Split, Croatia – One of the region’s most anticipated craft beer events, the SMASH Split Beer Fest, returns on Saturday, 17 May 2025, at Plan B pub in Split, bringing together top brewers, beer enthusiasts, and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
The festival, which kicks off at 5 PM, will also host the fifth international SMASH homebrew competition, showcasing the creativity and skill of over 20 homebrewers from across Croatia. This year’s edition is organised by local craft beer advocates Ivana, Diano, Pave, and Riža.
Festival Highlights
Attendees can look forward to:
- Over 40 craft beers from 18 professional breweries
- Live DJ performances by the KLFM radio crew
- Interactive games and entertainment from Planet Zabave
- A community-focused experience centered on beer appreciation and sustainability
To participate, visitors must purchase a specially designed SMASH tasting glass, which serves as both an entry ticket and a souvenir. The glass costs €30 and includes unlimited beer tastings along with a food voucher for a Plan B burger or mini pizza. Only 300 glasses are available, and they will be sold exclusively at the entrance on the day of the event.
“For the third consecutive year, we’re using real glassware,” said co-organiser Ivana. “It preserves the flavour and aroma of the beer and aligns with our sustainability goals by reducing plastic waste.”
Breweries and Homebrewers Take Center Stage
In addition to seasoned brewers, more than 20 homebrewers will be on hand to serve their own creations and share insights with visitors. The list of participating breweries includes:
- Bevog, Big Joseph, Brewville, Brlog, Familia, Garden Brewery, Hvar Brewing Co., Kings Brew, Mandrill, Maskeron, Medvedgrad, Mlinarica, Nova Runda, Prostor, Pulfer, Reset, Saperlot, TapB, and Zmajska Pivovara.
“We’ve assembled a lineup that caters to every beer enthusiast, from casual drinkers to seasoned connoisseurs,” said Diano, one of the organisers.
While beer is the star of the show, a full selection of other beverages will be available at the Plan B bar, though these are not included in the festival glass price.
SMASH Homebrew Competition
The SMASH (Single Malt And Single Hop) competition has hit full capacity this year with 110 entries. Contestants were challenged to brew with just one malt and one hop, submitting their creations in two categories:
- 28D – Straight Sour Beer
- 21A – American IPA
Judging will take place in the morning, with an award ceremony scheduled for 9 PM. Beers will be evaluated by certified judges trained under the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP).
The grand prize is a Brewtools homebrewing system valued at €1,500, with additional prizes provided by a robust list of sponsors including Brewtools, WHC Lab, Yakima Valley Hops, Lallemand Brewing, Inkbird, Weyermann Malts, and many others.
A Celebration of Craft and Community
Running from 5 PM to 11 PM, SMASH Split Beer Fest 2025 promises a dynamic celebration of beer culture, music, and local creativity. With its diverse beer offerings, passionate brewers, and immersive entertainment, the event continues to grow as a signature gathering for the Croatian craft beer scene.
For anyone passionate about craft beer and vibrant community experiences, SMASH Split Beer Fest 2025 stands out as a must-attend event this spring.
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