FOR local craft brewers, getting beer out to those who want to drink it isn’t as easy as you might think. For a start, pubs can often prove the trickiest places to pour their brews, which is kind of ironic when you think that many are crammed full of beers brewed in England and further afield.
Of course, the chances of a brewer having their beer served in a pub two or three miles away from their brewery are almost impossible if that pub is tied to one of the large drinks companies who frown on independence.
That’s one of the reasons why the Northern Ireland branch of CAMRA started up their Belfast Beer and Cider Festival more than a quarter of a century ago. Back then, Hilden were really the only local brewery around, but that has changed over the years and the craft beer scene is among the most vibrant and varied anywhere in Ireland or Britain.
However, the problems of getting that great beer out there in sufficient volumes remains. Festivals such as ABV Fest, which wound up at the end of last year, much to the sadness of its loyal followers, were great opportunities to showcase great beer.
There’s no doubt that ABV will be missed, but its lasting legacy will perhaps be that it has inspired others not to wait around for someone to come knocking and instead be pro-active in promoting their beer.
Last year saw first ever taprooms for the likes of Beer Hut and Bullhouse while Mourne Mountains dipped their toes into the wonderful world of taprooms just last week. Of course, Boundary have been holding taprooms on a regular basis and Knockout and Farmegeddon are also trying the more direct approach these days too.
And there will be more chances for local beer lovers to relieve some hard-working brewers of their finely crafted wares in the coming months.
First up is the aforementioned Belfast Beer and Cider Festival hosted by CAMRA NI, which was forced into a brief hiatus last year due to venue difficulties. It returns from May 6 to 9 and will this year take place in Botanic Gardens.
A week later, on May 15 and 16, Boundary are celebrating their fifth birthday with a special festival called Jubilate. It will take place at the Portview Trade Centre on the Newtownards Road in Belfast and will feature brewers from across Ireland and Britain.
For more details on both festivals check out belfastbeerfestival.co.uk and boundaryjubilate.com
