Rich Gabe, Press Officer, West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale, sends this report:
It’s not long to go now until Dorchester Corn Exchange opens the doors to welcome customers from near and far to the 37th Dorchester Beerex. The annual sell-out event organised by West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) & Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club returns to Dorchester Corn Exchange over the weekend of February 6th & 7th
To coincide with West Dorset CAMRA’s 50th anniversary year local Dorset brewers have been busy brewing one-off celebratory ales that will feature amongst the 84 cask conditioned “Real Ales” alongside over 20 traditional ciders and Perries all natural with-out concentrates.
Cerne Abbas brewery will be the 2026 main sponsor having previously done it for the past 4 years. They make a welcome return and are looking forward to meeting customers and providing a selection of their beers alongside some special brews including Gurt 50th, a rich dark winter warmer in celebration of West Dorset CAMRA and “Ale To The Chief” in homage of Victor Irvine (Vic) original partner and brewer of Cerne Abbas brewery.
This year’s festival committee chair is the West Dorset CAMRA Chairman Bruce Mead who said” Everything is coming along nicely, and we can’t wait to welcome you all on the Beerex weekend; having been to many festivals I can honestly say that this year’s selection of beer and cider is one of the best I have ever seen, something for everyone” Bruce added “I would like to thank all of the volunteer staff over the weekend who make this marvellous event possible”
Other beer highlights to look out for will be Copper St breweries potent Dorchester Imperial Stout a multi award winner, “L” in celebration of West Dorset CAMRA and Be Victorious in remembrance to Vic Irvine. Palmers will be supplying their 5.3% Celebration Ale to celebrate West Dorset CAMRA as well as Small Paul’s from Gillingham with 5@50.
From further afield the Weymouth Octoberfest overall winner Cowella from Ampersand brewery makes a welcome return, Leatherbritches will be supplying “Scoundrel” a porter from Leicestershire .While from Scotland Loch Lomond brewery will provide their 80 shillings bitter and from Wales Grey Trees will supply Drummer Boy in honour of the late Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable.
For cider drinkers there will be a selection of all styles from dry to sweet including Dorset producer Isaac from Beaminster with a 5% Anti-Gravity, Somerset’s Harry’s Flash Harry’s Mango & Lime and Dorset Nectar’s Pineapple Lane. From Kent Dudda’s Tun will be providing a Blackberry cider while Sussex producer “Big Nose & Beardy” will be supplying a 7% Ugly Dog!
Alongside promoting some of the best breweries and cider producers in the U.K the festival has always raised funds for local good causes; the 2026 festival’s main charity beneficiary will be “People First Dorset” (PFD).
PFD aims to assist people with learning disabilities through friendship clubs, helping to connect with local communities via skill sets such as communication skills and reducing social isolation and to promote independence and well being. Speaking on-behalf of PFD, Laura Kerr, PFD Manager said, “To hear from Les we’d been chosen as Dorchester Beerex’s main charity for 2026, was a wonderful surprise that came out of the blue. We could not be more excited and delighted, plus deeply appreciate the work Dorchester Beerex does for the local community, and of course the brewing industry. Members are already planning fun beer-themed games for our stand, so please come over and have a go!”
PFD Project Worker, Kerry Martin (who has a learning disability) said, “I am very happy the beer festival have chosen us as their charity for next year. It means a lot to us, and I’m already looking forward to helping out, and meeting lots of people. Please come over and say hello if you see me!”
To date the festival has raised just over £300K for good local causes; this is all possible through the generosity of local companies and breweries through barrel sponsorship and raffle prize donations. If you would like to get involved and promote your business through sponsoring a barrel please visit www.Beerex.co.uk for more details. Money from the raffle will once again go to the Dorchester Youth and Community Centre in Kings Rd, Dorchester which gives valuable motivation to the youth of Dorchester and vulnerable people.
Customers can expect music in the evenings with a party atmosphere on the Saturday evening and beer, banter and chatter on the lunchtime sessions. Friday evening will see Jack Daniels providing an acoustic set while back by popular demand Saturday evening are Bournemouth based “Bullitt” who perform covers from the likes of Ash, Foo-Fighters and Green Day to name but a few. The festival attracts a wide variety of customers of all ages and back grounds, with many visiting the town from afar. Upstairs there is seating for over 100 customers.
Tickets are priced at £12 and include commemorative glass, colour programme listing all beers and ciders with tasting notes and two free half pint drink tokens.
CAMRA members will receive an extra free pint.
Confirmed ticket outlets are:
Dorchester. Convivial Rabbit, Copper St Brewery Tap & Tom Browns.
Poundbury. Brace of Butchers
Weymouth. The Globe.
Online via www.Beerex.co.uk
