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Festivals

Harwich Beer Festival 2023: A Celebration of Local Brews and Community Spirit

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

This year's Harwich Beer Festival was a resounding success, attracting over 1,000 attendees who came to sample a diverse range of local brews and enjoy live music in the historic Redoubt Fort. Despite the hit-and-miss weather, the festival managed to create a lively and relaxed atmosphere, with visitors from as far afield as Kent, Oxfordshire, and west London joining the party. Organiser Paul Mellor from Wharf Brewing expressed his gratitude to the Harwich Society for allowing the festival to take place and for their dedication to maintaining the fort to a high standard.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Harwich Beer Festival welcomed over 1,000 attendees in 2023, marking a successful event despite the unpredictable weather.
  • The festival featured a diverse range of local brews, including 3,500 pints of ale, 800 pints of cider, and 300 pints of ice-cold cherry and strawberry beer.
  • The black beers were the first to sell out, prompting organisers to restock with an additional 800 pints on Saturday morning.
  • The festival boasted a unique blend of local and regional brews, with two beers coming from a small brewery in Carleton, near Skipton in Yorkshire, which were well-received by attendees.
  • Regular attendees, including a group of friends who have been attending the festival for 10 years, were thrilled to see the event's continued growth and success.
  • The festival's catering was saved at the last minute by Mills on Wheels, who stepped in to provide food for the attendees.
  • Live music was provided by a range of talented performers, including The Village Band, Libby and Tel, and Ronnie Thurlow.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 attendees were welcomed at the festival, exceeding previous years' attendance.
  • 5,000 pints of ale and cider were consumed throughout the event.
  • 3,500 pints of ale, 800 pints of cider, and 300 pints of ice-cold cherry and strawberry beer were sold during the festival.
  • The black beers were the first to sell out, necessitating an additional 800 pints to be restocked.
  • The festival took 72 hours to set up and a further 40 hours to dismantle.

Sources:

  • Steve Brading Photography
  • Wharf Brewing
  • Paul Mellor, Organiser of the Harwich Beer Festival
  • Harwich Society

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