What is BADRAG?

BADRAG (the Bristol and District Rare Ales Group) is an award-winning campaigining group within the local branch of CAMRA. Our aim is to promote the rarer styles of real ale to brewers, publicans and drinkers. These include dark beers, such as milds, porters and stouts, plus the even rarer old ales and barley wines.

The group was launched at the 2007 Bristol Beer Festival.

BADRAG activity

BADRAG members regularly gather at CAMRA and pub beer festivals, and arrange pub walks in the Bristol area, visiting pubs which have agreed to stock a BADRAG-style beer. Why not join us for a social in the city, or day/weekend trips from Bristol by public transport?

We have a few festival gatherings in the coming months, and a Pub walk around the Kingsdown area of Bristol planned for 11 July 2026, starting at 13:00 at the Highbury Vaults, 164 St Michaels Hill, Bristol BS2 8DE. The walk will also take in the Robin Hood and the Hillgrove Porter Stores, and up to 1-2 others, all of which have committed to stocking at least one BADRAG-style beer on the day.

Please check the Branch Diary and Google Calendar for full details of this and other upcoming events. Where applicable, buy tickets in advance or on the door, as specified in the event's further details.

You can also follow BADRAG's activities and plans in our saward-winning branch magazine, Pints West Magazine.

Brew, stock, drink them or lose them!

You may think that these styles aren't really rare; BADRAG's campaigining over the years has helped them become less so, but there are still parts of the Bristol & District branch area where they are hard to find. You could help with this campaign ...

As a customer by asking for milds, porters, stouts and other rare styles of real ale to be served in your local, to show licensees that there is demand - and then drink them of course!

As a licensee introduce one of these styles and see what your customers think. There is a wide range of strengths and flavours to complement the rest of your beer range. Ask your local suppliers or brewery contacts what they can offer - and let us know so we can promote your pub to BADRAG members.

As a brewer let us know if you brew one or more of these styles and where we might be able to drink them.

Contact the BADRAG coordinators by email: BADRAG coordinators.