The Western Sussex Branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) ran a very successful introductory Ale Trail in 2025 last summer from May to September. The primary purpose of the Ale Trail was to help our local pubs during a difficult period for them and to introduce potential new members to what benefits CAMRA can offer. Other CAMRA branches in UK have already implemented very successful Ale Trails, so Western Sussex CAMRA Branch wanted to have something significant to celebrate their 50th Anniversary last year and, of course, to grow their own membership numbers. Most feedback received from participating pubs and from the participants (Ale Trailers) was good so a second Ale Trail will be run in Western Sussex in 2026. What is an Ale Trail? Some 350 Passports are being issued free to all Ale Trailers by Western Sussex CAMRA Branch. Participating pubs will stamp each passport whenever an Ale Trailer purchases a pint or half a pint of Cask Ale, Real Cider or Real Perry in their pub. Entry cost for pubs is £25 each, and some 30 pubs in W. Sussex which were selected have already signed up. Fully stamped passports get returned to Western Sussex CAMRA Branch, who will then reward successful individuals with a free pin badge and also an attractive, subsidised commemorative Ale Trail T-shirt which will be free to the first 15 completers of the trail. The Western Sussex Ale Trail has the backing and support of CAMRA and sponsorship from some local businesses and brewers like Langhams. The 2026 Real Ale & Cider Trail will be launched at the annual Yapton Beerex (15 - 17 May), and the Trail will run for three months giving drinkers the optimum time to visit the participating pubs throughout the summer to get their passports stamped. The Ale Trail can also bring existing, new, and regular real ale and real cider drinkers together, encouraging them to create their own Ale Trail itineraries, and giving the participating pubs the opportunity to welcome them into becoming valuable returning customers. Feedback from Ale Trailers visiting the pubs involved also helps the W. Sussex Branch to select pubs to be recommended for CAMRA’s annual Good Beer Guide. The 2026 Western Sussex Ale Trail will run from the Yapton Beerex on 15th May to the Holly Tree Beer Festival on 23rd August and further information can be found at https://westernsussex.camra.org.uk/aletrail