A popular beer festival is making its return next year, heading to the West Midlands for the first time in over 30 years.

The Great British Beer Festival will descend on Birmingham from August 5 – August 9 2025.

After a brief hiatus this year, the flagship festival will be heading to the NEC.

For the 47th year, The Great British Beer Festival will celebrate the best of UK brewing and beyond, with a range of fantastic drinks all under one roof.

Visitors can look forward to trying hundreds of different beers as well as visit bars dedicated to real cider and perry, and cocktails. 

As well as enjoying a quality pint or two, festivalgoers can enjoy 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 educational Discovery Bar, which will host guided tastings each day.  

The Great British Beer Festival 2025 has collaborated with 15 launch partners to ensure the event is the best yet.

The partners are:

  • Thornbridge
  • Greene King
  • Harvey’s,
  • Siren Craft Brew
  • Oakham
  • Woodforde's
  • Batemans
  • Ossett Brewery
  • Brains and Theakston
  • Alongside these breweries
  • the British Institute of Innkeepers (BII)
  • the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA)
  • Cask Marque
  • JD Wetherspoon
  • Visit Birmingham (West Midlands Growth Corporation)
  • Brewser
  •  Beer 52

The Caravan and Motorhome Club will also be getting involved, operating a temporary campsite at the NEC Birmingham allowing the keenest of attendees to stay near to the festival. 

CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Beer of Britain competition will also return to the fest next year.

The overall winners will be announced on the first day and the beers in each winning category will be available to try throughout the festival.

Ian Taylor, managing director at the NEC, said: “We are thrilled to welcome The Great British Beer Festival to the NEC for the first time.

“As the UK’s leading venue for large-scale events, the NEC is the perfect setting for an iconic celebration of British beer and brewing heritage.

“We’re excited to host and look forward to providing an unforgettable experience for beer enthusiasts across the country." 

Festival Organiser Adam Gent added: “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.” 

 Tickets for the Great British Beer Festival 2025 are on sale now.