It is a firm favourite among beer and cider lovers across Swansea and beyond, and now its set to finally return after a four year absence. The last time we saw Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival was back in 2019, but now its organisers have announced it will return to the Brangwyn Hall on August 31.
The festival will run for three days until September 2, and there will be more than 100 beers and more than 50 ciders to try. These will include a large selection of Welsh beers, including bitters, golden and blonde ales, pale ales, milds, porters and stouts, along with speciality beers.
All those who attend will get to take a commemorative half-pint glass home with them, and they will be able to speak to knowledgeable volunteers to tell them all about their chosen tipples. There will also be on-stage entertainment across all three days. Get Swansea stories straight to your inbox with our newsletter.
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Admission is £7 for non CAMRA members and £5 for CAMRA members. Tickets can be bought in advance for each of the three days online by clicking here, as well as at the door. The price of admission includes a programme and a souvenir half pint glass. The first £5 worth of tokens will also be sold with the admission tickets at the door, so people attending are advised to have £12 or £10 ready if they intend on paying cash.
The opening times are as follows: Thursday, August 31 - 5pm until 11pm, Friday, September 1 - noon until 11pm, Saturday, September 2 - noon until 11pm. The last admission is 10pm. Card and cash will be accepted on the door and at the tokens desk. The event is for those aged 18 and over only.
Co-organiser Aaron Todd, 29, said: “It’s been a long time since our last festival, with three years away, but we’re delighted to be back up and running once again for 2023. Everything you remember and love from previous festivals will be there, a commemorative half pint glass, a huge variety of beers and ciders, and our knowledgeable volunteers to guide you to your chosen tipple. We’ve got some great sponsors of the event too, including headline sponsors Gower Brewery and Mumbles Brewery. We can’t wait to see you there.”
Fellow co-organiser Chris Freestone, 28, added: “If that wasn’t enough, entertainment is also included as part of the ticket price with live music in the afternoons and evenings. There will be beers from all over the UK with as well as a large selection of Welsh beers, meaning you can taste the best from around the nation, including bitters, strong bitters and barley wines, golden and blond ales, pale ales, milds, porters and stouts, and speciality beers including lagers, wheat beers, fruit beers, gingers beers and sours. There really will be something for everyone – whatever your taste in beer or cider."
A statement from one of the festival's headline sponsors, Gower Brewery read: "We are delighted to see the return of such a brilliant celebration of the best beers around! With such an incredibly diverse selection of brews to choose from, you'll want to spend every minute of your weekend here with us.
"You'll be able to find Gower Gold at this year's event; our much loved and award-winning golden ale. This flagship beer is the taste of your time spent with us on Gower. The flavour of holidays, weddings and sunset moments, our golden ale pairs perfectly with every Gower moment, no matter the season. Brewed since December 2011, it's a thirst quenching golden ale with refreshing citrus and melon flavours, topped off with the lovely aroma of cascade hops. We can't wait to share it with you at the festival!"
Joint headline sponsor Mumbles Brewery added: “Mumbles Brewery are delighted to be headlining this year’s Swansea Bay Beer and Cider Festival, offering our multi national aware winning range of craft ales. Established in 2011, our Welsh Mumbles Brewery is committed to producing quality real ale Welsh beer with a local flavour. Brewing is our life, beer is our water so don’t waste time drinking all kind of other things which won’t make your life better! Don’t miss the chance to taste our unique and delicious brews while enjoying the festival atmosphere!"
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