CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in the Erewash Valley area started in May 1996, when a small group of people who enjoy a drop of real ale and socialising, met with other like-minded people at the Good Beer Guide listed pub 'The Dewdrop' on Station Street in Ilkeston. Their aim was to form the Erewash Valley branch of CAMRA in an area that was largely neglected by the neighbouring CAMRA branches of Nottingham and Derby.

We originated as a sub-branch of Nottingham CAMRA until May 2000 when we decided to try and make it on our own. Since the separation we have gone from strength to strength until we can now boast a branch membership of approx. 300, a steady rise year on year of around 25%. We are also very lucky to enjoy an impressive number of members attending our branch meetings.

 May 2007 1st Ilkeston Beer Festival

 Now - I can hear a number of you asking  "Where is Erewash Valley?" - well if you're a canal or boating enthusiast you will probably know, but for those of you who aren't, the easiest explanation would be that the area covered by our branch is about 12 miles from north to south and 6 miles from east to west lying along the valley of the Erewash canal. Please see our branch area page for more details of the towns and villages covered. We have recently gained an extension to our branch area by taking on the neighbouring villages of Breaston, Draycott, West Hallam and Mapperley

Time for a confession..... we are not primarily a campaigning branch; although we do of course, try to promote our enthusiasm for real ale and CAMRA's policies, aims and beliefs as much as possible on our travels, but we do enjoy a wide ranging and varied selection a social events. We venture out as much as possible, either to meetings, or on survey crawls within our branch area, to local beer festivals and mini-bus tours of the surrounding area and even further afield.

 Please visit our Meetings & Socials page for details of forthcoming real ale events.

The 2nd Ilkeston Beer Festival is now less than 5 days away, visit our beer festivals page for more details.

 Please see the Committee page for contact details for committee members.