Derby beer festivals: Discover your new favourite pint at Suds & Soda's four day booze-up

A four-day beer festival in Derby is set to be a summer highlight for beer fans this month. 

Suds & Soda is a popular craft beer shop and tasting room in Derby city centre.

It is hosting its second beer festival running from Thursday, August 1, until Sunday, August 4, 2024. 

People can expect 25 different types of beverages including keg and cask, five bottle shares, and several ciders.

Derby World caught up with Lee, bar manager at Suds & Soda who gave us a sneak peek into what to expect.

Lee, 39, from Derby said: “Last year’s event was great, this one is going to be even better.”

This year’s event will also include an innovative bottle-share scheme, meaning customers can try more beers for less cost.

Lee said: “Unless you’re prepared to pay £30 to £50 for a bottle of beer, paying £6 or £7 to be part of the bottle share is the best way to try different beers.”

Editor’s note: In case you’re wondering why a bottle of beer would set you back more than a takeaway it’s because they are LARGE and in charge, the same size as a bottle of wine.

Anticipation is building for the beer festival, which is set to be a hit among local beer fans.

Beer festivals ‘bring people together’

We spoke to beer enthusiast Deepak from Derby who is excited about the upcoming festival. 

He said: “I’ve been to Suds quite a few times, it’s a chilled place to be and its beer offerings are always on point.

“I’m excited to hear about the beer range, it’s great that it is different from its usual tap offerings.

“It’s good to see beer festivals in the city. It brings people together, we can go along and enjoy different types of beer and sample drinks that we wouldn’t normally get the chance to try.”

Beer festivals are popular community events beloved up and down the country. On Instagram alone, the #BeerFest hashtag has been included in over 1 million social posts.

Simon Burch who is also a craft beer fan, is pleased to hear about the vast range of beer on offer.

He said: “Derby prides itself on being a Mecca for beer fans and its annual summer beer festival is very much missed, so it’s fantastic that Suds and Soda is organising its own event to bring beer fans into the city.

“The craft beer movement has brought so many new varieties and flavours to the UK’s beer pumps alongside the traditional real ales, so an event like this is a great chance to find out what the latest brews are on offer and maybe find a new favourite pint.”

Suds & Soda shared the full list of beers served as part of the beer festival, on social media.

Event organisers said: “This time we’ve worked with a host of different suppliers to bring you a range of beer and cider from across the UK, Europe and America.”

Highlights include Crafty Devil Pale Ale, Missing Link IPA, Buck Cider and RotHaus Lager.

The details

Suds & Soda Summer Beer Festival is a non-ticketed event. 

It will take place at 5pm, running on Thursday July 1 until Sunday August 4, 2024.

Location: Suds & Soda, Friary Works, 119 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1EX

For more information click here.