Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026: Swansea’s Biggest Craft Beer Festival
Wales’s independent brewing scene is thriving — and this November, it is all coming together under one roof. Indie Beer Fest Wales 2026 is a four-day festival at Down By Here, Swansea, 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 — and live music in the evening sessions, this is one of the biggest celebrations of Welsh brewing culture anywhere.
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 12 November – Sunday 15 November 2026
- Venue: Down By Here, 210 High Street, Swansea SA1 1PE
- Beers: 150+ beers on pour — keg and cask — from 35+ independent Welsh breweries
- Entertainment: Live music every evening session
- 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 indiebeerwales.co.uk
What Is Indie Beer Fest Wales?
Indie Beer Fest Wales is organised by Welsh Breweries, in collaboration with SIBA (Society of Independent Brewers and Associates), and Down By Here, Swansea. Following on from the success of the first festival in Haverfordwest, this is the second edition of a dedicated showcase of the country’s independent brewing industry under one roof.
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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 | Every evening session |
| Trade session (Thursday) | Dedicated session for pubs, bars, retailers, and hospitality professionals |
Four Days, Seven Sessions
The festival runs across four days and seven sessions — come for one evening or stay for the weekend. However you enjoy it, this is an event you will not want to miss.
Check indiebeerwales.co.uk for confirmed session times and ticket options for each day.
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 Wales 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. As the organisers put it: when you buy a pint at this festival, you are directly supporting the Welsh independent brewing scene and the Welsh economy.
For more on the Welsh craft beer scene, see our craft beer in South Wales guide and our Welsh brewery tours guide.
The Venue: Down By Here, Swansea
Down By Here is affectionately known as “Swansea’s living room” — a historic High Street venue that has hosted everything from live music and cabaret to poetry and comedy nights. Its inclusive atmosphere, storied past (the building has been the Red Cow Inn, Champers Wine Bar, and Elysium Gallery & Bar over the years) and versatile layout, featuring both the main bar and the “Down By There” back room, make it the perfect setting for a festival of this kind. Down By Here is located just a minute’s walk from Swansea train station, and the venue is largely accessible, with a ramped main entrance and an accessible toilet.
Address: Down By Here, 210 High Street, Swansea SA1 1PE
Make a Weekend of It in Swansea
Indie Beer Fest Wales falls on a Thursday to Sunday in November — a good excuse to combine the festival with a wider look at Swansea Bay. Between festival sessions, explore Swansea’s Maritime Quarter and marina, browse the Victorian Swansea Market (the largest indoor market in Wales, and a great stop for Welsh produce), or take a short trip out to the Gower Peninsula, Britain’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
For accommodation, browse Swansea hotels and holiday cottages in the wider Swansea Bay area. 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 four-day craft beer festival at Down By Here, Swansea, 12–15 November 2026. 150+ beers from 35+ independent Welsh breweries, live music every evening session. Every ticket includes a pint glass and beer token. The event was originally planned for DEPOT Cardiff in July but was cancelled and rescheduled to this new date and venue.
When and where is it?
Thursday 12 November to Sunday 15 November 2026 at Down By Here, 210 High Street, Swansea SA1 1PE — a minute’s walk from Swansea train station.
Why did the venue and date change?
The festival was originally scheduled for 9–11 July 2026 at DEPOT Cardiff, but this was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. It has been rescheduled to 12–15 November 2026 at Down By Here, Swansea.
How much are tickets?
Book via indiebeerwales.co.uk. Every ticket includes a branded pint glass and beer token.
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 official festival website.
Is there a trade session?
Yes. Thursday 12 November 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.
