History of Stratford-upon-Avon Beer & Cider Festival

2023:

Our 15th festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 30th June & 1st July. Theme: All Beers for All Seasons. Another successful festival with around 1,000 visitors over the Friday and Saturday. Beer of the festival was Thornbridge Crackendale and the cider of the festival was Newton Court Gasping Goose.

See Beer Festival 2023 for gallery

SBCF Beer List 2023 v4
SBCF Cider List 2023

2022:

Our 14th festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 24 & 25 June. Theme: The Shires. With over 1,100 visitors over the Friday and Saturday it again proved to be a very successful event for all concerned. Beer of the festival, which was voted for by all those who attend, was Tiny Rebel Peloton Pale closely followed by the same brewery's Carrot Milkshake IPA and Thornbridge Crackendale.

Beer List 2022
Cider & Perry List 2022

2021:

Again a festival could not take place due to Government guidance and CAMRA advice due to the ongoing the Covid-19 pandemic.

2020:

The festival planned for 5th and 6th June 2020 at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

2019:

Our 13th festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 21 & 22 June. Theme: Coast 2 Coast. As for voted for by you, the most popular beer of the festival was Tiny Rebel Stay Puft Oreo (also one of the first few to sell out). The cider of the festival was Hogan's French Revelation.

Beer List 2019 Final
Cider & Perry 2019 Draft

2018:

Our 12th festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 6 & 7 July. Approx. 1,100 visitors. 75 real ales (plus 36 ciders and perries). The 'official' opening of the festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Bard himself (Paul Workman) and a cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice which was received from the 2017 event. The Shakespeare Hospice stall activities raised over £1,500 during the 2017 festival.

Beer List 2018 Final
Cider & Perry List 2018 V2

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2017:

Our 11th festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 7 & 8 July. Approx. 1250 visitors. The 'official' opening of the 2017 festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and a cheque for £527 was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice which was received from the 2016 event. The Shakespeare Hospice stall activities raised over £1,000 during the 2016 festival.

Beer List 2017 Final
Cider & Perry List 2017 Final

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2016:

Our 10th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 10 & 11 June. Approx. 1,450 visitors. 73 real ales (plus 36 ciders and perries) Theme: Wales, The West & The Best. The 'official' opening of the 2016 festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and a cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £510 which was received from the 2015 event. The Shakespeare Hospice stall activities raised over £1,000 during the 2016 festival. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Gower Power. Visitors voted 'Cider of the Festival' as Wilson's Cuckoo Spit.

Beer List 2016
Cider & Perry List 2016

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2015:

Our 9th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 12 & 13 June. Approx. 1,400 visitors. 75 real ales (plus 38 ciders and perries). Theme: War of the Roses. The 'official' opening of the 2015 festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and a cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £574 which was received from the 2014 event. The Shakespeare Hospice stall activities raised just over £1,291 during the 2015 festival. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Marble Earl Grey IPA. Visitors voted 'Cider of the Festival' as Wilson's Cuckoo Spit.

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2014:

Our 8th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 13 & 14 June. Approx. 1,500 visitors. 72 real ales (plus 37 ciders and perries) Theme: Shakespeare's Favourites The 'official' opening of the 2014 festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and a cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £600 which was received from the 2013 event The Shakespeare Hospice tombola stall raised £375 during the 2014 festival Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Exmoor Beast Visitors voted 'Cider of the Festival' as Lily The Pink

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2013:

Our 7th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 14 & 15 June. Approx. 1,400 visitors. 58 real ales (plus 25 ciders and perries). Theme: Four Corners & Local. The 'official' opening of the 2013 festival took place on the Friday afternoon by the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon and a cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £500 which was received from the 2012 event. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Milk Stout from the Bristol Beer Factory.

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2012:

Our 6th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 8 & 9 June. Approx. 1,016 visitors. 59 real ales (plus 20 ciders and perries). Theme: Local and Coastal. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Tally Ho! from Palmers brewery.

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2011:

Our 5th festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 24 & 25 June. Approx 1,000 visitors. 55 real ales (plus 16 ciders and perries). Theme: Middle England and the Celts. A cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £600. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Ian's Pale Ale from the Purple Moose brewery.

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2010:

Our 4th festival Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, on 18 & 19 June. Approx. 1,200 visitors 52 real ales (plus 19 ciders and perries). Theme: East meets West Midlands. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Kipling from the Thornbridge brewery.

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2009:

Our 3rd festival at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse. Approx 1,100 visitors. 51 real ales (plus 14 ciders and perries). Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Dr Morton's Mule Cooler from the Abbeydale brewery.

2008:

Our 2nd festival at the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse. Approx. 1,000 visitors. 55 real ales (plus 13 ciders and perries). A cheque was presented to The Shakespeare Hospice for £200. Visitors voted 'Beer of the Festival' as Williams Bros Roisin

2007:

Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse. 1st Beer & Cider Festival. John Ross, Festival Organiser, said: "We are delighted to be able to create an excellent opportunity for local people to sample the best of brewing and cider making in the area. We expect this to be well attended and to be the first of many festivals." 40 real ales (plus ciders and perries).