Beer festivals: camping without a hiccup

‘MORE DRINK!’

Sorry, I seem to be channelling Father Jack again. But, since so many of you clearly take after our dark alcoholic little hearts and liked our recent whisky trail blog , we thought we’d take a look at what other dramping shenanigans there are around the country. Happily, there are plenty. You could go camping to a beer festival every week of the year if you wanted . (Pitchup.com takes no responsibility for the breakdown of long-term relationships, marriages, job prospects or waistlines.)

Try these ones for starters:

• Reading Real Ale and Jazz Festival : Real ale! And jazz! All over three days from 21—23 July at Christchurch Meadow in Reading. Wine and cider will also be available for anyone not wanting to try ale, or fancying a change once hungover. Also, for those not as confident of their dancing skills as I am after several ales (get out of my way, people), there’s even a swing dancing workshop on the Thursday night. Bliss. For camping, stagger back at night to Wellington Country Park or Oakley Farm Caravan Park for ale-fuelled snoozing.

• Beer on the Wye VII : 140 types of beer! And 99 types of cider! By the river! Sorry, am getting a bit over-excited here, but what’s not to squee about? Beer on the Wye is at Hereford from 8—10 July, and will have live music covering soul, bluegrass, ska, jazz and blues. There’s even a family fun day on the Sunday, so you have the perfect excuse...I mean, family activity. Pitchup.com has 14 parks in Hereford – try Cuckoo's Corner Camp Site for tent, tourer and motorhome pitches.

• Worcester Beer, Cider and Perry Festival : This one runs from 11—13 August at Worcester Racecourse, and is running a ‘Help Us Select’ competition where you can suggest additions to all three lists. Entertainment at the festival is indie rock, heavy rock, jazz, blues and funk, and also 'a tombola with beery prizes', which as we all know are the best type of prizes. We have 13 sites in Worcester to pick from – try a lodge at Lenchford Meadow Park, or a wigwam at Wolferlow .

• Corris Festival, Wales : Free admission! Oops, I’m doing the exclamation mark thing again. But free admission! Corris runs from the 1—4 September near Powys, with a line-up including rock, pop, folk and choral. There’s a cover charge for the Saturday night gig, but otherwise the only cost you’ll have here is your beer, which is all from the Welsh Marches. Pitchup.com has almost 90 sites in Powys , with ten at Machynlleth where the festival is.

• York Beer and Cider Festival : Up to 250 beers and 50 ciders and perries, a foreign beer bar, live music on the Friday and Saturday nights, and plenty of local food make this festival, from 15—17 September, one to pencil in. There’s even a bouncy castle, although this is perhaps not wise after several ale and cider samples. We have 57 sites to pick from in York – York Touring Caravan Site is only a few minutes from York city centre, for example – and over 300 in North Yorkshire if you want to stay on for a few days after your hangover.

What with this and the whisky blog, you should now be preparing for dramping in earnest. And remember – you can always check out the nearest boozers on each campsite's page, using our Good Pub Guide box. You’re welcome!