About the Festival

History

Stockport Beer and Cider Festival started life as the Stockport Beer Festival back in 1987 in the refectory of Stockport College. 1988 saw disaster with licensing problems forcing a premature closure but since then the festival as gone from strength to strength.

From the College we moved to Stockport Guildhall and then in 1993 to the Town Hall Ball Room. Over the next 10 years we grew and grew until the queues on Friday and Saturday nights snaked down the A6. In 2004 the government gave us the motivation we needed by commandeering the Town Hall to store the postal ballots for the forthcoming European Elections and we moved to Edgeley Park, the home of Stockport County, where we have been ever since. This much larger venue allowed us to accommodate many more festival goers. However issues arose at Edgeley Park and the decision was made to return to the Guildhall in 2023, this time utilising most of the rooms in the building, over two floors and much of the car park to the rear, thereby providing for a far larger number of customers than was possible back in the early 90’s.

What's On?

Drink

The main attraction must of course be the choice of quality beers and ciders at affordable prices and here we certainly don’t let you down. Across two floors of the Guildhall we have a dazzling selection of cask beers from around the country with quite a number of new breweries exhibiting each year along with a few great old favourites. On the ground floor we have a Beer in Bottle and Can bar selling not only British beers but also a choice of exotic continental ones as well.

Stockport was one of the first CAMRA festivals to style itself as a ‘Beer and Cider Festival’ so it is no surprise perhaps to find that our growth in cider consumption since those early days has been incredible. There is no better place to become a cider and perry devotee than at the Stockport Beer and Cider Festival. The Cider and Perry Bar can be found on the ground floor at Guildhall.

Food

Festival food is provided both by the inhouse caterers on the ground floor, where seating is provided and outside from a catering van. This enables to provide you with a wider variety of nourishment to compliment the extensive range of beers and ciders.

Music

The entertainment suite upstairs provides plenty of space to watch the bands. To go with the unmatched beer and cider on offer we have first-rate entertainment. From choir music to ska, to high energy rock n’roll, to folk, to top quality blues. Each year there is always something during the festival for almost everybody’s taste.

Attractions

If this is all too energetic just sit outside and drink from your souvenir glass and watch the world go by; there will plenty of seating provided and cover from any inclement weather. Afterwards you can pop along to try our Tombola and games, with their enticing prizes. Alongside is the CAMRA Shop, where you can purchase your souvenir Festival T-shirt, CAMRA books and merchandise or even a present for a loved one.

Join Us!

Join Europe’s most active consumer organisation at the CAMRA Membership and Information Stand where you can also buy more beer and cider tokens. New members receive £20 vouchers for use in a number of pub chains including Wetherspoon’s and if direct debit is used, also a beer voucher and free beer at a local pub. You can also book your taxi home at this Stand. Remember, if you join CAMRA before the festival, you will get in at a discounted price.

Our Sponsors keep us going

The festival would not be able to offer great beer and cider and a fantastic afternoon or evening out at the prices charged without its sponsors. Please show your appreciation as they deserve support both for their generosity and the quality of their products and services.

We're All Volunteers

Stockport Beer and Cider Festival is organised by the Campaign for Real Ale and run by CAMRA members who volunteer their time on an unpaid basis. So when you attend the Festival please show them the respect they richly deserve and thank them for their efforts – it makes it all worthwhile!