Imagine being in a bar that’s serving almost THIRTY beers on draught from Northern Ireland breweries – around twenty keg and almost ten on cask. Add to that, another FIFTY brews from NI in bottle or can and that’s one heck of a great Saturday afternoon.

For quite a few lucky souls last week, imagination was not required as the superb Northern Lights bar in Belfast did just that to celebrate its second birthday.  

Members of the CAMRA NI team arrived in the morning and erected a temporary cask bar at a very prominent position between the main bar and front door. Andrew from new Londonderry brewery Rough Brothers also brought his own hand pumps to sit alongside those of CAMRA and this party was ready to rock and roll.

Loads of knowledgeable volunteers helped pull countless tasty, locally brewed pints from midday until midnight and this enthusiasm, coupled with traditional hand pumps positioned front and almost centre, generated great interest from the public who learned more about CAMRA’s campaigning aims in Northern Ireland. We even managed to sign up members on the day!

Some of the campaign aims are highlighted in a document which is pushing for alcohol and pub licensing laws in NI to be changed. You can make that change by filling the form in here or if you have questions about it, attend a CAMRA meeting at Boundary’s tap room on November 16^th.

Back to the party! Many thanks to Northern Lights bar manager Sinead for her hard work, planning, undoubted sleepless nights and dedication to local beer.

Thanks to so many of our great local brewers for supplying the beer and turning up on the day to chat and hand out free samples.

Thanks to the bar’s clientele for engaging with CAMRA NI, taking an interest in cask beer and generally being fantastic people.

Whatever your favourite tipple at the birthday bash, from a lager to a pineapple sour and on to a gingerbread stout, we’re confident you had a great day.

We sure did.