Discover where to enjoy real ale and craft beer in Bury St Edmunds
Historic Bury St Edmunds is the perfect place to experience delicious real ale and unique craft beer
Raise a glass in the Beer Capital of Suffolk and become part of a brewing history dating back 1,000 years. In 1086, monks were brewing ale on the site of the Great Abbey using water from Bury’s chalk wells which are still used today by Greene King, one of the UK’s largest breweries
From award-winning public houses to unique bars, there is a great choice of real ale and craft beer as well as live music, beer festivals, and quiz nights throughout the year providing something for everyone! Mark your place in history, share your experience, tell others about your favourite pub, bar or speciality shop on Twitter using #BuryAleTrail.
To take part in the Bury St Edmunds Ale Trail pick up a map at The Apex, Moyse’s Hall Museum, or St Edmundsbury Cathedral Visitor Information Point when you are in town. Or download the Ale Trail now.
•The word ‘Beer’ comes from ‘Bierere’, which means to drink in Latin.
•Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage, it ranks after water and tea.
•Ancient Egyptians were brewing at least six different kids of beer by around 3000 BC.
•During the middle ages, beer brewing monks drank up to five quarters each day.
• Bury St Edmunds’ links with brewing go back a long way – almost 1,000 years in fact the monks at the Great Abbey were brewing ale in 1086.
• In the days of the Abbey men, women and children would drink ale for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Bury St Edmunds is the home of Greene King and the water for the beer is drawn from the same chalk wells used by the Abbey’s monks, 200ft beneath the brewery.
• In the middle of the 18th Century Bury St Edmunds had around 150 pubs. “Every other house is an inn’ is a well-known saying from those days.
• The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds was once used by Greene King as a dilapidated yet magnificent barrel store between 1925 and 1962. Greene King purchased the freehold of the theatre in 1920 (and still owns it today) but in 1925, the company had struggled to keep the theatre in operation.
• Every year Bury St Edmunds has a popular Food and Drink Festival which showcases local food & drink as well as tasty delights from around the world.
• Bury St Edmunds is home to the annual East Anglian Beer & Cider Festival now in its 32nd year and held inside St Edmundsbury Cathedral.
• At 15ft by 7ft, The Nutshell Pub in Bury St Edmunds is officially Britain’s Smallest Pub. The iconic mummified cat which hangs from its ceiling is reputed to have been found in a house in Whiting Street. Years ago, people would put cats in the walls of buildings to scare off evil spirits and so, if you find one, it’s said to be bad luck to remove it.
• The Masons Arms, located in the centre of historic Bury St Edmunds, dates back to the early 16th century and still retains many of the original features including beams and inglenook fireplace.
• The Old Cannon Brewery is unique among Suffolk breweries for having its two beautiful brewing vessels on display in the bar; meaning you can sit next to your beer as it’s being brewed!
• Historically The One Bull may be Bury St Edmunds’ oldest pub, selling the monk’s ale to the townsfolk, brewed in the Abbey next door.
• Belgian beer bar Vespers stock a number of “historically important” beers brewed by monks from 12 different Trappist breweries at monasteries across Europe.
• The Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds was voted the UK’s Poshest Wetherspoons by readers of The Express.
Route Map
Participating Businesses
Adnams
Adnams has a fabulous range of Adnams Beers and Spirits created in Southwold. The Brewery was established in 1872 and still has the Adnams Family involved in the business which now includes Hotels, Pubs and shops.
Beautiful Beers
Established in 2011 by René van den Oort Beautiful Beers is dedicated to bringing some of Europe’s finest beers to East Anglia.
Boosh
A stylish and cosmopolitan bar, located in the heart of Bury St Edmunds.
Nightjars
Nightjars is a newly opened café-style bar during the day, with a thriving bar with live music, drinks, and vibrant atmosphere at night.
Dog & Partridge
British Pub grub is served at this traditional establishment with a range of cask ales.
Edmundo Lounge
Based on the corner site off the market square, Edmundo Lounge is a very historical-inspired venue with William Morris wallpaper and lots of leather seating.
Greene King Beer Cafe
We are the start and finish point for our daily award winning brewery tours. Greene King Beer Café is snuggled next to the brewery in Westgate Street
Kings Arms Tavern
The Kings Arms Tavern offers traditional pub fayre with a contemporary twist and has a spacious outdoor dining area.
Nethergate Brewery Shop
Independent Brewery Shop in the heart of the historic Bury St Edmunds.
Oakes Barn
A traditional free house serving a wide selection of real ales and craft beer. Oakes Barn is a community hub with historic links to the medieval town.
Queens Bar and Grill
Queens is a new Bar & Grill set in one of Bury’s oldest free houses, serving American-inspired dishes with a variety of ales and craft beers.
The Angel Hotel
An Iconic hotel on Angel Hill with a relaxed bar area serving 7 different cask ales and beers with one developed by the hotel itself, which is brewed locally.
The Beerhouse
The Beerhouse offers a wide selection of Cask les and keg beers including Brewshed Beers from its own craft Brewery just down the road.
The Bushel
An independent free-house and the only brewhouse where you can see the beer in the making!
The Corn Exchange
The Corn Exchange is the Bury St Edmunds Wetherspoons pub, offering great value food and drinks, and often has guest ales on tap.
The Fox Inn
A 15th Century Inn that offers a cosy environment to eat and drink in.
The Grapes
A traditional pub based right in the heart of Bury St Edmunds, offering excellent value food, live music, and karaoke nights.
The Masons Arms
A traditional pub with a glass viewing area to the beer cellar below. A quiz night is hosted every Tuesday.
The Nutshell
The Nutshell is Britain’s smallest pub, and has a selection of real ales.
The One Bull
The One Bull offers fresh seasonal regional food, an award-winning wine list & Brewshed beers from its own craft brewery just down the road.
The Old Canon Brewery
A proud and privately owned, genuinely independent free house in Bury St Edmunds
The Westgate
The Westgate Pub is a welcoming traditional pub, located in the medieval town of Bury St Edmunds.
Verve
The town’s newest cocktail bar and restaurant boasting two floors of space to drink, dine, and socialise with friends.
Vespers
Vespers is a speciality Belgian beer bar serving a vast selection of beers ranging, from easy-drinking blonde beers to historic Trappist ales.
The Rose & Crown
We are a family run traditional (proper) pub, with over 7 hand pulled rotating ales available and 6 keg beers. We also have a fabulous secret garden and although we may not offer food, we do offer bar snacks.
The Rising Sun
Hopsters