Here is everything you need to know about Glasgow's West End Beer festival

Live near Glasgow? Love great beer? Here is everything you need to know about this year's West End Beer Festival.

Published 28th Jun 2017
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

We've teamed up with the Festival to offer our readers the chance to purchase some early bird tickets with our 20 per cent off code.

To get the discounted ticket price all you have to do is enter the code SCOTSFD online at event.bookitbee.com (expires Sunday 16th July).

What is the West End Beer Festival?

The West End beer festival is a celebration of local Glasgow breweries and Gyspy brewers, with a key focus on customer interaction.

Each of the producers sell their beers from their own bar, giving those who attend the chance to buy the ales, lagers, porters, IPAs and stouts directly from those who brew them.

Where is it?

The festival is returning to its usual home at Café Source Too at Hillhead Sports Club at 32 Hughenden Road, G12 9XP.

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveler

How do I get there?

Picture: Google

Located close to Great Western Road, Hyndland and Hyndland train station, Cafe Source Too is also just a 10 to 15 minute walk away from Byres Road and the underground there (perfect for a nice evening stroll after all that great beer).

Regular buses such as the 6a and 6b (First Bus) to Anniesland, head up Great Western Road and any train on the Partick line from Glasgow Queen Street or Central will drop you at Hyndland train station close by to Cafe Source Too.

When will it be held?

The sessions run over two days and will work as follows:

Friday 21st July: from 5pm till Midnight
Saturday 22nd July: from 12 Midday till 4:30pm (Family friendly, under 18s require no ticket or entry fee)
Saturday 22nd July: from 5:30pm till Midnight

Where can I get tickets and how much do they cost?

Tickets cost just £8 and include entry and your festival glass. Members of CAMRA receive a discount at £6.

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They are available to pick up in person from Good Spirits Co Wine & Beer, Good Spirits Co West End, Grunting Growler and Café Source Too.

Tickets can also be purchased online, though there is a £1 booking fee absorbed in the price (£9). You can buy your tickets online at event.bookitbee.com.

What are the highlights?

This year in attendance they have Good Spirits Co. who are bringing a new concept to the WEBF with their experimental beer cocktails.

Grunting Growler will be sure to impress with some breweries from further afield, poured as always by Glasgow’s friendliest Growler Guzzler Jehad.

Alechemy brewing will be on hand and looking to secure a third year as Beer of the Festival. While this year will also see the return of Fyne Ales, Jaw Brew, Tryst, Fallen Brew Co and West.

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The event will also have feature the regular Gypsy Brewer bar put together from Jake Griffin’s Up Front Brewing, Gallus and Dead End Brew Machine.

New kids on the block Out of Town Brewing will also be making their debut this year.

Organiser Conor McGeady said: "Out of Town have undoubtedly had a bit of propulsion behind them from part owner James Morton’s now local celeb status. Make no mistakes though, if you think he’s a great baker he is a fantastic brewer!"

He added: "We also have two very special guest this year. First up - an absolute favourite of mine - is Brass Castle who will be visiting us all the way from Yorkshire. Brass Castle's “Life's a Beach” is literally one of my all time favourite beers.

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"A pineapple and coconut wheat beer that essentially is a pina colada in a brew. Hopefully they'll be pouring it at the WEBF.

"Finally, The Scotsman Food & Drink can be the first to confirm that our final guest and newcomer this year is the Scottish Beer Awards Brewery of the Year 2016 winner Tempest Brewery who will be visiting us all the way from the Borders.

"Though they have grown in popularity and indeed availability there is no doubt that Tempest are some talented brewers who are capable of smashing out the park a whole range of beers and styles. They won't be coming to Glasgow to disappoint!"

What else can we expect? 

Conor said: "As always we have tried to include the best of local breweries from Gypsy brewers like Dead End Brew machine all the way up to larger and much longer running operations such as Fyne Ales.

"The focus of the festival is and always will be to promote the best in Scottish craft beer and independent breweries. It is of the upmost importance to include newcomers such as Out of Town as we want all of our festival goers to be aware of the growing scene in Scotland and in particularly Glasgow. The festival has grown over the last two years and we want to keep it exciting and surprising as possible while still keeping the cost down.

"This is why we pushed the boat out this year to get some guest brewers along from outside of the central belt of Scotland. We are so stoked that Brass Castle were keen to visit all the way from Yorkshire for the weekend. This just shows the appeal that the festival has not only to the public but to brewers as platform to introduce new beer drinkers to their product."

Will there be food?

In addition to all the great beers, as always Cafe Source will be serving a great selection food at great prices, last year the food offer included cheese boards of local Scottish cheeses that pair wonderfully with beer, hearty stout beef stews and pale ale Mac and Cheese.

As always there will be a BBQ outside in the beer garden (weather permitting of course).

Advice and a note of caution

Please drink responsibly. The beer festival is well staffed and the utmost effort will be made to take care of you while you are there but should you begin to let it all get to your head, take a break and get something to eat or drink some water.

And remember – just one last drink after you think you might have had enough, is never a great idea.

Luckily, the festival runs over three days so you will have plenty of time to enjoy it.

FAQs

Can I keep my glass? Yes, you can keep your glass, if you’re like us you’ll probably want to add it to your already extensive collection of beer festival glasses, or perhaps you’re just wanting to get your new collection started.

How do I become a CAMRA member? If you’re reading this guide then there’s already a fair to middling chance that you’re a fan of  real ales, or at least have an interest in them. Should this be the case then joining CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) can be a great way to extend your knowledge and support the industry.

Membership costs as little as £2 a month and you can find out how to join – or to buy a gift membership for someone who deserves a treat – here.

How will I know what to drink? Luckily, there will be well informed staff (including more than a few of the brewers themselves) at each of the bars to give you information on each of the beers available.

Should I drink pints?  Some of the beers (depending on strength) may be restricted to half pints and as a rule, it’s probably more enjoyable if you try each beer as half pints, as you’ll be able to sample more of the extensive collection but again it’s entirely up to you.

Is there a dress code? No, thankfully real ale and craft beer enthusiasts are a relaxed and friendly crowd and you’ll find nearly all forms of clothing are welcomed.

Keep up to date with information about the West End Beer Festival by following:

Facebook

Tickets Website

 

 

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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