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Here are the beer festivals to look out for in 2019
The craft beer scene has exploded globally over the past 15 years, and with it has come a vastly improved calendar of events for die-hard fans of hops.
Whether you take your brewing very seriously, are looking for new beers to try or just want to have a big day out on your favourite ales, there is a beer festival for you out there.
We’ve rounded up the events we’re keeping our eyes on this year, from an independent brewer’s mecca in Liverpool to a weekend in a disused public lavatory.
Click through to see our pick of the festivals to watch in 2019.
Copycat: Another Beer Festival
(Photo: Kill the Cat)
When: Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 February
Where: 82a Commercial Street, London, E1 6LY
How much: In theory, admission is free, but the intimate venue only holds up to 100 people at a time. Priority tickets are on sale for £5 at copycatlondon.co.uk
New for 2019 is Copycat, which is taking up lodgings in a “disused public toilet in Shoreditch”. Organised by Kings Cross-based Two Tribes Brewing and east London bottle shop Kill the Cat, this festival will feature UK brewers such as Verdant, Deya, Whiplash, Glasshouse Beer Co, Boxcar, Duration, Unity and, of course, Two Tribes, pouring their new releases for the capital’s craft fans.
“Once we found the venue, we knew it needed to happen,” Justin Hutton of Two Tribes said.
“We drew up a list of our top breweries and put it out there to our friends in the industry and we were beyond excited when they all signed up – the tap lists are going to be insane!”
Those who order priority tickets will also receive two free 400ml cans of Copycat Brut IPA; a beer Two Tribes and Kill the Cat brewed in collaboration last year.
Craft Beer Rising
When: 21 to 23 February
Where: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London
How much: tickets start from £15 and can be found here.
One of the highlights of the hipster beer fan’s calendar, Craft Beer Rising combines beer, cider, street food, table tennis, live music and even virtual reality for three days of hops and hype.
Well-established beer brands such as Goose Island, Brewdog and London Fields will all be exhibiting at the 7th edition of CBR, alongside UK favourites Tiny Rebel and Fourepure, as well as Lost and Grounded, low ABV specialist Big Drop, and all-female brewery Mothership, which will be launching and exhibiting their first brews at this year’s event. Alongside this, the festival will also host a series of seminars and talks focusing on ethics and equality in brewing, food and beer pairing and emerging trends and markets.
Live DJs will keep the crowd entertained, with appearances from Tom Findlay (of Groove Armada fame), Don Letts, and BBC Introducing’s Jaguar Bingham.
BeerX
When: 13 to 14 March
Where: ACC Exhibition Centre, Liverpool
How much: Delegate tickets cost £31, and can be purchased here. Brewers can also pre-register for complimentary access to both days.
The annual event funded by the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) is open to all members of the brewing industry.
Colin Stronge of Northern Monk brewery says the event is “a chance for those who can’t always make it south to interact with suppliers, put faces to names and have a get together with people in the industry that we don’t often see,” in a testimonial on the BeerX website.
“It is also a chance to try beer from some breweries that we may not see around so often and celebrate the diversity and quality of the UK brewing scene.”
Exhibitors range from cask and keg manufacturers and bottle suppliers, to high profile UK brewers and SIBA execs. Alongside workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions, BeerX will also host SIBA’s 2019 AGM.
Liverpool Craft Beer Expo
When: 27 to 30 June
Where: Invisible Wind Factory, 3 Regent Road, Liverpool
How much: Tickets start from £10.50, and can be purchased here.
Of course if you are based up north but you’re not a brewer, there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved with the UK’s craft scene. Little is known about the exhibitors just yet, although last week the event team confirmed on Twitter that leeds-based brewery Northern Monk will be in attendance.
Great British Beer Festival
When: 6 August to 10 August
Where: Kensington Olympia, London
How much: TBC, find out more here.
Hosted by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and run by volunteers, the Great British Beer Festival is one of the UK’s biggest events dedicated to the world of beer. Hundreds of breweries large and small gather from across the country to showcase their products.
Last year, CAMRA cottoned on to the growth of low alcohol beers and welcomed an alcohol-free beer range for the very first time from Dutch-based craft brewer Braxzz.
London Craft Beer Festival
When: 9 August to 11 August
Where: Tobacco Dock, London
How much: Tickets currently start at £45, and can be purchased here.
Last year’s festival saw more than 65 breweries showcasing their wares to London beer fans, ranging from independents to larger companies like Brewdog and Fuller’s. This year, hundreds are expected to take part.