Introduction

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), founded in 1971, is one of the most successful consumer organisations in the world. Our vision is to have quality real ale, cider andperry available to all. Bolton CAMRA Branch represents the Campaign in the Borough of Bolton. We are run by our members, all volunteers who promote real ale, cider and perry and campaign for drinkers across the town by:

● Maintaining details of pubs and clubs in the Branch Area on WhatPub
● Providing entries to CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide
● Campaigning against the closures of pubs and clubs
● Lobbying politicians
● Promoting our local breweries
● Presenting Pub and Club Awards
● Organising Bolton Beer and Cider Week
● Producing and distributing Bolton Beer Breaks magazine
● Developing local Pub Guides and Ale Trails
● Running regular social events
● Volunteering at local and national beer festivals

You can help by becoming a member. Or think aboutvolunteering, even a few minutes a week can help. Contact us to find out how or come along to our Branch Meetings. Most of all enjoy and celebrate your real ale, cider and perry!

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Branch Meeting

Branch meeting on Thursday 2nd July 2026 at the Northern Monkey Brewery Tap on Chorley Street, Bolton at 8pm. The Bar will be open from 7.30pm

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Future Meetings

TBC

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Branch Socials

All social events are now listed here

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Presentations

Cider Pub of the Year 2026 Runner Up

Congratulations to the Blackedge Brewery Bar, Horwich, Runner Up for the Cider Pub of the Year 2026. The presentation will be held on Saturday 13th June at 3.00pm. All are welcome to attend.

Pub of the Year 2026 – Winner & Runner Up

Congratulations to the both the Bank Top Brewery Ale House, Horwich for winning the Pub of the Year 2026 and also the Bank Top Brewery Tap, Bolton for Runner Up for Pub of the Year 2026.

The presentations for both of these pubs will be held on Saturday 13th June at 5.00pm at the Bank Top Brewery Ale House, Horwich. All are welcome to attend.

North West Regional Cider Pub of the Year

The presentation of the North West Regional Cider Pub of the Year will be presented to the Petersgate Tap in Stockport at 14:00 on Sunday the 26th July. All are welcome to attend.

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Stockport Beer & Cider Festival

Stockport Beer and Cider Festival will be running from 18th to 20th June at the Stockport Guild Hall. Bolton Branch is running a trip to the festival on Friday 19th June – see our Social Events pages – but for those members attending under their own steam please note the following important information:

In order to avail yourselves of free entry to the festival you either need to attend the trade and CAMRA members session 3.30pm to 5.30pm on 18th June (NB once in they can stay for the subsequent public session) or purchase an advance package (free entry+£10 beer/cider tokens and a £4 glass which is refundable) for a public session at www.stockportfestival.org.uk – the entry packages for walk ups at public sessions will not include free entry. The organisers have done this to enable us to control numbers within the fire limit and encourage the use of Tckty. 

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Bolton Pub / Cider & Club of the Year 2026 Winners

Pub of the Year 2026

Bank Top Ale House, Church Street, Horwich

Cider Pub of the Year 2026

B33R@33, Lee Lane, Horwich

Club of the Year 2026

Bolton Ukrainian Social Club, Castle Street, Bolton

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Bolton Pubs

The photographs above show the Bolton pubs which are in the 2026 Good Beer Guide. The Guide is available from the CAMRA online shop here. CAMRA members get a discount on the cover price. General information on Bolton pubs and clubs is available on CAMRA’s national website here where you can search for a pub, search a location or simply click on Nearby Pubs if you want to find out which pubs are close to your current location.

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Bolton Beer & Cider Week – 3rd – 12th July 2026

The Bolton Beer & Cider Week will be returning between 3rd and 12th July 2026. Details will be appearing on the Bolton Beer & Cider Week page as we get closer to the event.

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Good Beer Guide 2026

The next edition of the Good Beer Guide is now out. Order your copy here.

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Framed Pump Clips For Sale

CAMRA Bolton Branch have For Sale a selection of Framed Pump Clips. Full details are available here in the Members area