Roll Out the Barrels
Two hundred beers are coming. You can't stop THEM!
A good rule of thumb is to avoid conventions at all costs. Little-to-no natural light, coma-inducing speeches and refreshments that are blander than a Barratt Homes design. A convention we can get entirely on board with, though, is Lock & Key Beer Con, a new, indie three-dayer, taking place on the first weekend of Birmingham Beer Week — a celebratory salute to Brum's burgeoning brewing scene.
THE BASICS
Across Friday, Saturday and Sunday at The Bond there'll be around 200 beers, including cask, keg, cans and bottles. Bag a ticket (from £8.50) for a day or evening sesh. Said ticket gets you your officially official convention glass (handy), plus access to bars, stalls, free talks and pop-up tastings. Buy tokens to exchange for third or half pints, and Bob's your uncle. Literally, in our editor's case.
THE BARS
Together with The Wolf, Cherry Redsand a load of other beery-types, Pint Shop is putting on its own bar. And if you're wondering who they might be, the Cambridgeshire crew will be opening up on Bennetts Hill this Autumn. Pint Shop will be pouring some ace collabs, including with De Molen — recently voted 8th best brewery in the world — and closer to your abode, the excellent Dig Brew co.
THE BREWERS
Lock & Key's talking a particularly strong game on the subject of brewers, of which there'll be nearly 100. About 30 will have their own bars, with a further 20 offering "meet the brewer" opportunities. Look out for Nottingham's Neon Raptor, which started life simply, with a kitchen hob and a Wilko's pot. The team have now got 25 beers. Meet them and locals like Birmingham Brewing Company.
THE TASTINGS
Throughout the weekend, there'll be pop-ups and tastings that are free to attend. On Friday night, Sam Boulton ofThe Vanguard Bar's covering off mead and its place in today's drinks industry, followed by a tasting of a traditional and contemporary style example of the honeyed beer. Across all three days Cave Direct will be hosting sharing bottle tastings with guests like beer somm, Roberto Ross, and more locally, that lovely Rich from Clink.
THE TALKS
There'll also be plenty of chat from industry leaders like Rachel Auty, Founder of Women on Tap Festival and director of Drinker's Voice, which promotes women in the beer industry. Plus Andy Parker, owner and brewer at Elusive Brewing, will be launching theEssential Guide to Home Brewing by CAMRA — that's the Campaign for Real Ale if you're not up on your beer flavoured acronyms.
THE STALLS AND STREET FOODING
Observe the three Cs — cake, cheese and chocolate will all form part of the market running throughout the weekend, where you'll also find handmade beer-related gifts and jewellery by Working Clasp. On food that's somewhat more substantial, whisper it, but Original Patty Men, Fat Snags and Change Kitchen is the ever so impressive line-up.
Lock & Key Beer Con runs July 20 to 22. Families are welcome on Sunday. Tickets
'I Choose Birmingham' is a free weekly email about the best things to do in Brum. Subscribe below.
