Expo & Conference

Synopsis

Join us as we hand out the We Are Beer Top 50 UK Beers prizes.

Synopsis

WHC Labs are kindly sponsoring first day wrap beers – come join and network

Synopsis

Creating a sustainable supply chain, the future of malt, regenerative farming methods.

Our solution: Roots Revival is a sustainable malt choice for brewers and distillers. Our product range supports regenerative farming practices, improving soil health, biodiversity, and reduced carbon emissions in UK malting barley production. Our aim is to contribute towards a more resilient and environmentally friendly UK farming system.

Synopsis

Mastering fermentation in your brewery using new and existing yeast solutions.

Synopsis

This session will be a crop update and a look at how our farmers are growing malting barley in a sustainable way.

Synopsis

This session will showcase our malts in a unique tasting

Synopsis

Proactive monitoring and maintenance to cut down times and boost yields.

Synopsis

Mastering fermentation in your brewery using new and existing yeast solutions.

Synopsis

Creating a sustainable supply chain, the future of malt, regenerative farming methods.

Our solution: Roots Revival is a sustainable malt choice for brewers and distillers. Our product range supports regenerative farming practices, improving soil health, biodiversity, and reduced carbon emissions in UK malting barley production. Our aim is to contribute towards a more resilient and environmentally friendly UK farming system.

Synopsis

Common sensory defects.
Rectifying sensory defects with advanced hop products.

Synopsis

Using advanced hop products across the whole brewing process to create an intensely hoppy IPA with more aroma, more yield and more control without changing your process.

How slight tweaks in normal beer ingredients can increase brewing capacity and efficiency.

Synopsis

A live demo of the new EkegPlus Breww integration. This new integration will remove the need to double key entry fill data via both the Breww and EkegPlus scanning system. It will also allow customers to forward plan container replenishment based on their production plan in breww.

Synopsis

Want to take your tasting skills to the next level? Join Natalya Watson for a practical intro to WSET’s Systematic Approach to Tasting Beer®. Through live tastings, you’ll learn how to calibrate your palate, describe flavour with precision, and assess quality with confidence. Whether you’re behind the bar or building a brand, this session will help you taste – and talk – like a pro.

Synopsis

Does weissbier really smell like banana? Put your palate to the test with WSET Beer Educator Natalya Watson in this hands-on flavour training. You’ll explore beer’s “on-flavours” using real ingredients – fruits, herbs, spices – then apply your skills in a guided tasting. It’s sensory training with a purpose: building your flavour vocabulary to become a better beer taster.

Synopsis

This will be an interactive session dedicated to sensory/quality control within the beer market. We would focus on enhancing the sensory skills of brewers by exploring key flavours in beer using our Flavour Standards. Participants will have the opportunity to taste and analyse a range of specific off-flavours, taints, and basic tastes – whilst learning about their origins, importance and key sensory characteristics.

Synopsis

A hands-on activity for brewers to get a chance to practice dilution and cell counting calculations. Whether you are a seasoned brewer or have never looked down a microscope before, come along and have a refresher or a crash course in Yeasts cell counting for repitching.

Synopsis

Ben Lockwood has 20+ years experience at the forefront of beer in the UK, with vast experience as Marketing Manager (Nicholson’s Pubs), Beer Buyer (Mitchells & Butlers) and Head of On Trade Marketing (BrewDog). Born from these experiences Ben looks at how brands have been successful in the On Trade and how to build brands for commercial success in the future

Synopsis

Building on We Are Beer Horizons, Ben Penrose has conducted research with many of chief buyers in the grocery sector, exploring the direction of travel and understanding how breweries and beer can strategise for commercial growth as the category evolves.

Ben will present and lead a “fire-side chat” to discuss the implications.

Synopsis

The Beer Company are the leading craft beer suppliers to many of the UK’s largest pub groups. Founder and CEO, Jo Taylor will present insight and data on how to win business with these channels and build for strong, sustainable commercial success.

Synopsis

Synopsis

Key themes from Wednesday and what to expect from Thursday’s final day.

Synopsis

Greg Wells, co-founder, welcomes all attendees and sets the agenda for the two days. With the goal of commercial growth, Greg will breakdown the key themes and expected outcomes.

Synopsis

In tough times, training budgets often get cut. But training shouldn’t be viewed as an expense. It’s an investment in your business… and one that pays.

Beer education builds so much more than product knowledge. Staff that are equipped with the right know-how are more engaged with your brand, more confident with your products, and more likely to stay with your organisation. They’re also more likely to drive sales, increasing productivity and profitability. Learn how to unlock your team’s full potential through easy-to-implement training solutions for any beer business.

Synopsis

What’s a successful brewery look like? What benchmarks can we use?

One big takeaway from the last few years is that our breweries are businesses. In many ways, this has been an uncomfortable reality for an industry that doesn’t always put profitability as the principal marker of a successful business.

The last few years has shown us that our breweries need to be about more than just great beer and brands, they need to be sustainable businesses.

Synopsis

As the craft beer industry continues to evolve, brewery owners are faced with critical decisions about their long-term future. While many will transition into family-owned businesses, others may consider alternative pathways such as employee ownership, mergers, acquisitions, or strategic partnerships. This panel, led by Luca Lorenzoni will give insights into how these options can impact company culture, financial outcomes, and long-term brand sustainability.

Synopsis

What can new brewery owners, brewers, and industry professionals learn from businesses that have thrived for over two centuries?

After all, isn’t craft beer just a modern evolution of the family brewery model that has shaped the UK beer industry for generations?

Miles Jenner, Head Brewer and Joint MD of the iconic Harvey’s Brewery in Sussex, brings his deep industry experience to the stage. Drawing on insights from leading a 220-year-old independent brewery, he will explore how today’s beer businesses can build for long-term success, adapt to industry shifts, and create lasting legacies.

Synopsis

Rethinking Innovation: How Beer Can Break New Ground

Over the past decade, beer has been celebrated for creativity and innovation, but are we still pushing boundaries, or just catering to the same audience?

As consumer preferences shift, the industry must move beyond simply filling market gaps and instead focus on creating meaningful, original products that resonate with new demographics. To stay relevant, breweries and brands must identify emerging trends, expand their reach, and find the right balance between creativity and commercial success.

Enter Ben Branson, founder of Seedlip and now Pollen Projects, a serial innovator with a unique perspective on developing game-changing products and brands. In this session, Ben will share insights on how business leaders and producers can rethink their approach to innovation, ensuring they stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.

Synopsis

Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, it’s a business necessity. Adopting sustainable brewing practices not only aligns with consumer demand for eco-conscious brands but also boosts profitability, enhances efficiency, and drives long-term success.

Join George Wade (Zevero) and Chris Lewington (Brew Resourceful) as they share actionable insights on where to begin, practical steps for implementing sustainable initiatives, and real-world case studies showcasing the financial and environmental benefits of going green.

Discover how sustainability can be a key differentiator in the beer industry, helping breweries reduce costs, improve margins, and build a future-proof business.

Synopsis

Brand Growth Strategies for Startups, Independents and New To World Brands. 

Gaining market and cultural traction is essential, especially as brand building in premium food and drink increasingly relies on resonance within audience communities.

For startups, independents, and emerging brands, this is even more critical, as marketing budgets must work harder than ever. Your biggest advantage? Talkability.

Join Damola Timeyin, Lauren Preece, and Imme Ermgassen, industry experts with a proven track record of growing some of the most successful startup brands in beer and drinks. They’ll share practical strategies on how to get talked about, maximise impact with a limited budget, and create brand relevance that drives real engagement.

Learn how to make every penny of your marketing spend count and turn your brand into a conversation starter.

Synopsis

Gen Z’s relationship with alcohol and beer is widely discussed—but often with little real data. What’s clear is that their values, aspirations, and identity markers differ from previous generations, and they’re entering a beer landscape unlike any before.

To attract and retain Gen Z consumers, brands must deeply understand their preferences, behaviors, and expectations. This insight is crucial for shaping products, experiences, and marketing strategies that truly resonate.

Join We Are Beer founder Greg Wells as he presents key findings from exclusive audience research, revealing critical insights for the future of beer branding and engagement. The session will be followed by a discussion with leading voices in beer brand development, offering expert perspectives on how to connect with the next generation of drinkers.

Synopsis

Join us for a thought-and-action-provoking presentation and panel discussion exploring the evolving landscape of Diversity and Inclusion within the drinks and beer industry. Lorraine will share her key learnings on what businesses need to do today, and our panellists will share insights into what true inclusion looks like, drawing on both lived experiences and industry perspectives. Expect actionable ideas and inspiration on how we can collectively create a beer industry that is truly inclusive for all.

Panellists announced shortly.

Synopsis

In today’s competitive craft beer landscape, success isn’t just about brewing great beer, it’s about how consumers perceive quality. With millions of user-generated ratings and reviews, Untappd has become a powerful barometer of consumer preferences and trends.

Delve into the data behind Untappd to reveal who is winning in Europe, what styles and brands are resonating with consumers in 2025, and what emerging trends are shaping the future of craft beer.

Whether you’re a brewery looking to boost your presence on Untappd or seeking to understand the shifting landscape of craft beer, this talk will provide actionable strategies to define and achieve success in the eyes of your audience.

Synopsis

Garrett Marrero, founder and CEO of Craft ‘Ohana, the parent company of Maui Brewing, is a driving force in the American beer industry. Recognized as Brewbound’s Person of the Year, he has played a pivotal role in helping Maui’s community rebuild and recover from the devastating wildfires.

Under Garrett’s leadership, Craft ‘Ohana has leveraged strong community connections, smart innovation, and strategic acquisition to become one of the top 30 independent breweries in the U.S..

At the We Are Beer Industry Expo & Conference, Garrett will share insights from his growth journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at scaling an independent brewery, navigating challenges, and shaping the future of craft beer

Synopsis

What does it take to build a truly iconic brand? In this keynote, Steve Grossman of Sierra Nevada shares his firsthand experience in turning a passion-driven business into a globally recognised brand.

Exploring the journey of Sierra Nevada’s growth, the challenges faced along the way, and the key strategies that helped the brewery achieve long-term success, gain valuable takeaways on the importance of authenticity, resilience, and staying true to core values while adapting to an ever-evolving market.

Synopsis

Some brands are born iconic. Most become it. Iconic brands are built over time through meaning, distinctiveness, connection and freshness. This session will explore these key pillars using practical examples.

Whether you’re launching a new brand or looking to elevate an existing one, this talk will provide the tools and inspiration to position your business for long-term growth.

Synopsis

Craft Beer has a stigma – that it’s dying. This can stifle investment, growth, and opportunities for breweries to explore new destinations such as bars and taprooms. In an industry where leaders often shy away from the spotlight, it’s crucial to take control of the narrative and showcase the sector’s ongoing potential.

Gain actionable strategies to shape the conversation around craft beer, attract investment, and unlock new opportunities for growth and expansion. By embracing storytelling and effective communication, the industry can create a brighter, more sustainable future.

Synopsis

The beer landscape is evolving fast, but what are the decision makers in Grocery actually excited about? 

This session dives straight into the minds of buyers: what they love drinking, the standout innovations from the past year, and the gaps they’re still waiting for brands to fill. 

We’ll also explore what consumers are asking for from UK grocers and uncover key insights that could make all the difference when pitching to supermarkets.

Synopsis

While selling beer has become harder than it was, we continue to be surrounded by opportunity. As sales come under pressure and margins through traditional channels have become tighter, we can’t ignore a solution that helps us with both those things: Opening our own sites to sell our own beer. It’s no surprise then that we’re seeing a blurring of the lines between being a brewery, and being social spaces (with great beer of course).

Whether you’re new to the idea or somewhere on that journey, this session will provide essential lessons from those who’ve done it about as well as you can.