Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026: Cardiff’s Biggest Craft Beer Festival
Wales’s independent brewing scene is thriving — and this July, it is all coming together under one roof. Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026 is a brand-new three-day festival at DEPOT Cardiff, bringing together over 35 independent Welsh breweries for a weekend of discovery, conversation, and seriously great beer. With 150+ beers on pour — keg and cask — live music, DJs, and street food, this is the biggest celebration of Welsh brewing culture ever staged.
Whether you are a diehard cask aficionado or just starting to explore the world of craft beer, there is something here for everyone.
At a Glance: Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026
- Dates: Thursday 9 July – Saturday 11 July 2026
- Venue: DEPOT Cardiff, Dumballs Road, Cardiff CF10 5FE
- Beers: 150+ beers on pour — keg and cask — from 35+ independent Welsh breweries
- Entertainment: Live music, DJs, street food throughout
- Included with every ticket: Branded pint glass + beer token to get you started
- Trade session: Thursday features a dedicated session for pubs, bars, and hospitality professionals
- Tickets: Book now via See Tickets
What Is Indie Beer Fest Wales?
Indie Beer Fest Wales is part of The Great Welsh Drinks Festival, organised in collaboration with the Welsh Government Drinks Cluster, SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers and Associates), and DEPOT Cardiff. It is the first festival of its kind in Wales — a dedicated showcase of the country’s independent brewing industry under one roof.
Wales is the only region in the UK with a growing brewing industry. From Champion Beer of Britain winners to garage startups now shipping across the country, the Welsh independent brewing scene has exploded in recent years. This festival celebrates that growth, giving you the chance to taste 150+ beers, meet the people who brew them, and discover your next favourite pint.
What Is Included With Your Ticket?
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| 150+ beers | Keg and cask from 35+ independent Welsh breweries |
| Branded pint glass | Included with every ticket — yours to keep |
| Beer token | Included with every ticket to get you started |
| Live music & DJs | Throughout the weekend |
| Street food | Welsh street food vendors on-site all day |
| Trade session (Thursday) | Dedicated session for pubs, bars, retailers, and hospitality professionals |
Three Days, Three Sessions
The festival runs across three days and three sessions — come for one evening or stay for the weekend. However you enjoy it, this is a summer event you will not want to miss.
| Day | Date | Times | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 9 July 2026 | From 6pm | Opening night + trade session (SIBA) |
| Friday | 10 July 2026 | Sessions TBC | Full festival day |
| Saturday | 11 July 2026 | Until 10pm | Final day — closing party |
Check See Tickets for confirmed session times and ticket options.
Why Indie Beer Fest Wales Matters
This is not just another beer festival. Indie Beer Fest Wales is a statement about the health and ambition of Welsh independent brewing. As SIBA Regional Director Sara Webber puts it: “Wales is the only region in the UK that has a growing brewing industry. We should be doing all we can to celebrate this achievement and support our independent brewers.”
The breweries at Indie Beer Fest Wales are genuinely independent — no multinational-owned brands, no global conglomerates. These are Welsh businesses, often family-run, using local ingredients and building something from the ground up. When you buy a pint at this festival, you are directly supporting the Welsh independent brewing economy.
For more on the Welsh craft beer scene, see our craft beer in South Wales guide — featuring Tiny Rebel (Champion Beer of Britain), Crafty Devil, BeerRiff, Pipes, and 12 more Welsh breweries with taproom details and must-try beers.
The Venue: DEPOT Cardiff
DEPOT Cardiff on Dumballs Road is one of the city’s most atmospheric event spaces — a large, industrial warehouse venue that has hosted everything from music festivals to food markets. Its open-plan layout, high ceilings, and raw industrial aesthetic make it the perfect setting for a beer festival of this scale. DEPOT is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Cardiff Central station and Cardiff Bay.
Address: DEPOT Cardiff, Dumballs Road, Cardiff CF10 5FE
Make a Weekend of It in Cardiff
Indie Beer Fest Wales falls on a Thursday to Saturday in July — the perfect excuse for a Cardiff city break. Between festival sessions, explore Cardiff‘s 2,000-year-old castle, browse the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades, visit the free National Museum Cardiff, or walk the Cardiff Bay Barrage. For dinner, see our Cardiff restaurants guide — including The Potted Pig (modern British in a restored 1855 bank vault) and Tiny Rebel’s Cardiff bar (craft beer and burgers on Westgate Street).
For accommodation, browse Cardiff hotels and holiday cottages. For more on Welsh beer culture, see our brewery tours guide and best pubs in Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indie Beer Fest Wales
What is Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026?
A brand-new three-day craft beer festival at DEPOT Cardiff, 9–11 July 2026. 150+ beers from 35+ independent Welsh breweries, live music, DJs, and street food. Part of The Great Welsh Drinks Festival. Every ticket includes a pint glass and beer token.
When and where is it?
Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 July 2026 at DEPOT Cardiff, Dumballs Road, CF10 5FE. 10 minutes’ walk from Cardiff Central station.
How much are tickets?
Book via See Tickets. Every ticket includes a branded pint glass and beer token. Book early — the first-ever Indie Beer Fest Wales is expected to sell out.
Which breweries are attending?
35+ independent Welsh breweries. Wales is the only UK region with a growing brewing industry. Full brewery list confirmed closer to the event on the DEPOT Cardiff website.
Is food available?
Yes. Street food vendors serve throughout the weekend.
Is there a trade session?
Yes. Thursday 9 July features a dedicated trade session for pubs, bars, retailers, and hospitality professionals, organised with SIBA.
Pembrokeshire-born travel writer and founder of Wales.org. Born in Haverfordwest, now based in Hertfordshire — covering Welsh castles, national parks, festivals and family staycations across all 22 Welsh counties.
