What better place to enjoy a Bank Holiday weekend than sat with a beer or cider in hand?

Punchline has collated our favourite pubs, bars and beer festivals to visit this weekend to ensure the pint glass never goes dry.

1# Try something different at Gloucester IPA Beer Festival 

Thanks to the award-winning Gloucester Brewery, the humble IPA is being celebrated with a festival in its honour on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.

The Gloucester IPA Beer Festival will showcase India Pale Ales from around the world as well as unveil Gloucester Brewery's new beer, the Vic IPA.

Tickets for the festival are £10 which includes your first £5 of beer tokens. There will be also be food and live music throughout the two days.

There are two daily sessions, from noon to 5pm and 5.30pm to 11pm on both Friday and Saturday. Click here to book tickets for any of the sessions. 

Where: Gloucester Brewery, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2LG

2# Visit Gloucestershire's Pub and Bar of the Year 

Owners of a Gloucestershire pub are celebrating after their business was named best in county in a national awards, and why not join in?

Already this year The Ebrington Arms, run by Claire and Jim Alexander and their team, has won the Gloucestershire Dining Pub of the Year 2019, courtesy of the Good Pub Guide.

Tristan O'Hara, from the National Pub & Bar Awards said; "The Ebrington Arms is just one of those beautiful, quintessential Cotswold pubs that continues to raise the bar.

"The investment in the team, as well as in the property itself, is testament to the passionate operation going on at this pub.

"The events schedule is enticing, and the menus are intricately thought through. A worthy winner of the Gloucestershire Pub & Bar of the Year."

Where: May Lane, Ebrington, Chipping Campden GL55 6NH

Opening hours: Open daily 9am until close

More information: https://www.theebringtonarms.co.uk/

3# Watch the world go by from the Pilot Inn

Views of the Gloucester-Sharpness canal are a plenty from the gardens of the Pilot Inn, Hardwicke.

Whether it's watching the action from the Gallagher Premiership as Harlequins face Leicester Tigers, or enjoying live music from Leon Day, this highly popular family pub is sure to be a big hitter this Bank Holiday weekend.

Where: Sellars Road, Hardwicke, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL2 4QD

Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 23:00, Friday - Saturday: 12:00 - 00:00 and Sunday: 12:00 - 22:00.

More information: https://www.pilotinnhardwicke.co.uk/index

4# Celebrate the best of beers at Cirencester Beer Festival 

Following on from the success of last year's event, the town's historic Corn Hall will be transformed into its very own Cotswold bierkeller on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4.

Opening at 7pm on the Friday and 11.30am on Saturday, the festival provides a tempting line-up of beers from Cotswold brewery's including Corinium and Ashton, as well as those further afield such as White Rock and Liberation from the Channel Islands.

A great selection of craft ciders will also be on offer including favourites Raspberry Kiss and Prince Harry's Ginger, as well as a fully-stocked gin bar.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cirencesterbeerfestival.co.uk. Alternatively, they can be bought from Made By Bob, Diversitea (cafe located in the Corn Hall) or The Kings Head Hotel, Cirencester.

Where: Corn Hall, 26 Market Place, Cirencester, GL7 2NP

5# The Fountain Inn

A stone's throw from Punchline HQ, The Fountain Inn is a firm favourite amongst our team. Boasting a sun-trapped cobbled courtyard and a great selection of food and drink, you can't really go wrong.

Where: 53 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2NW

Opening hours: Sunday - Saturday 11am - 11pm

More information: https://www.thefountaininngloucester.com/