024)

A must-attend event for wine enthusiasts, the London Wine Fair offers access to thousands of wines from over 30 countries. With tastings, seminars, and industry insights, it’s a fantastic event for discovering new wines.

Address: Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Website: www.londonwinefair.com

FyneFest - Argyll (31st May- 2nd June 2024)

A unique festival set in the stunning Scottish Highlands, FyneFest combines craft beer, local food, and live music. It’s a family-friendly event with a relaxed, community vibe, celebrating the best of Scottish brewing.

Address: Fyne Ales Brewery, Achadunan, Cairndow PA26 8BJ
Website: www.fynefest.com

Drinks Festivals in June 2024

The Craft Beer Expo 2024 - Liverpool (6th-8th June 2024)

This annual event is known for its lively atmosphere, featuring over 40 breweries offering a diverse selection of craft beers, real cider, organic wine, and even boozy ice cream. Food lovers can look forward to vendors like Fatback Smash Burgers, Antojitos Tacos, and Dough Bros Pizza. The event also includes live music from Matsuri DJs, promising a vibrant festival vibe.

Address: Black Lodge Brewery, Baltic Triangle, Liverpool
Website: https://www.craftbeerexpo.co.uk/

Bristol Craft Beer Festival (7th-8th June 2024)

Bristol’s lively craft beer festival brings together local and international brewers for a weekend of excellent beer, food, and live music. A great way to experience the city’s vibrant and legendary beer scene.

Address: Lloyds Amphitheatre, Explore Ln, Bristol BS1 5LL
Website: www.bristolcraftbeerfestival.co.uk

The Gin To My Tonic Festival (22nd  June 2024)

Newcastle’s gin scene shines at this festival featuring a wide selection of gins, including local favourites and international classics. But that’s not all, you’ll be able to meet a wide variety of craft distillers first hand, hear their backstories, botanical make up, distillation techniques along with all the special things that make them unique. Perfect for gin lovers looking for something new.

Address: The Boiler Shop, 20 South St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3PE
Website: https://thegintomytonic.com/festivals/

Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival (21st-23rd June 2024)

A celebration of culinary delights and drinks, this festival offers a fantastic selection of wines, beers, spirits, and food from around the world. Live demos from top chefs and experts make this a must-visit event.

Address: Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham GL50 1UW
Website: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com

Manchester Rum Festival (22nd June 2024)

Explore the world of rum at Manchester’s premier rum event. Sample a variety of rums from around the globe, with tastings, masterclasses, and the chance to meet distillers.

Address: Viadux, Albion St, Manchester M1 5NZ
Website: www.manchesterrumfestival.com

Drinks Festivals in July 2024

Imbibe Live - London (1st-2nd July 2024)

Imbibe Live is a leading event for drinks professionals, offering tastings, seminars, and networking opportunities. From spirits to soft drinks, this event covers the full spectrum of the drinks industry.

Address: Olympia London, Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Website: https://live.imbibe.com/

Ealing Beer Festival (10th-13th July 2024)

One of London’s largest beer festivals, featuring hundreds of real ales, ciders, and perries. Set in the picturesque Walpole Park, this festival is perfect for beer lovers looking for a relaxed outdoor event.

Address: Walpole Park, Mattock Ln, London W5 5EQ
Website: www.ealingbeerfestival.co.uk

Liverpool Craft Beer Expo (11th-13th July 2024)

A vibrant celebration of craft beer in Liverpool, featuring breweries from across the UK and beyond. Expect innovative brews, street food, and a lively atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Address: The Baltic Triangle, Liverpool L1 0BS
Website: www.liverpoolcraftbeerexpo.com

Hyper Sake Street- London (19th-21st July 2024)

Discover the nuanced world of sake at this unique festival. Enjoy tastings, pairings, and workshops that delve into the intricacies of this Japanese rice wine, offering something for both beginners and aficionados.

Address: Hammersmith Rd, London W14 8UX
Website: https://hyperjapan.co.uk/festival/exhibitor/sake-street-2024/

Drinks Festivals in August 2024

London Craft Beer Festival (9th-10th August 2024)

Celebrate the best of craft brewing with over 100 breweries showcasing their finest beers. With live music, street food, and plenty of pints, it’s a beer lover’s paradise. There’ll be delicious dishes from top London restaurants like 10 Greek Street, Bone Daddies & Tendril too. The best thing? All the beer is included in your ticket price.

Address: Tobacco Dock, Wapping Ln, London E1W 2SF
Website: www.londoncraftbeerfestival.co.uk

Whisky Fringe – Edinburgh (9th-11th August 2024)

In its 22nd year, the Whisky Fringe has now added a brand-new American zone, an Ardbeg takeover, a Highball Hut and a Two Glass Masterclass. These join an already stacked offering including a full exploration and education into exceptional whisky. It’s a well known event in the whisky community because it’s created by and for enthusiasts.

Address: Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh
Website: https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/whisky-fringe-festival/

East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival– Bury St Edmunds (21st-26th August 2024)

In its 32nd year, 250 real ales, 40 ciders and countless local food stalls fill out the beautiful St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Suffolk for a celebration of beer and cider. Sip on local produce in front of the full entertainment programme in divine surroundings.

Address: St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Angel Hill, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 1LS
Website: https://burystedmundsbeerfestival.com

Drinks Festivals in September 2024

Leeds International Beer Festival (5th-8th September 2024)

Celebrate craft beer from around the world at this super popular festival. With live music, street food, and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s a great way to enjoy some of the best beers on the planet. Check out their beautiful posters too.

Address: Kirkstall Abbey
Website: www.leedsbeer.com

The Whisky Show- London (6th-8th September 2024)

Partnered with The Whisky Exchange and a dream come true for whisky connoisseurs, this show features a collection of rare and vintage whiskies. Taste some of the finest and most exclusive drams in the world while learning from industry experts. The UK’s most popular whisky tasting for a reason.

Address: Old Billingsgate, 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, London, EC3R 6DX
Website: https://whiskyshow.com/

The Surrey Gin Fest (7th September 2024)

This is the UK’s biggest celebration of all things gin, set amongst the glamorous backdrop of Loseley Park. Artisan food, great live music and premium craft gins in the sun from 30 wildly different bars. A big gin bash like no other.

Address: Loseley Park, Guildford, GU3 1HS
Website: https://www.ginfestco.com/

The Hebridean Whisky Festival (9th- 14th September 2024)

This is a travelling festival over  five days that celebrates and stops off at the Hebridean Whisky Trail. Island-hopping its way through Jura, North Uist, Benbecula, Isle of Harris, Talisker and Raasay, the big festival finale on the 14th will see all members of the trail come together at Toabhaig. Expect masterclasses, live music, delicious food and incredible vistas along the way.

Address: Various Hebridean Distileries
Website: https://hebrideanwhisky.com/festival/

York Food & Drink Festival (20th-29th September 2024)

A ten-day celebration of food and drink in the historic city of York. With a wide range of events, from tastings to workshops, this festival offers something for everyone, including craft beer, wine, and gin.

Address: Mainly Parliament Street, but also various locations across York
Website: www.yorkfoodfestival.com

Drinks Festivals in October 2024

London Cocktail Week (3rd-13th October 2024)

London Cocktail Week prides itself on a schedule of events including parties, tastings, lunches, dinners, national and international takeovers and masterclasses led by world-leading, award-winning bartenders. The full timetable of exciting events will be announced in September.

Address: Various locations across London
Website: https://londoncocktailweek.com/events/

Edinburgh Whisky Festival (5th October 2024)

A must-visit for whisky lovers, this festival showcases the best of Scotland’s whisky distilleries. With tastings, workshops, and expert talks, it’s a deep dive into Scotland’s favourite spirit. Heritage, Wellness and the Whisky itself are the three themes this year after a sold out 2023 festival. You can even see a whisky cask being assembled which is a rare sight.

Address: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Murrayfield, Roseburn Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5PJ
Website: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/events/edinburghs-whisky-festival-2024-p2950371

Midlands Whisky Festival (5th-6th October 2024)

Enjoy a wide selection of whiskies from around the globe, with tastings led by whisky experts. Perfect for both seasoned whisky drinkers and those looking to explore this complex spirit.  Over 300 whiskies and the opportunity to sample some £500 gems!

Address: The Studio, 7 Cannon St, Birmingham, B2 5EP
Website: https://www.whiskyfest.co.uk/

RumFest (12th-13th October 2024)

This is officially the world’s longest-running rum festival, and in 2024 it returns to the ILEC Conference Centre in Earls Court. Over the course of two days, hundreds of rums are available to test and try, cocktail masterclasses are there to dazzle and live music and food is all in accompaniment.

Address: ILEC Conference Centre, 47 Lillie Rd, London SW6 1UD
Website: https://rumfest.co.uk

Oktoberfest - London (17th-19th October 2024 / 25th-26th October 2024)

Experience a slice of Bavaria in London with this large-scale Oktoberfest celebration. Featuring traditional German beers, food, and live oompah bands, it’s a festive way to enjoy the autumn season. Of course, there are more than one Oktoberfest bashes in the capital, so if you’re looking for this specifically, make sure to check your nearest!

Address: St Paul’s Green London W6 9HW / Walpole Park, Mattock Ln, London W5 5EQ
Website: https://london-oktoberfest.co.uk/

Liverpool Gin & Rum Festival (26th October 2024)

Head down to the crypt for this celebration of gin and rum. Enjoy a wide selection of gins and rums from around the world at this really popular festival. With live entertainment, food stalls, and plenty of tastings, it’s a lively day out for spirit enthusiasts… and you might get more spirits than you bargained for down there.

Address: Lutyens Crypt Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
Website: https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Liverpool/Lutyens-Crypt-Liverpool-Metropolitan-Cathedral/Gin--Rum-Festival-Liverpool-2024/36746374/

Drinks Festivals in November 2024

Leeds Whisky Festival - (2nd November 2024)

This festival attracts whisky fans from across the UK, providing a generous opportunity to taste a massive range of whiskies and learn the story behind them. Upgraded to The Royal Armouries, it’s now bigger than ever with more on offer than ever before.

Address: Royal Armouries Museum, Armouries Drive Leeds LS10 1LT
Website https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/leeds-whisky-festival-2024-tickets-865422842017

Glasgow Whisky Festival - (9th November 2024)

This festival showcases the best whiskies from across Scotland, offering tastings, masterclasses, and opportunities to meet the distillers. A must for whisky enthusiasts.

Address: Radisson Blu Hotel, 301 Argyle St, Glasgow G2 8DL
Website: https://glasgowswhiskyfestival.com/2020-2/

CAMRA Bristol Beer & Cider Festival (14th-17th November 2024))

Celebrate the West Country’s favourite tipple at the Bristol Cider Festival – now with beer too! With dozens of ciders and beers to try, live folk music, and a lively atmosphere, it’s a perfect weekend for cider enthusiasts.

Address: City Hall, College Green, Bristol
Website: http://www.camrabristol.org.uk

Gin & Rum Festival – Newcastle (16th November 2024)

The Gin & Rum Festival returns following its immensely popular first visit to Newcastle Cathedral in 2023. Discover new favourites with samples from hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at themed gin and rum bars, and enjoy music from award-winning DJs and live entertainment. You will be spoilt for choice with over 120 spirits from around the world and a vast range of flavoured products, many of which are exclusive to the event. If gin and rum isn’t for you, you can also choose from seasonal cocktails, authentic sipping tequilas, beer, and fizz!

Address: Newcastle Cathedral, St Nicholas Square, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1PF, United Kingdom, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear NE1 1PF
Website: https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/event/gin-rum-festival-newcastle-2024/

English Whisky Festival (23rd November 2024)

Established in 2020, the English Whisky Festival is now its 3rd year, celebrating the flourishing English side to whisky. Single malts, grain whiskies and plenty of innovative creation await you, whether you’re a connoisseur or a total newbie.

Address: The Bond, Digbeth, Birmingham
Website: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/english-whisky-festival-2024-tickets-794251496607

Cheltenham Christmas Wine Festival (25th November 2024)

An exciting evening in a beautiful location, Tivoli Wines presents 150 still and sparkling wines from both the New and Old World. It’s a great place to sample all kinds of wines you’ve been curious about, from Champagne and English Sparkling to Burgundy and Bordeaux.

Address: Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
Website: https://www.tivoliwines.co.uk/the-christmas-wine-festival/

Drinks Festivals in December 2024

The Gin To My Tonic Gin, Rum & Vodka Festival - Chester (7th December 2024)

Another event from ‘The Gin To My Tonic’(check for your nearest one), this is a coming together of craft spirit extraordinaries with one of the best stocked sampling rooms of any festival.  There may already be three spirits in the event name, but you can also expect tequila, cocktails, Prosecco and even beer… as well as live music and entertainment. A stacked day indeed.

Address: Chester Town Hall, Chester
Website: https://thegintomytonic.com/event/chester-gin-festival/

The UK’s drinks festivals offer something for every taste. Whether you’re planning a weekend away or just looking for a fun day out, these events are the perfect opportunity to explore new flavours and meet fellow drinks enthusiasts. Of course we can’t feature every single event here, so make sure to check local events out. Also, some food and drink festivals span many months, like The Great British Food Festival and Foodies. They’re not drinks exclusive of course, but if you sample your heart out, you’ll need to line your stomach!

9 Amazing Wines Not Made From Grapes

The world of fruit wines has evolved significantly from those days where it was labelled as country wine and the most renowned product may have been scrumpy. But fruit wines, and here we are specifically referring to those not made from grapes which also excludes ciders, may be a quintessential summer drink that is increasing in popularity. These wines may conjure up images of fruit picking from farms or foraging within countryside and making homemade versions of wine from strawberries, brambles and other fruits that may be found in your garden. However, the market for fruit wines has become more sophisticated as consumers broaden their palates and seek locally grown produce in their efforts to increase sustainability but also to enjoy healthier but tasty options. Fruit wines will also undergo a fermentation process similar to wine, which will involve yeast, but that may be where the similarity ends as the different types of fruits will vary in their production methods.

Fruit wines are an exciting addition to the world of wines, on an international scale, and may appeal more to younger generations but also to those that might feel daunted by the plethora of choices and complexities within grape wines and the snobbery that may surround them. You can even go on a fruit wine tour across your region to explore and enjoy these creative wines without having to travel too far. Well, we don’t know about you but we can’t wait to discover more about the wide range of options for fruit wines. You certainly don’t need to stop at just a few types to sample as there are a myriad of flavours, we would certainly encourage you to traverse your region and visit local farms and open spaces to discover as many as you can. Here are a few fantastic fruit wines that we thought to highlight within our selection.

Wine That’s Fruit (WTF) Whitecurrant Wine

This limited edition whitecurrant wine will be the closest taste that you can imagine to a dry, white wine, but without the grapes! Wine That’s Fruit started in 2019, are based in Herefordshire and specialise in making their wines using fruit juices that are not concentrated. The fruits themselves are sourced locally and the company name’s acronym suggests a cheeky spirit to this family run brand! This wine is intriguing, not least as whitecurrants appear so rarely in drinks that many people might wonder what they are! Whitecurrants are part of the same family as blackcurrants but have a flavour profile resembling gooseberries or grapes.

As such, this whitecurrant wine has a tart, dry taste with a natural wine flavour profile with hints of pear on the palate. It is slightly fizzy to provide that refreshing sensation and will pair well with cheese and sardines. It is in a handy can size for a mindful drinking session. You can buy a pack of four or buy a taster pack in which you can be spoilt for choice to sample other flavours from the WTF fruit wines range!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: - £19.40 for 4

Wine That’s Fruit (WTF) Strawberry Wine

This is a slightly sparkling variety in the WTF range but it is amongst the sweetest. Still, its appearance is similar to a Rosé wine from riper climates and on the nose there is that sensation of juicy, ripe strawberries. There are subtle bubbles within this strawberry wine which would be ideal as an aperitif and would therefore appeal to fans of Rosé Champagne and Kir Royale cocktails. This summery, fruit forward concoction is a crowd pleaser and will pair well with some strawberries and cream at Wimbledon! It is also vegan friendly, gluten free, with no preservatives, no sulphites and it is served in an eco friendly, recyclable can for added benefits!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £19.40 for 4

Cairn O’Mohr Spring Oak Leaf Wine

This medium sweet fruit wine is likely to surprise many as it’s not made out of flower blossoms or fruits but is made from actual leaves, which will definitely be a good talking point if you bring this to a summer party! This Perthshire based winery has been crafting award winning fruit wines since 1987 and is certainly worth a visit during its tours on Wednesdays and weekends. Their ingredients are obtained locally through foraging, with the local landowner’s permission, of course! 

A winemaking process lasting 2-3 years is undertaken in the creation of these wines which involves the harvesting, fermentation and storage. The Spring Oak Leaf Wine is a delightful blend of leaves and citrus fruit juices which is dangerously quaffable and it’s unbelievable that this is not a grape wine as its flavour profile is similar to a Viognier and is a fruity refreshing taste on the palate.  This is an intriguingly tasty wine to drink by itself before or after dinner. Plus, there are no added preservatives, low level sulphites, it’s vegan friendly and gluten free to provide that healthier drinking option overall!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.3%
Find here: £9.40

Lindisfarne Ginger Wine

This caramel coloured ginger wine is made on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, which has a monastery that was founded in 643AD as an inspiration. However, another source of inspiration for this brand, whose production goes back as far as the 1950s, is also that of the Lindisfarne Gospels, which can be seen via the Medieval style font on these Lindisfarne wine bottles. All of this history, plus a Viking connection, proves to be a draw to visitors to this remote location, which is only connected to England by a causeway!

This ginger wine has received plaudits during the Winchester Drinks Festival and has been recognised as a perfect pairing with whisky for those whisky cocktails. Indeed, its ginger smell is pronounced on the nose and its sweet flavour profile suggests that it may appeal to those lovers of ginger liqueurs as there is almost a candied taste. This ginger wine would also work well as a substitute for ginger beer to make a boozier rum cocktail but could equally be drunk by itself, on the rocks, and evokes those images of cosier nights leading up to the festive season.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £9.95

Lyme Bay Winery Cherry Wine

The Lyme Bay Winery is located in Axminster in Devon and is close to Lyme Regis, which was the home of the famous palaeontologist and fossil hunter, Mary Anning. You could therefore visit on a day trip to see the sights and indulge in a wine tasting tour to sample some of their fruit wines too!

This is a sweet wine with an instantly detected authentic cherry aroma which resembles black cherries. Plus, there is a hint of almonds, in the flavour profile, with a slightly dry aftertaste which conjures up that image of a slice of Bakewell tart and indeed this would pair well with desserts! As an award winner of a gold prize in the Taste of the West in 2022, this will be a good drink to add to your digestif collection.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £10.99

Lyme Bay Elderflower Wine

Another wine that we’re highlighting from the many fruit wine flavours is its elderflower variety. This is a light, crisp, easy drinking wine that is ideal for those outdoor summer celebrations! It is an elegant off dry wine which is best served chilled for picnic season. Tangy on the palate and floral on the nose this is an ideal wine to serve whilst lounging in the garden or having flirty walks by the river or beach. You can drink this by itself or for that extra twist, this could be added to an Elderflower Spritz cocktail! This wine is made using local ingredients and on the Lyme Bay website there is even a recipe to make some homemade elderflower wine yourself!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £12.79

Cairn O’Mohr Gorse Wine

Fields of yellow gorse flowers instantly spring to mind with this wine which is made from foraged wild gorse flowers! This is a medium sweet wine which has been awarded 2 stars at the Great Taste Awards. With a golden honey colour, this wine has a slightly sweet flavour with hints of honey and depicts that summer meadow  joy. Its aftertaste is reminiscent of a light fruit brandy and this Gorse wine pairs well with peppered mackerel and as it does not oxidise as readily this can still be enjoyed within 7-10 days of opening.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.2%
Find here: £14.60

Lindisfarne Elderflower Wine

As Elderflower wines are quite popular, it is exciting to explore the range in their taste and flavour profiles. This elderflower wine from Lindisfarne is medium sweet and a golden yellow colour with higher alcohol content. It is described as an aromatic wine and is slightly sweeter on the palate and resembles mead in taste. As such, it will be ideal to drink during or after a meal as it is full bodied in nature and could also be enjoyed with tonic or lemonade or as a winter’s version as a mulled cocktail.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £9.95

Nudist Drinks Rabarba Brut Organic 2022

We are extremely delighted to include this entry within our selection as I discovered this delicious sparkling rhubarb wine whilst on holiday in Tallinn, Estonia sitting on a summer’s day at the Nudist winery. Indeed, its UK distributors Winestorrs Limited had made a similar discovery of this sparkling rhubarb wine in Tallinn and sought to bring this over to the UK market as a distributor and so we are delighted that you are also able to sample these wines easier now too! Although, you might still wish to visit Tallinn too for a spot of wine tourism at the winery as these wines are fermented and made onsite. 

Surprisingly, this is Estonia’s first organic sparkling wine and it has been rewarded for its efforts with the prize of 2019’s Best Organic Drink award from the Ministry of Rural Affairs. This organic sparkling rhubarb wine resembles Champagne but has a tart flavour profile with that fruity taste of rhubarb and it is an unfiltered wine. Its fermentation process is through cold pressed Estonian rhubarb juice and it will be just as suitable for all of your celebrations!  

This is a playful, new age alternative which even has the hashtag #fakechampagne to encourage you all to take this journey to discover Champagne alternatives and we will be there with you! There are also lower ABV and alcohol free versions of this sparkling rhubarb wine which may be available for international sales at future stages, fingers crossed!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £16

The final treat in our selection is a hybrid, as we always like to give you that bit extra! This product is a blend of fruit and wine that is revolutionising the market with its youthful, fun energy to appeal to younger generations. Let’s enter the world of the brand, Joy.

Joy Orange Spritz

Bursting on to the ready to drink cocktail scene in August 2023, the Joy brand epitomises the energetic spirit of the fruit wine market. It is a wine within the Concha y Toro portfolio, which also includes the red wine Casillero del Diablo. This Orange Spritz is the recipient of the Product of the Year award in a consumer survey of product innovation and it is easy to see why with this tasty, tangy marmalade blend with white wine, with a good price point, which will appeal to fans of Aperol Spritz as that go to summer drink.

This is a zesty, aromatised blend with bitters and a fruity profile which is best served chilled and with ice in time for Apéro hour and to imagine being on a sunny, coastal holiday.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 8%
Find here: £7

Hopefully, this selection will now entice you to explore the wider world of wines outside of grape based wines. There are many types of fruits, berries and leaves locally grown to provide that inspiration and we would love to know which new wines you have now tried within this burgeoning industry propelling fruit forward wines. You can stay local to become immersed in the innovation of emerging fruit winemakers or travel internationally to discover fruit wines within the US, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and more countries, which sounds very exciting to us to see this wine evolution!

By Latoya Austin

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‘Bier auf Wein, das laß sein - Wein auf Bier, das rat' ich dir.’

‘Bière sur vin est venin, vin sur bière est belle manière.’

There are all kinds of sayings and phrases from across the world about which order you should drink different styles of alcohol in, or whether you should even mix at all. Are there certain combinations that cause sickness, or is it all a myth? Let’s get to the bottom of it.

Why can alcohol make you ill?

The popularity of phrases like these probably stems from just how universally horrible a bad hangover can be. The idea that you can follow a one-line rule or avoid certain drinks in certain orders is comforting, because it means a hangover can be avoided next time. They’re also born out of coincidence. A fellow drinker may advise you to drink in a certain way because when they did that, they were fine the next day – but it’s far more likely that it wasn’t the order of drinks that helped them, but something else like food, water, speed of consumption etc.

The truth is, alcohol irritates the stomach lining, increases acid release, and causes inflammation. Basically, the body doesn’t like alcohol. As a result, too much of it and its reaction is to expel it and make you feel uncomfortable so that you avoid drinking more. It’s looking out for you, even if it doesn’t feel like it when you’re hunched over a toilet.

What causes a hangover?

But, even if you make it through the night unscathed, you have the morning hangover to contend with. Alcohol increases urination and triggers an excess loss of fluids – this dehydration results in fatigue, headaches, and thirst. Building on that, your sleep quality will be much poorer, so you’ll also feel tired from this.

Alongside dehydration, you have ‘acetaldehyde’ which forms when the liver breaks down alcohol. This is toxic which also exacerbates symptoms. The livers breaks alcohol down at a rate of 10ml of pure alcohol each hour – which is roughly a single shot of vodka in the UK. Exceed this, and your body struggles to keep up.

Congeners are also in drinks – these are compounds other than ethanol, like methanol. They break down into other toxic compounds and are shown to increase hangover severity.

Finally, alcohol also affects cytokine concentrations in the immune system, and studies show that these create hangover-like effects also.

The combined effects of the above creates the hungover feeling. Now, whilst some of these effects will be completely unavoidable if you drink large quantities of alcohol, does the type or order of your drinks affect how the severity of your hangover?

Is it bad to mix your drinks?

Researchers from Witten/Herdecke University in Germany and the University of Cambridge did thorough experiments involving the order of drinks and whether it affects hangovers. They had groups drink either just beer, just wine, or beer then wine, or wine then beer. Then they swapped all the groups around and ensured everyone drank the same amount of water for their body weight so that the only variable was the style of alcohol drunk.

The result? It made no difference. None at all. They only found that women tended to have slightly worse hangovers, and that perceived drunkenness (irrespective of drunkenness) made a slight difference. In other words, if you believe that you’re extremely drunk, you’re more likely to feel worse.

There are some arguments that mixing drinks can cause nausea, but this is far more down to personal taste and inhibition. By this, we mean that if you stick to relatively low-alcohol beers that you enjoy the taste of, you are less likely to feel sick than putting yourself through a foul-tasting high-alcohol shot – the sudden discomfort of which may trigger nausea.

Are certain drinks better for avoiding hangovers?

In short, no. It’s all about how much you drink and how fast. However, there are things called ‘congeners’. These are substances produced during fermentation other than ethanol/alcohol e.g. acetone, fusel oil, tannins, ketones, esters etc. and artificial inclusions like flavourings and sweeteners.

Something like Bourbon whisky is believed to contain 37 times the quantity of congeners as vodka, a cleaner more neutral spirit. The evidence is far from conclusive, but clear drinks such as white rum, gin and particularly quality vodka have less of these and create milder hangovers. It’s believed that the more distilled something is, the less congeners are in it (generally). This theory is why some drinkers believe that pure, top-quality liquors don’t give bad hangovers like ‘cheap and nasty’ liquors.

Why? Well, some researchers suggest it makes breaking down alcohol more difficult because the body can’t fully focus on breaking down ethanol, meaning alcohol and byproducts linger. Further to this, they may also stimulate stress hormones and inflammation.

Do different types of alcohol get you different types of drunk?

This also falls within the ‘old-age wisdom’ bracket, but again, the answer is no.

There is no evidence that tequila makes you dance, or whisky makes you aggressive or anything else. Any perceived differences come from the strength of the alcohol, the reputation of the drink, the context in which it’s consumed and your personal history. For example, if you had tequila once and happened to dance a lot that night, the next time you have tequila, you’re already preparing yourself for the same feeling… which can actually trick you into believing the effect is real. It’s all in your head. The brain is a funny old thing.

How to avoid a hangover

·        It’s obvious but worth stating. By far and away the most powerful factor when avoiding hangovers is the amount of alcohol consumed. Drink less, feel better. The same goes for the rate of consumption.

·        Food in the belly slows absorption and minimizes sickness.

·        Alternating alcoholic drinks with a glass of water can help stave off dehydration. Or even better is if you can intake electrolytes which are lost during urination.

·        Once the hangover has hit, it’s only really Father Time that can help. Having said that, medicines like paracetamol and stronger similar tablets can ease headaches and replenishing liquids and electrolytes is important.  A proportion of hangovers are also mental, which is why distracting sensations such as cold-water swimming can help.

If you fancy swerving any risk of a hangover, then how about exploring No-Lo drinks here? They just get better and better.

12 Hilariously Unfortunate (and Downright Naughty) Drinks Names

It’s one of our greatest joys, finding products that have brilliantly funny unfortunate translations, from Fanny Tuna and Soup for Sluts to Golden Gaytime Ice Cream. As drinks is what we are all about however, here are some of our favourites; some intentional, some definitely not. Enjoy - and let us know if you find any more! 

Vergina Beer

You may have read our article about vagina beer, but it turns out that it existed already! This beer, which was first bottled in 1998 by the Macedonian Thrace Brewery apparently heralded the start of the craft beer trend in Greece. Spoiler: there are no actual ‘verginas’ in it. 

Chateau d’Arse

From a real producer in Fitou, southern France and rather a tasty wine, this red is a blend of Carignan, Grenache and Syrah. You can also find their other wine labels ‘Seigneurie d’Arse’.

The Jew’s Ear Juice

The producers of this Chinese drink explained that nationals refer to themselves as ‘the jews of China’ if they are ambitious and ‘think outside the box’. It’s a drink made with a fungus and they have now apparently decided to rebrand it to ‘Black Fungus Juice’. I think you’ll agree that this sounds way more tasty. Not.

Cunto Wine

Very much a real wine, this Italian tipple ‘Cunto’ made by Alois in Campania is a concentrated red wine made with the lesser known Parallegro grape. ‘Cunto’ means little story or fable in Italian. A little sadly, they’ve now given it a new name ‘Murella’ for the US market. 

4Skins wine

We suspect that this wine name might be deliberate but it really shows the humour of those winemakers from Nova Scotia who are experimenting with hybrids and lesser known grape varieties. Their 4skins wine is a blend of the four top grapes from Nova Scotia: Castel, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, and Lucie Kuhlmann.

Gross Sauvignon Blanc

Producers Sultz in Austria really should have done a little more research for the name of this wine, which is actually a rather delicious Savvy B.

Fart by Hellena

The word ‘fart’ is Polish for ‘luck’! This lovely looking, fruit-based beverage is so lucky, they’ve covered the label in the word. The fact that it’s produced by a company called Hellena is doubly funny to us, natch. Thanks tastytart.com for the pic.

Urinal Hot Drink

This cranberry based drink that you can have hot or cold does what it says on the tin and helps with bladder problems. We’re not sure how popular it is outside of Poland, however!

Bitch Wine

Beautifully Australian in sentiment, this rich and brooding red wine made from Grenache in the Barossa Valley was so named because ‘life can be a bitch but it’s hard to get upset about it when the wine is so good’. Indeed. 

Ménage à Trois

What do you get when you take three single varietals and leave them alone together? The answer is a ‘luscious threesome’, apparently. This American wine brand is actually pretty decent and its original blend is Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, though they now produce several other wines. 

You Fuck My Wine

With a name inspired by the song ‘You Fuck My Wine’ by Whodunit, this is quite a serious red wine. Hailing from the French region of Cahors, though it can only be called a vin de France, it's a natural red wine made from Jurançon Noir and a touch of Malbec by producer Mas del Périé, Fabien Jouves.

Penetration Cabernet

Now we’re just getting silly. Naked Winery in Oregon have a range of provocative wine labels from Booty Call Muscat to Foreplay Chardonnay and this ‘solidly satisfying’ Penetration Cabernet that’s not too tannic and heavy. Clever marketing. Well, we noticed it! 

Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale

A big shout out to Gary from the Netherlands for sending us this one! Bier & co also stock multiple other entertaining ranges so if you don’t feel like an Arrogant Bastard then you could try yourself a Flying Dog ‘Raging Bitch’ IPA or ‘Doggie Style’ Pale Ale and if you are searching for more excitement still then an ‘Owl F*ck the Caravan is on Fire!’ Wheat Ale will surely do the trick!

Found any more? Send them to us at sophie@thethreedrinkers.com

If you like this, check our our pieces on Vagina Beer, Sour Toe Cocktail and Would You Drink Dead People?

Mindful Drinking: Premium no and low alcohol drinks you'll want to sip all evening

With Lent now in full swing after Dry-January and as we slowly head up to Sober October, times of abstention from alcohol are so much easier to bear now thanks to a new wave of truly delicious, premium, non-alcoholic drinks. Some of these no and low beverages are simply lower alcohol versions of what we would like to drink anyway; some plant themselves clearly as alternatives to alcohol and others, cleverly, describe the enemy simply as ‘bad soft drinks’. Whether you can’t drink or are just trying to be more mindful of your alcohol intake, here are some delicious drinks that feel like a treat to taste. 

BEER

Lucky Saint
Alcohol: 0.5% 

This is a bubbly beer that actually tastes like a fully fledged, flavoursome full-alcohol beer. In a slow and meticulous process, Lucky Saint delicately extracts the fermentable sugars from the mash as temperatures increase and leave it unfiltered  to keep all the flavour and complexity. The beer is then distilled in a vacuum, which avoids the burnt and oxidised flavours many other non alcoholic beers have. I tested it with a bunch of beer drinkers and we all thought it was the best ‘non alcoholic’ beer we’ve’ tried (0.5% is considered to be alcohol-free). Now available on draught too.

Find it on Amazon or luckysaint.co for £25 for 12 x 330ml

Small Beer Co.
Alcohol content: 1%-2.8% 

The Small Beer company have ingeniously revived the lost tradition of creating ‘small beer’ that was popular in the 1700’s, when drinking water was dangerous. These are very low alcohol beers brewed between 0.5 and 2.8%. All under 3%, these beers are isotonic, so they are actually good for you! Tonnes of flavour without the hangover. There are four to choose from: Lager, Dark lager, Steam, and Session Pale. See our longer article on them here. 

Find them on Ocado or theoriginalsmallbeer.com for £2.15 per bottle (350ml). £11.99 for 6.

WINE-LIKE

Woodstar
Alcohol content: 1% 

This unique tipple looks like a wine and definitely does the job of wine, but it’s made with açai berries, blackcurrant and blueberries infused with cocoa extract instead of grapes. The result is a moreish, grippy, wine-like red juice. The small amount of alcohol comes from the açai berries being steeped in macerated in alcohol for twelve weeks to help release colour and flavour.

Find it Fortnum & Mason and Sainsburys for £8.50 (75cl).

Aecorn Aromatic
Alcohol content: 0% 

The three Aecorn drinks could be described as aperitifs and are made with wine grapes (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay). They are more silky and full-bodied than wine and you can drink them neat, chilled or with a splash of sparkling water as a spritzer. The most wine-like (and my favourite) is the ‘aromatic’, which is warm, woody and smoky. They also have a ‘bitter’, which reminds me of Campari and a ‘dry’, which is more for Sauvignon Blanc or Gin lovers.

£19.99 from aecorndrinks.com

Everleaf

Everleaf is the result of two passions for founder, Paul Mathew: bartending and botany. A conservationist biologist by trade, Paul wanted to create an aperitif that was plant-based and uplifting with warmth and aromatics. In Everleaf, you’ll find notes of vanilla, gentian, vetiver and orange blossom. There’s even the essence of voodoo lily in there. I’ve no idea what voodoo lily is, but I like the sound of it. Serve with Mediterranean tonic or use in cocktails like non-alcoholic negronis.

Find it on everleafdrinks.com and Sainsburys for £18 

SPIRIT

Hayman’s Small Gin

A great concept, this is a gin with a regular amount of alcohol in it BUT the botanical flavours are so concentrated, you only need - literally - one thimble full for your G&T to taste pucker. They even provide the thimble hanging around the bottle neck. It’s not the strongest, most powerfully flavoured gin, but it definitely does the job. What this means is that you can mix a normal gin and tonic but only consume  0.2 units of alcohol and 15 calories. A great, lower alcohol -and calorie- option.

Find it at Waitrose for  £25 (20cl)

SPIRIT-LIKE

Caleño

A happy, tropical, non-alcoholic spirit, which is actually rather tasty by itself over ice, Caleño makes a stonking, more fruity version of something like a Gin and Tonic. Created by Ellie Webb and inspired by her Colombian heritage, this is an infusion of juniper and inca berry with spice and citrus. There are some fantastic mocktail recipes on the site too. 

Find it at calenodrinks.com for £18.88 (50cl) £24.99 (70cl)

Seedlip Garden

The original, premium, non-alcoholic spirit, Seedlip Garden is the go-to herbaceous choice when you don’t want a Gin and Tonic and soft drinks are too dull. Have over ice with a spritz of any tonic, garnish with mint or basil and you’re away. It’s super refreshing and has that all important bitterness to kill any cravings for alcohol.

Find it at Waitrose for £26.50 (70cl)

TOTALLY UNIQUE

Three Spirit 

There is no category to put these in, but I love them. Three styles of plant-based alternatives to alcohol with a different attitude, that, as they say ‘celebrates what you put into a drink, rather than what you take out.’ Using plants traditionally used in potions and ceremonies around the world, these are non-alcoholic drinks 'with benefits’ such as the addition of ashwagandha to relax in Nightcap or guayusa, guava leaf and green tea in Livener. It’s alchemy, it’s different and delicious. You’ll want to keep the bottles too. 

Memento

Somewhere between a non-alcoholic spirit and a flavoured water, Memento is super dry in taste, like pure water that’s been infused gently with rosemary, verbena and other botanical elements. Inspired by a publication from 1498 that tells of the benefits of blending botanical essences, Memento is very refreshing and pretty bitter. It fares better in cocktails than alone in my opinion, or even just with a spritz of lemonade. 

FInd it at mementodrink.com for 30€

By Helena Nicklin

Watch The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky now streaming on Amazon Prime.

The 12 days of Giftmas - Huge giveway!

To celebrate the launch of Part Two of The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky, we’re giving away 12 drinky prizes to 12 winners, picked each day from 1st December. To enter and for all T&Cs, head over to our competition page here!

The Prizes

1st December: Uncle Nearest Bourbon Pair

Two very special Bourbon whiskies from exciting brand Uncle Nearest. The whiskey honours a former slave called Nathan ‘Nearest’ Green who was the first premium distiller in Tennessee and even taught a certain Mr Jack Daniels. These whiskies by Nearest Green Distillery honour ‘‘the best whiskey maker the world never knew... until now’. The 1856 RRP £55 & the 1884 small batch whiskey is RRP £45 but not yet available in the UK. Find out more here.

2nd December Old Bakery Gin & Rum

We’re loving this brand new, yet super old, small batch distillery gin that has made a big splash on the likes of Dragon’s Den. When owner Ian Puddick bought an old bakery in London’s Palmers Green, he discovered a centuries old illicit distillery on the premises and set about sourcing original recipes. They now have three gins and a rum, which has just been released. Yum! Gin RRP £38 Rum. RRP £43. Find out more here.

3rd December Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2015 MAGNUM

Our friends at Armit Wines have offered a magnum of red wine from one of Italy’s most famous Tuscan wine estates: Ornellaia. Le Serre Nuove is an elegant, silky blend of Bordeaux varietals. Drinking now but will keep! See more here.

4th December: Coravin Model One Black

The original Coravin gadget that allows you to have a glass of wine without pulling the cork! It works by sending a needle through the cork and replacing the wine with inert argon gas. Genius! RRP £199 See more here.

5th December Giant Glencairn Glass

Remember the oversized glass from our Loch Ness episode? Well, award-winning family business Glencairn Crystal - creators of the whisky industry’s favourite glass - is offering you the opportunity to win a limited-edition giant Glencairn Glass. The oversized version is 12 inches tall and can hold just over three bottles, or nearly 100 drams! Collectable, with only a small number made each year. This glass is worth is worth over £150.  See more here.

6th December: 30 year old ‘Blue Flower’ Baijiu

Photo credit: Cheng International Co. Limited

Baijiu is the world’s most popular spirit but have you heard of it? This stunning, grain spirit from China has many guises, but we love this elegant, 30 year old ‘blue flower’ Baijiu from Fenjiu. It’s pretty rare and has an RRP of £150. See more @fenjiu_london

7th December: Ice Cool Luxury Wine Cooler

These compact Ice Cool Wine Coolers are beautiful and practical. They maintain the temperature of a wide range of bottles yet take up less space than an ice bucket and don’t get the label wet! Available in a variety of finishes and with a personal engraving. See more here.

8th December: Master of Malt 6 Month Whisky Dram Club Subscription

Our friends at Master of Malt are offering six months worth of their Dram Club subscription to one lucky winner! You’ll receive five carefully selected whiskies worth up to £100 a bottle, right to your door. Read more about them here.

9th December: Eto wine decanter

The decanter reinvented, Eto is a work of art that works as a decanter and a wine preserver at the same time. It works by displacing air thus not allowing wine to spoil for up to 2 weeks. Perfect for that one (!) glass in the evening and keeping the rest. RRP £125-145. See more here.

10th December:  Frapin 1270 Cognac and Cocktail Kit

Frapin 1270 is a versatile cognac which can be enjoyed neat or mixed, thanks to its great aromatic richness. Win a full size 70cl bottle, two cocktail glasses and a cocktail mixing kit with all the essentials you need to start mixing like a pro and impress your friends with classic Cognac cocktails such as Mint Julep, Side Car and Old Fashioned. Prize worth over £100. See more at @cognacfrapinofficial

11th December:  Armand de Brignac Brut Gold Champagne

Gold Brut is the most iconic cuvée in the Champagne Armand de Brignac range and is created using the old world traditions of champagne blending. This prestige cuvée is a trio of vintages from some of the most highly-praised terroirs in the region and expresses vibrant fresh fruit character, and layers of complexity. RRP £300. See more here.

12th December: Personalised bottle of 18 year old Highland Park

A rich and fruity 18 year old Highland single malt bottled in 2019, this whisky from The Whisky Exchange is limited edition (only 276 bottles) and will arrive personalised with a message of your choice. Prize worth £99.95. See more at @whiskyexchange