Beer lovers set to enjoy hundreds of beers and ciders from Britain and abroad as national festival begins in Birmingham
It's set to be a bumper week for lovers of beer, cider and ale as the nation's biggest beer festival returns to the region for the first time in four decades.
The Great British Beer Festival returns to the West Midlands for the first time since 1983 as The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) flagship event takes over the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday to Saturday,
As the festival gets underway, we've taken a look at everything you need to need to know about the event and what you can expect from walking into the hall at the NEC.
What is the Great British Beer Festival?
Now in its 47th year, the popular festival is dedicated to celebrating the best of UK brewing and beyond, with visitors able to pick from hundreds of beers from an array of different breweries.
It has been taking place at Earls Court and other locations in London, but after a hiatus in 2024, it has returned to the NEC this year, taking place in Halls 1 and 2.
What days is the festival running?
It starts on Tuesday, August 5 at 12pm for trade and 5pm for public and end on Saturday, August 9 at 7pm.
The hours open each day are as follows:
Tuesday, August 5 from 12pm to 5pm (Trade Session), 5pm to 10.30pm (Public Session)
Wednesday, August 6 to Friday, August 8 from 12pm to 10.30pm
Saturday, August 9 from 12pm to 7pm.
Last admission will be 40 minutes before closing and all bars will close 30 minutes before closing.
How much are tickets and what comes with the ticket price?
Tickets are available to buy on the door of the event if it isn’t sold out; however, booking ahead on the website is advised to avoid missing out.
Here are the ticket options and prices:
General admission - £9.50 to £16
General admission (CAMRA members) - £6, plus package ticket - £40
Group ticket (five for the price of four) - £38 to £64
Season ticket - £42
All ticketholders who buy a group ticket will each receive a souvenir festival glass.
There will be no refunds for festival glasses at this event, but organisers have said that people are welcome to take the glass home with them or leave it at one of the collection points at the end of their visit.
What is on offer for people to try at the festival?
Festivalgoers will also be treated to a plethora of entertainment, a range of quality food and pub-style games.
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 get up close and personal with ingredients at the Discovery Bar, which will have new guided tastings each day.
How can people pay at the event?
All bars at the festival will accept contactless payment or beer tokens.
Beer tokens can be purchased at the membership stand and the glasses stand using contactless or cash.
What’s on at the event?
Live auctions will take place along with a silent disco and several tribute acts performing.
Acts include Queen tribute Live Killers, Status Quo tribute Counterfeit Quo and Not the Rolling Stones.
CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Beer of Britain 2025 competition will also return, with the overall winners being announced on the first day of the festival, and the beers in each winning category will be available to try.
There will also be a wide range of food vendors offering different cuisines, snack and festival favourites. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be available.
What have the organisers said about the festival?
Festival Organiser Adam Gent said: “The return of the Great British Beer Festival is a cause for great celebration.
"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.”
