A new independent beer festival is coming to the second city this summer, celebrating the best of beer culture in the Midlands, and Birmingham’s place right at the heart of it.
The inaugural Lock & Key Midlands Beer Convention will be held at The Bond Company, in Digbeth, Birmingham, from Friday to Sunday, July 20 to 22. Tickets are available now.
The key team behind the event includes Birmingham bars Cherry Reds and The Wolf, and the Midlands Beer Blog, with support from a number of other Midlands businesses.
The festival will focus on local breweries, but also national favourites, hosting their own bars and running talks and free tastings. Local breweries confirmed so far include Burning Soul Brewing Co, Birmingham Brewing Co, DE14, Black Iris, Green Duck Beer Co, Neon Raptor, Twisted Barrel Ale, Fixed Wheel Brewery and GlassHouse Beer Co.
Pop-up bars from Midlands businesses such as The Wolf and The Pint Shop will bring beers from other popular breweries, some of whom will be attending for meet the brewer events.
Sallie McFadyen, from The Wolf, said: “If you’re a local brewer and would like us to find you a spot, send an e-mail to Lock & Key.”
Street food and crafts
Alongside a host of great breweries, Lock & Key will also showcase great street food from local vendors, including Original Patty Men and Warehouse Café, as well as local crafts, chocolates, ice cream and games.
Jen Nadin, from Cherry Reds, said: “Birmingham has a fast-growing number of breweries and craft beer bars being eagerly received by our diverse, beer loving, community. We’re here to celebrate everything that’s great about beer and give you a splendid day out.
“You can expect keg, cask, bottles, cans, street food, free pop-up tastings, barges, market stalls, brewers, discussion groups, and hopefully sunshine, all in a beautiful canal-side setting.”
Sessions will take place on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 4.30pm, and 5:30pm to 11pm, and on Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm. The Sunday session will be a family fun day, with parents of under-18s able to register for free child tickets on Eventbrite.
Bob Maxfield, of Midlands Beer Blog, said: “Sunday is our family day — kids come free and we’ll have games and plenty to distract them while you enjoy a few beers!”
To purchase tickets, or for further information, including how to volunteer or request Friday daytime trade tickets, visit www.lockandkeybeercon.co.uk
