Bristol, UK — The Bristol Craft Beer Festival is set to return to Lloyds Amphitheatre from 13–14 June, bringing with it a celebration of a decade-long transformation in the UK’s craft beer scene. This year’s event will feature a curated selection of 300 beers from more than 50 breweries across Bristol, the wider South West region, and beyond.
Founded in 2015 at Motion nightclub, the festival has grown from a small gathering of beer enthusiasts into one of the country’s most prominent celebrations of independent brewing. Co-founder Greg Wells highlighted the significance of the festival’s tenth anniversary, describing it as a testament to the “craft beer revolution” that has reshaped the industry in Bristol and the UK over the past decade.
“It’s brilliant to have been a part of a decade of great beer in Bristol,” Wells told the BBC, noting how the city has become a hub for innovation and community in the sector.
Despite its growth and success, the journey has not been without obstacles. The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges for the craft beer industry, with Wells recalling the pressures of hosting a socially distanced version of the festival in September 2020. “We orchestrated a small sit-down event with space and rotation. It saved our sanity that year,” he said. Like many in the industry, the festival’s organisers faced financial strain, but Wells credited the resilience and support of the local community for helping the sector endure.
“There’s no doubt that, like everyone, we were a little bruised and battered and balance sheets in various states of disrepair. But Bristol supported it. I don’t think there’s any city in the UK that has the sense of community that Bristol does,” he added.
That community spirit continues to fuel the city’s beer scene. In a sign of ongoing growth, Bristol Beer Factory recently relocated to a modern, sustainable brewing facility to meet increasing demand.
This week’s festival will celebrate the industry’s endurance and resurgence, offering attendees not only an extensive beer selection but also a vibrant programme of street food and live music. While the event remains rooted in Bristol, it continues to draw visitors from across the region, including Bath, Taunton, Gloucester, Exeter, Plymouth, and South Wales.
“It’s something for Bristol, but also for the region,” said Wells, underscoring the festival’s role as both a local tradition and a regional attraction.
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