Flower Pots Beer Fest in Cheriton marks 30th year

The festival runs from August 28 to 30 at the Flower Pots Inn and Brewery in Cheriton, with 158 beers, including 29 brewed by the pub.

Managing Director Rupert Boissier said: “We are a beer fest first and foremost. We have a big team and it’s a real team effort to get the whole place built and put it together.

“We just love it, we love people coming up and trying different beers.”

Head Brewer Ash Morrow, Harper and managing director Ruper Boissier (Image: Newsquest)

The festival’s 30th year coincides with the pub opening its new brewery and being named as Hampshire CAMRA Pub of the Year for 2026.

Mr Boissier continued: “We are delighted about it. It’s all about community, we work really hard with the community, we are a community pub.”

Among those visiting the pub were former owners Jo Bartlett and Paul Tickner, who launched the festival in the early 1990s.

Ms Bartlett said: “It’s lovely to see it still going in its 30th year.

“We love coming here because we can catch up with all our old customers and friends.”

Lee Taylor and Ken Davy (Image: Newsquest)

Lee Taylor and Ken Davy cycled 14 miles from Whiteley to the pub. Regular beer-festival visitors, they called the Cheriton event the best they had attended.

Mr Taylor said: “We are just here for the beer. We go to many beer events, and we think this is the best one.

“They don’t charge, it’s free entry. What’s not to like?”

The pair said they enjoyed trying beers from further afield, and had both enjoyed a beer from Hackney.

Carolyn Symns-Evans, Alan Evans, and their dog Otis (Image: Newsquest)

Travelling from Brighton were Carolyn Symns-Evans, Alan Evans, and their dog Otis.

After visiting last year, they stayed in Alresford this year so they could attend on more than one day.

Alan said: “We love it. We like the atmosphere. The quality of the music is phenomenal, and they have lots of different genres.

"The organisation is like a well-oiled machine. They have got their pricing right. We will probably come back next year.”

Carolyn said the group enjoyed views of the “idyllic English countryside” and had previously visited the pub for food while attending nearby Southampton FC matches.

Harriet Perkins, Koo Akers and Emily Bray (Image: Newsquest)

Emily Bray, who runs Wild Sauna at The Yard in Chilton Candover, was enjoying the festival with friends.

Ms Bray said: “As someone with a local business, I really like supporting local businesses.

“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s a nice pub, lovely people, lovely wine and beer.”

She visited with Koo Akers from Oxfordshire, who runs Bonni Outbuildings, and Harriet Perkins from Mortimer.

Ms Akers said: “It’s a great place for a family outing over the Bank Holiday weekend. It’s good to do something with the teens as well.”

James Hood, Scott McDade, Julia Hood, Hannah Lawes and Tony Taylor (Image: Newsquest)

Hannah Lawes, Julia Hood, Scott McDade, Tony Taylor and James Hood, friends from an NCT group, also praised the range of drinks on offer.

They called the number of beers “mind-blowing”, while Mr McDade said the festival appeared bigger than at his previous visit.

Around the festival (Image: Newsquest)

Hannah said: “It’s absolutely great. It is cheaper than most pubs for a pint, there’s no entry ticket, and it’s very family friendly.”

Julia added: “We just envisioned it would be a nice summer day out.”