The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) opens its doors to visitors this week returning to London’s Olympia stadium from 1-5 August. But what should you expect?
GBBF, now in its 46th year, will feature more than 700 different beers from both the UK and beyond.
Attendees can try some of the best beers this country has to offer in cask, keg and bottle, across a range of traditional and contemporary styles and flavours.
Festivalgoers can also sample American cask beer specially imported from the US, as well as European beers hailing from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Additionally, real cider and perry are also celebrated at the festival, with a dedicated bar showcasing an assortment of sweet and dry styles to satisfy all palates.
The festival will also boast a wide range of street foods to suit all dietary requirements and tastes, with various soft drinks and coffee for those wanting a break from alcoholic beverages.
For the first time since 2019, CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain competition is also set to return to GBBF after a hiatus due to the pandemic.
The competition runs over a two-year calendar and is the culmination of thousands of CAMRA members voting for their favourite beers across 12 beer styles each Autumn. The final round of judging and the announcement of the overall winners will take place today (1 August).
Beer fans can also learn something new at the festival’s educational Discovery Bar. All week, a programme of informal brewer and cider maker led tastings, including an introduction to barrel-ageing, as well as a live homebrew demonstration, will help visitors learn more about the ingredients, techniques and people behind their favourite drinks.
Throughout the week, industry experts and beer sommeliers will also be running a schedule of beer tastings to help you learn more about what goes into making Britain’s best beers. There will also be some beer and food pairings as well as an introduction to beer judging to show attendees how to taste beer like a professional.
Guests can also enjoy the festival’s entertainment schedule and attend the festival auction, where collectors, enthusiasts, and connoisseurs gather to celebrate the history of brewing. There is also set to be live performances from a string quartet, rock artists and a full brass band.
GBBF organiser Catherine Tonry said: “We’re incredibly excited for the Great British Beer Festival this year, and the return of the Champion Beer of Britain award. We look forward to inviting beer lovers from across the UK to London to sample some of the best beers in the country. Come and experience the natural magic of grain to glass, while enjoying delicious street food and our incredible selection of only the finest beers, ciders and perries.”
CAMRA highlighted how GBBF wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of dedicated volunteers from across the country who converge on London to organise the best beer show in the country. Nearly a thousand volunteers take part in the event on behalf of CAMRA and all festival proceeds go directly back into the group’s campaigning activity.
