After its absence this year, CAMRA’s Great British Beer Festival will return in 2025 in a new venue in a new city — the NEC in Birmingham.
It will be the first time the campaign’s flagship event has been hosted in the West Midlands since 1983. The exhibition centre enjoys good rail and air links, which went in favour of its selection.
The event will celebrate the best of brewing in the UK and beyond. Visitors can look forward to trying hundreds of different beers, as well as visiting bars dedicated to real cider and perry. And cocktails, says the press release.
For those who want to learn more about their favourite drinks, there will be opportunities to connect with brewers like Thornbridge and Elusive Brewing, and to get up close and personal with ingredients on the educational Discovery Bar, which will have guided tastings each day.
The new-look festival has 15 launch partners:
- Thornbridge Brewery
- Greene King
- Harvey’s
- Siren Craft Brew
- Oakham
- Woodforde’s
- Batemans
- Ossett Brewery
- Brains
- Theakston
- The British Institute of Innkeepers
- The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates
- Cask Marque
- J D Wetherspoon
- Visit Birmingham (West Midlands Growth Corporation)
- Brewser
- Beer 52
CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain winner will be announced on the first day of the festival, and the beers in each winning category will be available to try.
In addition, the Caravan and Motorhome Club will be operating a temporary campsite at the NEC so attendees will be able to stay near the festival. Bookings can be made from today at camc.com/gbbfpopup.
“The return of the Great British Beer Festival is a cause for great celebration,” said organiser Adam Gent.
“I cannot wait to welcome beer and cider lovers from across the UK, and indeed the world, to the NEC Birmingham, where the festival promises to be better than ever before. Come and experience our incredible selection of the finest beers, ciders and perries, along with delicious food.”
Simon Webster, co-founder and chief executive of Thornbridge Brewery, said: “The Great British Beer Festival is a key part of the UK beer scene and we wanted to make sure we were there. We have continued to see the sales for our casks and bottle-conditioned beers grow and this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase these.”
Sara Leigh Webber, head of marketing at Brains, said: “Brains has partnered with the Great British Beer Festival 2025 as it provides an excellent platform to showcase our legendary brews to a wider audience, enhance our brand visibility, and align with one of the UK’s most prominent beer festivals.
“Sponsoring this event allows Brains to connect with beer enthusiasts, expand their influence beyond Wales, and reinforce their position as a significant player in the British beer industry. Additionally, it offers a prime opportunity to promote seasonal offerings and new collaborations planned for 2025, such as Skull Attack and other speciality beers.”
For further information and tickets, click here.
