One of the UK’s best-loved beer festivals returns to Liverpool for three days at the end of May offering beer, street food and live music. Tony McDonough reports

Black Lodge Brewery in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle will be taken over by one of the UK’s best-loved beer festivals for three days at the end of May.

Craft Beer Expo returns to the city with its event running from Thursday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31 at the venue in Kings Dock Street. As well as beer there will be a number of street food vendors as well as live music.

Now in its 12th year, the expo is the UK’s longest-running craft beer event and a mainstay of the national beer calendar. It is known for championing independent breweries.

With more than 30 breweries involved and hundreds of beers pouring, it’s a chance to explore everything from crisp lagers and juicy IPAs to sours, stouts and experimental brews.

This year’s line-up features returning favourites and new names, including Neptune, Glen Affric, Colbier, Thornbridge, Wylam and more. There’s plenty for non-beer drinkers too, with cider, gin cocktails, natural wine and alcoholic ice cream all on offer.

Paul Seiffert, co-founder of Black Lodge Brewery and the man behind the event, said: “We started the Expo back in 2013 to bring great beer to people in a way that felt down to earth and fun.

“It’s grown a lot, but it’s still got that same energy. We’ve always mixed well-known breweries with newer names and made it a genuinely enjoyable way to spend time with your mates, whether you’re into beer or just curious.”

Food traders include smash burgers from Fatback, tacos from El Polito, Neapolitan pizza from Dough Bros, Indian street food from Aunty’s Kitchen, dumplings from Wong’s, and dessert from Scooped.

Live music will feature throughout, including sets from Liverpool artist Harry James and a full DJ line-up from Matsuri Records, known for high-energy festival sessions in the Baltic.

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There are four sessions across the weekend, Thursday evening 5pm to 11pm is £13.50, Friday evening and both Saturday sessions, afternoon 12pm to 5pm and evening 6pm to 11pm. Click here to buy tickets.

Paul added: “We don’t just want to put on a good beer event. We want to create a weekend people look forward to, where every detail matters, from the brewers to the soundtrack.”

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