Nicholsons pubs will be hosting a an autumn beer festival with a difference from 31st October to 16th November.

As well as an interesting selection of dark, autumnal beers from breweries including Wild Beer Co and Red Squirrel, there will also be an unusual competition called ‘Whose Beer is it Anyway?’. This competition provides the opportunity for brewers from Purity, Brains and Adnams to create an improvised ale having drawn lots at random from three pots. The three pots were for beer style, ABV and hop region and the three brews will be available at the beginning of the festival after the brewers have demonstrated their ability to innovate with this selection of randomly-selected ingredients and ABV. Customers can then vote for their favourite via an online poll.

As you can imagine this is a great way to create interest around a beer festival and to invite interaction from pub goers. The winning brew will be available for the rest of the winter in Nicholsons pubs. The participating brewers are already tweeting and posting on Facebook about their improvised ales and, to kick off the beer festival, a number of pubs will be holding a Halloween party. One of the brewers, Purity, has also held a competition to name their improvised brew.