It’s the perfect end to Dry January.

Now in it’s seventh year, the Franciscan Well’s Cask Ales and Strange Brew Festival is the first beer gathering of 2019 – and this time, all the action will have a circus theme.

Running from Thursday, January 31st to Saturday, February 2nd, the festival celebrates cask conditioned ales from a variety of Irish brewers, showcasing special brews made using curious and interesting ingredients.

“Cask beer has become increasingly more popular. It’s much lower in carbonation and is served at room temperature, which allows the beers full flavour to shine through.” says Kate Clancy of the Franciscan Well.

Lough Gill, Dot Brew, West Cork Brewery and 9 White Dear are just some of the breweries that will be there on the day, with over 20 cask engines rotating a range of brews.

Expect live entertainment and street performers (Saturday, 2pm), wood fired pizzas from Pompeii, and if you’re not wild about beer there’s a tasty cocktail list to sample from the MONK cocktail bar.

Admission is free and doors open at 5pm on Thursday, January 31st.