February 21, 2020

Brewers Congress: Bigger, Better and at the Brewery  

The Brewers Congress returns for its fourth year in 2020 and with it, a more expansive and feature-packed programme than ever before.

Following three sold-out years at The Institution of Civil Engineers, this December The Brewers Congress moves to a new home at The Brewery in the City of London.

Taking place on the 8th and 9th December, The Brewers Congress 2020 kicks off with an industry wide Christmas Party and Brewers Choice Awards celebrations.

The 1950’s Prom themed evening will see UK brewers and their partners dress to impress as they indulge in a cocktail reception, a lavish three course meal and unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks as they dance and celebrate into the early hours.

Following a hugely popular launch last year, The Brewers Choice Awards are back in 2020. We’re broadening the field this year but the aim remains the same and that’s to showcase the finest in UK brewing and to put the best of the best in the spotlight.

The Brewers Choice Awards are split into seven categories: Brewery Of The Year, New Brewery of The Year, Young Brewer of The Year, Beer of the Year, New Beer of The Year, Best Branding and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Full details of this year’s awards will be published in the next edition of The Brewers Journal.

Education and team development is at the heart of the Brewers Congress mission. Day two is the largest gathering of breweries in the UK brewing Calendar. More than 300 breweries come together to share their knowledge of brewing, industry trends, developments in methodology, technology and ingredients.

The trade hall has been one of the most popular aspects of the event amongst attendees. This year we are increasing the number of exhibitor spots to 40.

We are creating four beer tasting spots, all trialling different beers, to keep attendees moving around the hall. And for the first time we are live streaming the lectures into the exhibition space so attendees can spend more time in the trade hall without missing out on the talks.

The Brewers Congress 2020 takes place at The Brewery, a best-in-class venue that occupies the site of the former Whitbread brewery in East London.

In 1750 Samuel Whitbread, having bought property in the area, transplanted his operations to Chiswell Street from two smaller breweries in Old Street and Brick Lane.

Within a few years Whitbread’s brewery had become a vast operation, its sheer size making it an attraction worthy of royal visits. George III, Queen Charlotte, Queen Elizabeth II and Elizabeth the Queen Mother all visited the site.

Brewing on the site continued until 1976, the last tanker pulling out of the South Yard on April 13, bringing to an end a 225-year era.

Key Information

The Brewery
52 Chiswell Street,
London
EC1Y 4SD