Beer Festivals in Swindon
There have been CAMRA organised Beer Festivals in Swindon since 1976. Originally held at the Mechanics Institute in Emlyn Square, the last Beer Festival there was in 1983. The Mechanics Institute was offered to the local Council for £1 in 1984, but they declined to buy it because it was in a poor state, so it was closed.
Unfortunately the Mechanics Institute fell into disrepair and could not be used as a venue again. For further details on the Mechanics Institute please visit the New Mechanics' Preservation Trust Ltd at New Mechanics.
Partially as a result of this there were no further Swindon Beer Festivals until 1994. The new venue was the New College, Walcot.
After 5 years at New College the Beer Festival moved to the Territorial Army Drill Hall in Church Place in 2000. Although the Drill Hall was slightly smaller its more central location proved very popular and it was our venue for 2000 and 2001. The Drill Hall was not available in 2002, consequently our Beerex could not take place.
In 2003 we moved to the Old Railway Museum in Faringdon Road, where we held successful Beer Festivals three years running.
In 2006 we took the opportunity to move to STEAM, the Museum of the Great Western Railway,
close to the tracks of the mainline. That year was of course Brunel's bicentenary.
We have now had two very successful Swindon Beer Festivals at this location. It looks
as though we might be here for some time with a bigger event than before:
STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Kemble Drive
Swindon
SN2 2TA
Click on postcode for a Google map.
Swindon Beer Festival 2008
The 22nd Swindon Beerex was held at the STEAM Museum, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2TA from Thursday 30 October to Saturday 1 November 2008.
It featured over 100 beers, plus a selection of ciders and perries.
Here are the selections from the tasting panel for beer of the festival:
1st was Oakham Bishop’s Farewell
2nd was Mordue All Hallows Ale
3rd was Harviestoun Shiehallion
Please click on the brewery name to visit their website.
1712 people attended this three day event. This is up on last year where we counted 1564 for all sessions.
The admission fee included a half pint souvenir glass with a line for a third of a pint. CAMRA members got vouchers for a free pint. The introduction of a third of a pint measure proved quite popular as it gave people a chance to sample more beers without drinking a lot more.
All sessions had food available with a hog roast on Friday evening. Music was provided by Bob Bowles on Saturday afternoon.
A well attended Friday lunchtime session - see below.
Click on beer list (PDF) to display what was on offer. This is the final list.
Buses to the railway station and town centre were laid on again towards the end of the evening sessions.
The Location map below shows where the Swindon Beer Festival (Beerex) takes place.
Swindon Beer Festival 2007
The 2007 Beer Festival - the 21st Swindon Beerex - took place at the STEAM for the
second year from 1 November to 3 November.
This was probably our most successful Beerex to date. It got off to a brilliant start with over
500 people attending the Thursday evening session. Everybody enjoyed a huge variety of real ales,
ciders and perries. There was even a stall for fruit wines. Friday evening had an even bigger
attendance. Overall we counted 1564 people for the four sessions. No doubt, some
people liked it so much that they came to several sessions!
It certainly was a most enjoyable event too. Just click on
photos to display some great images.
The beer of the festival was Eddystone from South Hams Brewery in Devon.
Click on the beer list to display what was on offer.
Thamesdown provided a flexible bus service between National Trust HQ (see map below) and Fleming Way
via the railway station and Regent Circus on Thursday and Friday night at 10.10, 10.40 & 11.00pm.
How many beer festivals have their own bus services?!
To display a poster in a new window click on Poster.
Click on CAMRA logo for national website
