UK's Best Beer Festivals 2017
If you enjoy a beer on a night out – or whenever for that matter – then beer festivals will be a real treat. Normally accompanied by live music, food stalls, and lots of camaraderie, beer festivals are a great chance to enjoy a cold beverage and have a lot of fun. Check out these events if you want to see the best and biggest across the UK in 2017.
Great British Beer Festival, London
8th – 12th August 2017
The Great British Beer Festival is also known as GBBF, or, according to the organisers, the biggest pub in the world. It’s organised by CAMRA with nearly 1,000 brands of ale expected – including some limited editions and one-offs. Pub quizzes, live music, food, and games are all part of the fun too.
Find out more here.
Craft Beer Rising, London
23th – 25th February 2017
Taking place at the Old Truman Brewery, this festival focuses solely on craft beers and ciders. Live music and street food will also be available to entertain you. Over 150 craft breweries will be attending and it looks sure to be a great night right on Brick Lane.
Find out more here.
Burton Beer and Cider Festival, Burton
30th March – 1st April 2017
Though it may seem like a village hall festival wouldn’t be the biggest or the best, the Burton Beer and Cider Festival is organised by CAMRA and is often feted as the best even of the year in this area. It is largely staffed by volunteers, which makes it all the more impressive.
Find out more here.
Indy Man Beer Con, Manchester
28th September – 1st October 2017
Held at the Victoria Baths, the Independent Manchester Beer Convention is, as the name suggests, dedicated to indie breweries, especially those in the local area. The event includes live music and other entertainment, as well as talks, pop-up shops, and special tasting sessions. Breweries in the area will be holding their own mini events during the festival as well.
Find out more here.
Craft Beer Calling, Newcastle
2017 dates TBC
Held at the Wylam Brewery, this international beer festival is all about the crafts. If you want to chat with brewers while you sample their beers, this is the place to do it. 2016 attendees have already received the dates with pre-sale tickets, so hold on for the big announcement if you want to attend for the first time.
Find out more here.
Ludlow Spring Festival, Ludlow
13th & 14th May 2017
Billed as ‘like a beer festival, but better’, this spring event also covers food stalls and classic cars alongside live entertainment. It is held at the Ludlow Castle as part of the food and drink festival circuit which has a few dates there every year. 200 real ales are expected along with 60 food stalls and more.
Find out more here.
FyneFest, Argyll
2nd – 4th June 2017
Over 150 beers and 20 ciders from 39 breweries. Food stalls and live music. Fantastic views. A strict limit of 2000 tickets to camp out or attend the festival in the fields outside the Fyne Brewery. What more could you want from a beer festival?
Find out more here.
Liverpool Craft Beer Expo, Liverpool
15th – 18th June 2017
One of the largest food and drink events in Liverpool is definitely a lot of fun for beer lovers. 300 beers will be on display from breweries in the UK and Europe, and local breweries will be hosting their own bars. The venue is Constellations, an arts, music, and culture space which is certainly fit for purpose.
Find out more here.
With so many beer festivals to choose from, the only real question is: how many can you fit in during the year?
