UK’s biggest gin festival kicks off 2018 tour in Nottingham

The UK’s first and biggest gin festival kicks off its 2018 tour in Nottingham this weekend with more than 100 gins on offer.

On Saturday and Sunday (April 7 and 8), gin-lovers will descend upon the Nottingham Conference Centre for the city’s third instalment of the Gin Festival.

On top of trying out different gins, the expected sell-out event offers people the chance to speak to distillers and try their samples too.

There is also live music and street food on sale.

Around 4,500 attend each year

The Gin Festival started back in 2013 after founder Jym Harris and wife Marie decided the UK needed a little more gin in their lives.

“I’ve been a big gin fan since about 2011 and there were just no events around”, said Jym.

“I went to a few tastings but there were only ever a few gins there that I’d already tried before, so that sparked the idea.”

Free masterclasses will be available first come, first serve

The Gin Festival will also have their own brand of the spirit called Tinker Gin which people will be able to sample over the two-day event.

Keeping in with National Beer Day, which is celebrated on April 7, there will also be a selection of real ales, ciders and wines available.

Jym and his team have been all over the UK with their festival.

He said: “We love it in Nottingham! People are really passionate about gin and we always have a well-educated crowd.”

Video: Highlights of the Gin Festival 2017 in Nottingham

The annual event holds three sessions over the weekend.

Saturday daytime and evening are both sold out but Sunday daytime still have tickets left in the 12.30pm to 5pm slot.

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