Derby craft beer festival promises ‘beery Eurovision’ line-up of acclaimed beers from the continent

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Breweries representing Norway, Romania, Latvia, Sweden and more, will all be in attendance

A craft beer festival has welcomed European brewers to their event and has promised it to be a fun ‘beery Eurovision’ line-up.

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Derby Beer Con will be held at Bustler Street Food Market on Friday September 15 and Saturday September 16.

Speaking about the broad range of beers on offer, co-founder of the festival Tom Ainsley said: “The fact that we’ve got breweries coming from all over Europe to Derby is a real coup for the city and shouldn’t be missed by anyone who enjoys a drink or two, whether that’s beer or not.

“We’ve seen some discourse about other beer festivals not having that much of a European offering, well thanks to Neon Raptor Brew Co and Distant Lands Beer we’ve got a lovely selection from Europe.

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“There’s plenty of non-beery options this year too and well behaved dogs are always welcome.”

Derby Beer Con is widely considered to be one of the few craft beer festivals in the Midlands.

It is run by Tom Ainsley and Josh Mellor who also started craft beer bar Suds & Soda on Friar Gate in 2016 and helped found, and now run, Neon Raptor Brewing Co in Nottingham.

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It will be a weekend packed with beer tastings galore on Friday September 15, from 4pm - 10pm and Saturday September 16, from 2pm - 9pm.

The organisers changed the format from last year by inviting more local, and European, breweries than usual.

Tom added: “This is genuinely the best beer lineup I’ve seen at a beer festival in the Midlands.

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“Although it’s not as big as the real ale festivals that Derby CAMRA used to run in the city, the vast array of styles on offer will be much broader and more interesting.

“Locally we have the likes of Pentrich, Black Iris, Little Brewing and Shiny.

“In what could be described as a ‘beery Eurovision’, we have breweries representing Norway, Romania, Latvia, Sweden and many more countries.

“Incredibly, De Struise are also joining us from Belgium.

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“We will also have the cream of the crop of UK craft breweries, many of whom are making their Beer Con debut, like Portsmouth’s MakeMake, and Tartarus from Leeds.

“Everyone will be bringing their best and most interesting creations.

“Expect big stouts, juicy IPAs, fruited sours, crisp lagers and everything else that falls under the very broad, beer umbrella.”

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There is something for non-beer drinkers too, for those who prefer a different kind of tipple.

There will be cider from Darley Abbey Cider, a gin bar run by Redsmith Gin from Nottingham, as well as wine, mead, cocktails, and soft drinks.

Food will be available to buy from the acclaimed Bustler Market so people can enjoy street-food cooked by some of the nation’s best chefs.

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Tom said: “The location at the Chocolate Factory, normally home to Bustler Market, is a perfect venue as there’s plenty of seating, ambient lighting, a big outdoor space, a great sound system, tasty food, and even arcade games!”

There will certainly be a party atmosphere and it could be a great event to kick back to, after work on Friday, or to chill out with friends on the Saturday session.

In addition to it being a fun event, beer fans can also squeeze in some educational conversation with some of the best brewers from the UK and Europe.

Beer will be poured from cask, keg, bottle, and can.

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The Derby Beer Con is a beer festival and is therefore an 18+ event.

Ticket prices start at £10 that includes a glass and the festival programme.

For more information about Derby Beer Con visit their website here.

Venue address: Bustler Street Food Market, The Chocolate Factory, John Street, Derby DE1 2QD

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