Greater Manchester to host industry awards as part of International Beer & Cider Festival

The prestigious International Brewing & Cider Awards will be held in Manchester as part of a two-day beer festival planned for March 2024.

The ticketed festival, taking place at Depot Mayfield in Manchester on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd March 2024, will give members of the public the chance to sample local, national and international drinks, including the winning brews of the 2024 International Brewing & Cider Awards.

The festival is the first of its kind to be hosted alongside the awards in their 137-year history. The International Brewing & Cider Awards first launched in 1888 and will relocate to Manchester in 2024 after ten years of being held in Burton-on-Trent’s National Brewery Centre.

The move to Greater Manchester acknowledges both the city-region’s long-standing brewing tradition, as well as its newcomers and innovators in the drinks sector.

Ruth Evans MBE, director of the International Brewing & Cider Awards and organiser of the Festival, said:

“The city has a rich history in brewing and an up-and-coming cider scene making it a fitting location for our expansion. Our ethos has always been to support the brewing and cidermaking industry on a not-for-profit basis and celebrate the best beers and ciders from around the world, providing the recognition they truly deserve.

“The Festival provides a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the incredible talent of brewers and cidermakers and to share their passion with the public. The move to Manchester also allows us to forge valuable new partnerships with local organisations and community stakeholders, as well as extend the knowledge and appreciation of a win at the competition.

“We hope this festival becomes a tradition, opening to the public once our Awards concludes on the Friday this is a hugely exciting time for us and we are very excited to be descending on Manchester in March.”