Events News - Beer Today

Dates are announced for FyneFest 2025

Darren — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:42:53 +0000

Fyne Ales has announced that its annual weekend of beer and music, FyneFest, will return next year from 30th May to 1st June.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Glen Fyne, this family-friendly festival brings together the best of the UK’s craft beer scene, eclectic live music, and outdoor adventure. Tickets will go on sale on Friday (1st November) at 9am.

At the heart of FyneFest are its bars, offering an impressive variety of drinks. The main bar will feature 64 beer lines, pouring beers from breweries such as Origins Brewing, Two By Two, Neon Raptor, Pilot, and Stenroth.

For those craving something a little more experimental, the new mixed fermentation Origins bar will showcase innovative brews and host the Pellicle magazine beer panels.

If you’re in the mood for something international, head to the Mixtape Lounge, where Yakima Chief Hops will be serving up beers from abroad. And for more variety, there’s the cider bar, wine and spirits bar, or cocktail bar.

As well as a full music programme, there will be plenty of activities, including yoga and the always-popular charity run. For a more relaxed experience, head to the Walkers Bar, a perfect retreat after a day of exploring the gorgeous Glen Fyne landscape.

Known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere, FyneFest is both family- and dog-friendly. For more information and to book, visit fynefest.com or email tickets@fyneales.com.

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Edinburgh’s Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival returns

Darren — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:21:31 +0000

Edinburgh’s Cold Town House is to host a beer festival in the city’s Grassmarket on Saturday, 9th November, celebrating Scotland’s independent craft beer scene.

Planning the next Grassmarket festival are, left to right: Delaney Seven (sales manager, Strangers Brewing), Hayley Ransome (head Brewer, Cold Town Brewery), Lucy Stevens (founder and head brewer, Closet Brewing), Lizzie Stevens (founder and head of communications, Closet Brewing), and Hannah Ferris (sales and account manager, Campervan)

The event follows a successful inaugural beer festival in May, and will run from noon until 6pm.

Nine Scottish craft breweries will be showcasing their finest seasonal and often darker brews, including Edinburgh’s Campervan, Closet Brewing, and Vault City.

From further afield, there will be Glasgow’s Up Front Brewing and Dookit Brewing, Dundee’s 71 Brewing, Aberdeen’s Fierce Beer, and Linlithgow’s Strangers Brewing.

Cold Town Beer and Fierce Beer will be launching their new collaborative brew, Smoked Session Stout, coming in at 4.8% ABV.

The festival will give people the opportunity to get a close-up view of Cold Town’s microbrewery and meet head brewer, Hayley Ransome, between noon and 2pm.

As well as beer there will be street food, and a programme of music performances.

Hayley Ransome in the brewhouse at Cold Town

“After the smashing success of our first event earlier this year, the Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival is back for round two!” said Hayley.

“This time, we’re bringing you a more intimate experience, with local breweries showcasing the finest of their seasonal brews, whilst accompanied by some cosy, autumnal acoustic sets by local musicians.

“Since opening our doors in 2019, Cold Town House has quickly made its name as the home of Cold Town Beer, as well as one of Scotland’s most popular craft beer bars and live entertainment venues. We’re really proud to have our very own taproom and iconic roof terrace with stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.”

She added: “At our inaugural festival in May, we saw around 250 craft beer lovers descend on Cold Town House to experience some of the best brews being produced by Scotland’s craft beer industry right now.

“The Grassmarket is the original home of craft brewing in Edinburgh, dating back to the 18th century, so we’re determined to celebrate that heritage, as well as introducing some fresh and innovative creations for today’s craft beer drinker.”

Tickets can be purchased at £10 per person and include entry to the event, a commemorative glass, and a half-pint token. Find out more and book here.

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Norwich Beer Festival guide is published

Darren — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 13:18:51 +0000

A guide has been published for this year’s Norwich Beer Festival, which this time around is leaving its usual venue and taking venues all around the city.

Norwich Beer Festival for Charity, as this year’s venture is known, takes place from 24th October until 3rd November.

As the name suggests, it’s being run for charity. The pubs and breweries taking part can choose which charities receive the proceeds from the events they hold, so many charities will benefit.

Read Beer Today’s event preview here, and download the guide and map here.

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Preview: Women in Beer Festival, Edinburgh

Darren — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 05:41:53 +0000

The third bi-annual Women in Beer Festival kicks off next Wednesday (23rd October) showcasing the brilliant women who work in and lead the beer industry, as well as celebrating those who enjoy a good pint.

Taking place in pubs and bars across Edinburgh, the festival will showcase women brewers from eight breweries. There will also be a self-guided Women in Beer pub crawl, and the launch of four special collaboration beers.

The festival launches with a party co-hosted with festival partner Cold Town House. Women brewers from Canterbury’s Hand Brew Co and Edinburgh’s Cold Town Beer will be on hand for a meet the brewer event. They will also launch the first of Women in Beer’s special festival beers, Hawaiian Topic, a coconut porter brewed in-house with head brewer Halyey Ransome. There will be music from Wendy McAuslan.

There are more opportunities to meet the brewers on Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Nia Rylance from regenerative farming-focused Ideal Day Family Brewery (Cornwall) and Elizabeth Townsend from Manx micro-brewery Kerroo Brewing (Isle of Man) will host a tap takeover at the Jolly Judge to highlight heritage and sustainability in craft beer.

Then, on Friday, Emily Hutchinson from Bluestone Brewing (Pembrokeshire) and Lara Lopes from Round Corner Brewing (Melton Mowbray) will take up residence at Dreadnought Leith to showcase their sustainable brews.

Saturday sees Women in Beer’s Big Meet Up taking place, inviting women who enjoy beer and their allies to share a pint together. Taking place at the Stockbridge Tap, this will also see the launch of the remaining three festival beers: Cult of Arduinna, a mixed fermentation sour from Dundee’s Holy Goat Brewing; No Quarter, a non-alcoholic pacific pale from Scotland’s only alcohol-free brewery Jump Ship; and Rising Waves, a West Coast DIPA from Round Corner Brewing.

On Sunday, the festival will come to a close with a Craft & Craft event, co-hosted with local crafting group Stitches & B—hes Edinburgh. This will take place at the newly opened False Widow, on Constitution Street. There will be an Edinburgh beer showcase and meet the brewer event with Lilith Harrison-Rooke from Newbarns Brewery and Lucy and Lizzie Stevens from Closet Brewing.

Women in Beer will also host an industry event on Friday, with sensory training hosted by Lallemand Brewing, and a Crisp Malt industry seminar with talks and panel discussions.

In addition to the main festival programme, venues across Edinburgh will join in highlighting the efforts of women in the beer industry by pouring a selection of beer brewed or from a brewery led by women across the festival dates. Programme information, tickets to industry events, and a festival map are available here.

Amélie Tassin, founder of Women in Beer, said: “Visibility is so important and I believe that the more we shout out about women in the industry, the more we’ll help redress the gender balance.

“We want to create role models for women who wouldn’t have thought beer was for them. We do this by bringing our talented guests to our events and seminars, and giving women the opportunity to connect. And this year’s addition of Chaser Venues will help us share the word even louder.”

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Joseph Holt hosts a beer festival for the first time

Darren — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 17:37:54 +0000

Joseph Holt — celebrating their 175th anniversary this year — have held a beer festival at their Manchester brewery for the first time ever.

It proved a tremendous success, with visitors travelling from far and wide. More than 60 different cask ales were available, and Bitter was served from an oak cask for the first time in 50 years.

“This was the first time we have held a beer festival on brewery premises, and we were thrilled with the number of people who wanted to get a behind the scenes view of how we make our famous beers and ales,” said Andrew Kershaw, who arranged the festival.

“Our beautiful Victorian brewery lent itself so well to the day, with some amazing and authentic spaces for people to gather in.”

The company, which has been in the same family for six generations, held the festival to celebrate the business’s 175th anniversary.

The brewery was set up in Manchester in 1849 by weaver’s son Joseph Holt, who began brewing beer at Oak Street before moving to the Ducie Bridge Brewery on York Street (now Cheetham Hill Road) in 1860. Joseph Holt then took out a 999-year lease on a piece of land on Empire Street, from where the company still operates today and where the festival was held.

As well as enjoying tours around the brewery, festival-goers were also able to try a full range of Joseph Holt beers, which included festival specials alongside core ales. There were also beers from other UK breweries, including Beartown, Runaway, Harvey’s, Palmers Brewery, and St Austell.

Andrew, a sixth-generation member of the Joseph Holt family to work at the brewery, said: “Our customers usually enjoy our beers in front of the bar, but given this was such a special anniversary for us, we wanted people to peek behind the scenes, too.

“There is so much affection and loyalty for Joseph Holt, in terms of the beer we brew as well as our heritage, culture, and our place in the rich history of Manchester and the North. And it’s an affection that transcends geography, given that people came from near and far.

“There’s clearly a thirst for future events like this, and we look forward to one day opening the doors to our brewery again, to celebrate our past and look towards an even greater future.”

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It’s Lou-Lapalooza at the Driftwood Spars

Darren — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:07:44 +0000

The Driftwood Spars, at Trevaunance Cove, Cornwall, is gearing up to host its annual autumn beer and music gathering, from 25th-27th October.

Named Lou-Lapalooza this year, in honour of landlady Louise Treseder, entry to the mini-festival is free, for all to come and go as they please.

The main bar will be complemented by a guest beer bar featuring in-house brews and a curated selection from other local brewers, including Harbour, Atlantic, Pipeline, Bluntrock, Firebrand, and Mason.

“We’ll have a cask of Polberro, our green-hopped beer made with local wild hops, as well as a fresh batch of Irish Stout, which has been going down extremely well,” said head brewer Tim Lawrence.

“Also, Lou and I got together and brewed a 9% Belgian tripel specially for the occasion, which all festival-goers should definitely try!”

As well as beer, there will be a full programme of music over the weekend, as well as food from chef Tom Bennetts and his team.

The event is billed as (possibly!) Louise’s last beer festival at the pub, which is currently looking for a loving new owner. It’s the perfect opportunity to come and raise a glass with a legendary landlady who will be sorely missed when the time comes.

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Charity beer run crosses Wimbledon Common

Darren — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:46:25 +0000

Funds have been raised for children’s charity Street Child with a race billed as the ‘ultimate London beer run’, which took place on Wimbledon Common.

Photograph: Adam Dickens/Street Child

Street Child is dedicated to supporting access to education in countries affected by poverty, war, and environmental disasters.

The Craft Half fundraising run brought more than 140 runners of all abilities together. Two events — a 10km race and a half marathon — ran through scenic trail routes, with runners stopping every two miles to drink half-pints of Local’s refreshing plant-based craft beer.

The race raised thousands of pounds, which will help to build classrooms, train teachers, and provide school equipment in some of the world’s poorest countries, including Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

“Every step taken in the Craft Half directly contributes to our work transforming the lives of children around the world,” said Tom Dannatt, chief executive and founder of Street Child.

“Funds raised help us provide essential resources, including school supplies, teacher training, and safe learning environments for children in need.”

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Fierce Beer announces 2025 Aberdeen Beer Festival

Darren — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 11:09:19 +0000

Fierce Beer have announced that they will be hosting the inaugural Aberdeen Beer Festival, at the city’s Music Hall, on 12th April next year.

Fierce and 12 guest breweries will be showcasing fan favourites from their respective ranges. There will be two sessions, from 12.30pm to 5pm, then from 6pm to 10.30pm.

Upon arrival, ticket holders will be issued with a programme and glass, and are then free to explore and discover each of the pop-up bars on offer and speak with the brewers directly.

As well as the guest breweries, there will be some surprises from outside the UK, a Fierce & Friends bar pouring a curated selection of beer from around the country, and some non-beer producers.

Aberdeen’s best craft beer showcase

Established in 2016, Fierce has grown rapidly to become one of the top five craft breweries in Scotland, and has a UK-wide reputation for producing some of the best beers in the country.

“We’re so grateful to be hosting our home town’s beer festival and inviting some of our best friends in the business,” said founder and managing director Dave Grant.

“We’re confident this will be the best showcase of craft beer that Aberdeen has ever seen. Of course, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our extended Fierce family, so I’d like to thank you all and hope to see a bunch of you there!”

Tickets are live now at a special early bird price and can be purchased here.

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Three breweries share top six SIBA North West awards

Darren — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 10:23:09 +0000

The top six honours at the SIBA North West Independent Beer Awards have gone to just three breweries — Bank Top, in Bolton, Black Edge, in Horwich, and RedWillow, in Macclesfield.

Neil Walker (right), head of communications and marketing at SIBA, with the award winners

Bank Top Brewery took home the overall gold and silver in the cask competition having also won across a number of styles categories. Black Edge took overall gold in the separate keg beer awards.

RedWillow were just edged out of the overall gold medal spots, but took home the biggest medal haul, with an overall silver in cask and an overall silver and bronze in keg.

But top of the cask table was Bank Top’s flagship Flat Cap, a traditional English bitter and a beer with a fierce local following, but which has only recently begun to be appreciated more by judges in beer competitions.

“Flat Cap is our best-selling beer, our most famous beer, but it hasn’t won that many awards before,” said brewery general manager, Claire Kirkman. “But is just absolutely on form at the minute.

“It’s absolutely amazing to win, especially as we’ve just lost one of our brewers, who has left to pastures new. So, to know that we’re brewing great beer with Ben and the new team is really great.”

The overall keg gold went to Black Edge Brewery’s 99 Red Balloons, a strawberry Berliner weisse sour beer developed as part of a new more experimental range of keg beers.

Founder and director, Wayne Roper, said: “Absolutely overwhelmed to win the keg award as we’ve been working really hard to get the keg beers going for the last 12 months, especially something a little bit different like this sour beer, which is more specialist.

“Lots of sour beers are made using flavourings rather than natural fruit, but by using real fruit and adding that fruit at the right time we can add sourness but also increase the body and flavour of the beer. It’s a beer that’s proved really popular with a huge range of drinkers who might not usually go for beer.”

High-calibre beers

The awards took place ahead of the Bolton Beer Festival at the Toughsheet Bolton Stadium, which continues today and over the weekend.

Hosting the awards on behalf of SIBA was Neil Walker, head of communications and marketing. He said: “Our most experienced judges join our final table, where all of the category winners are pitted against one another to try and claim the overall gold, silver, and bronze awards.

“Comments from the judges this year were that this was perhaps the highest calibre of beers they’ve ever had at these awards. Huge congratulations to all of the winners and especially to the three breweries who bagged the top spots in the overall category, which is judged completely blind and really is the very best of the best.”

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Six guest brewers at Tap Social’s Winter Beer Bash

Darren — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 19:34:42 +0000

Oxford craft brewery, bakery and social enterprise Tap Social Movement has announced a date for its Winter Beer Bash.

The event will be staged at the brewer’s Curtis industrial Estate taproom in west Oxford on 30th November, from 2pm-11pm.

Sponsored by NFU Mutual Witney, the Winter Beer Bash sees six guest breweries joining Tap Social, each with their representatives in attendance. They are:

DEYA Brewing Co (Cheltenham)
Earth Ale (Oxford)
Indie Rabble Brewing Co (Windsor)
Phantom Brewing Co (Reading)
Siren Craft Brew (Finchampstead)
Two Flints Brewery (Windsor)

Tickets (available here) include: a exclusive festival glass; live jazz in the afternoon, DJs in the evening; food; and “a few festive surprises”.

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