The festival opened on Tuesday (August 25) with hundreds of people heading down to the Embankment to enjoy a drink or two.
One of the major events on the opening day of the festival is deciding the prize winners for the best beers – including the overall champion pint.
The judging panel met early on Tuesday morning to taste dozens of beers before coming to a conclusion.
So, if you are heading down to the festival this week – these are the champion drinks – and breweries – to look out for:
Beer of the Festival:
Gold: Balance Brewing – Birthday Blend 2025
Silver: Marble Beers – Lagonda
Bronze: Green Duck – Bostin’ Mild
Cask of the Festival:
Gold: Marble Beers – Lagonda
Silver: Green Duck – Bostin’ Mild
Bronze: Green Jack – Baltic Trader
Keg of the Festival:
Gold: Balance Brewing – Birthday Blend 2025
Silver: Nene Valley – Heisenberg
(no bronze awarded)
Cider of the Festival:
Gold: Blue Barrell – Cuckoo Returns
Silver: Green Fen – Lady of the Fen
Bronze: Perrys Cider – Grey Heron
Perry of the Festival:
Gold: Gwatkins – Squeal Pig
Silver: Spinney – Nice Pear
Bronze: Whin Hill – Whin Hill Perry

13. Peterborough Beer Festival 2026
The queue to get in on opening day Photo: David Lowndes

14. Peterborough Beer Festival 2026
Fran Sandall, Chris Wiggin and Michelle Beran serving wine at the Festival. Photo: David Lowndes

15. Peterborough Beer Festival 2026
Behind the barrels looking after the pipes is Chris Bee Photo: David Lowndes

16. Peterborough Beer Festival 2026
Serving gin and rum - Joey Donovan-Frisby, Kally Donovan, Sam Cocozza, Sarah Towler and Duncan Jackson. Photo: David Lowndes

