Barcelona Beer Festival returns in December
After the dramatic cancellation in 2020, as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19 and the imminent lockdown, the Barcelona Beer Festival will take place in 2021. Spain’s longest-running beer festival returns from December 17 to 19 at its classic venue, La Farga de l’Hospitalet in Barcelona.
This new edition promises jaw-dropping numbers for beer lovers: 160 rotating taps, 250 brands and 575 different beers to enjoy over three days. In addition, the organizers anticipate that live music, gastronomy and cultural activities will also play a starring role. Tickets are already on sale from €7, including the official event glass, two tokens and the beer map of the city of Barcelona.
“The event will give a prominent role to the new breweries that emerged during the pandemic, to nomadic brewers with cutting-edge projects, to emerging international styles, and to those unique and exclusive beers making their debut at the BBF,” explain the organizers Beer Events.
Barcelona Beer Festival is committed to highlighting new nomadic brewers, and has therefore managed to attract several interesting projects whose creations can be tasted at the festival: Animus Brewing (Barcelona), FlyBrew (Barcelona), Newaza Beer (L’Hospitalet de Llobregat) and Random Brewery (Vallgorguina), among others.
Sour beers, the result of mixed fermentation, are also particularly important. In this regard, there will be rotating small-format beer tastings where brewers will share their experiences and know-how with attendees. Of course, there will also be the well-known “meet the brewer” sessions, a format where you can taste the beer alongside its creator.
In addition, the schedule includes other activities such as masterclasses, round tables and high‑level workshops, like the one given by Ludmil Fotev, an international judge of Bulgarian origin, who will devote a session to Bulgarian beers and those from other Eastern European countries.
It’s also worth highlighting the Italian Grappe Ale style as one of the stars of this edition, since this hybrid wine‑beer style (made by adding grape must) will be well represented among Italian producers.
As for which beers we’ll be able to taste, the organizers warn that there will be unique and exclusive offerings “because many breweries save their best potion to premiere it at the BBF. This time, moreover, since the pandemic has kept them in limbo, you’ll be able to enjoy real gems, brews that have been able to rest and are at their best, since usually the pace of production/sales doesn’t allow beers to be kept for a long time.”
Although there are still many surprises to be revealed, this first post-pandemic BBF promises to be a major event for the curious and for beer lovers.
