Gin lovers will be pleased to hear that a celebration of the drink is set to take place in Ipswich next month.

East Anglian Daily Times: Have a gin on the Orwell Lady Picture: ORWELL LADYHave a gin on the Orwell Lady Picture: ORWELL LADY (Image: Archant)

The festival, which is being organised by Beer&Co, promises unique gin sessions at fantastic locations.

The four-day array of events will be launched in conjunction with Ipswich Maritime. However, the gin festival will start ahead of Maritime on Thursday, August 16.

Across the four days there will be five main events to attend starting with a gin cruise along the river Orwell. Other events include a gin cocktail supper at the Suffolk Food Hall, a summer gin brunch at Arlingtons Cafe and restaurant, gin tasting and firework spectacular and more.

East Anglian Daily Times: The waterfront weekend has lots to do Picture: CHRIS REEVEThe waterfront weekend has lots to do Picture: CHRIS REEVE (Image: �ReeveBanks Photography)

Event organiser, Greg Cooper of Beer&Co, said: “We have been hosting ‘Secret Gin Club‘ sessions locally, which showcase a range of fantastic Gin’s in the most interesting venues and locations in the town. These sessions have proved to be extremely popular and thought it would be a great idea to create something just as special for Ipswich Maritime.”

The festival will bring together a range of distillers to host sessions including Lonewolf, Bullards, HMS and The Heart of Suffolk. Each ticket holder will receive a ‘copas’ gin glass courtesy of festival partner ‘Franklin & Son’s Tonics.

For more information and details on the events at the gin festival visit www.beerandco.uk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Suffolk Food Hall will be part of the gin festival Picture: SUFFOLK FOOD HALLSuffolk Food Hall will be part of the gin festival Picture: SUFFOLK FOOD HALL (Image: Archant)

The free Ipswich Maritime will start on August 18 and 19, it is being organised by the Borough Council in association with Isaacs on the Quay.

The festival offers live entertainment, a traditional beer festival, salty Georgian sailors and crews of pirates, a sumptuous global food market, a fully licensed bar, craft stalls, street entertainment and more. The popular fireworks display will also be taking place at 9.45pm on the Saturday.

Visitors can get around the Waterfront with the help of a foot ferry and a land train.

East Anglian Daily Times: Arlingtons is also one of the venues taking part Picture: ARLINGTONS BALLROOMArlingtons is also one of the venues taking part Picture: ARLINGTONS BALLROOM (Image: Archant)

The Mayor said: “There is a lot going on at the Ipswich Maritime Festival – live music, historical re-enactments, a variety of vessels, street food, fairground rides, Punch & Judy and children’s activities. I want to thank everyone who has put Maritime Festival together – our own events team and volunteers and also the sponsors, especially Isaacs on the Quay, who turn this into reality.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich Maritime Fireworks Picture: JEN ONEILLIpswich Maritime Fireworks Picture: JEN ONEILL (Image: Archant)