BREWERS congress

the big penny social, london

29-30 September 2026

The Brewers Congress is a two-day conference and exhibition that showcases the very best in brewing.

Platinum sponsor

MAIN STAGE

Every year the Brewers Congress main stage plays host to the biggest and most influential brewers from the UK and around the world. It also brings lessons from brand builders, entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators from other sectors to inspire the brewing industry.

The 2026 congress will go further than ever before, promising to bring the most extensive line up of speakers to date. Full details will be announced in the run up to the event.

MASTERCLASSES

Introduced for the first time at the 2025 congress, the Masterclasses have quickly become an essential knowledge sharing moment. Through a series of intimate discussions with past winners of the Brewers Choice Awards and other leading brewers and experts, attendees will hear indepth insights into how these brewers have achieved their success.

WORKSHOPS

The Brewers Congress Workshops give practical insights into how to brew better, overcome common problems or develop new styles. from tasting sessions to ingredient sampling and equipment demos, the workshops sessions are an essential event for those new to brewing and those looking for the next growth opportunity.

the programme

unlimited beer tasting

30 Sep 2025

Show times 10:00 – 23:00

Time	Speaker
11:00-11:30	Tamar Banner, To Øl Raising quality: What we in the UK and Europe can learn from strides that have been made in the US industry
12:00-12:30	Francesco Lo Bue, Technical Brewer Hop compounds peak at different times – Here’s how to bring them all into your pint.
12:45-13:15	Marian Reed, Sudden Death Brewing Making strategic production choices via data management and how to prioritise markets and know where you best ‘fit’.
13:45-14:30	Dr Florian Lehnhardt, Research Center Weihenstephan A comprehensive evaluation of flavour instability in beer
14:45-15:20	Francesca Corradin, Botivo Join Francesca Nikita Corradin, production manager at Botivo, who will take us through the process and story of this popular beverage.
15:30-15:50	Paul Anspach, Anspach & Hobday Founded by Paul Anspach & Jack Hobday back in 2013, Anspach & Hobday has gone from strength to strength in recent years and much of that growth can be attributed to their flagship beer. London Black has fundamentally changed and redefined the brewery and business with approximately 70+% of their output the popular Nitro Porter. In his talk, Paul will outlined the importance of the brand and how crucial factors such as an authentic, believable story coupled with clear messaging have helped elevate the beer. He also explains how the team are striving to establish London Black as The beer of London and to forge the association between London and London Black such that for a beer drinker, any visit to the city would not be complete without a pint of London Black.
16:00-16:30	Matt Curtis, Author and Consultant In today’s brewing world an entire brand, from concept to completion can be developed for you in seconds at the touch of a button, or outsourced to agencies who almost definitely don’t know your beer as well as you do. But in an increasingly digital world, how indeed do modern marketing strategies resonate with consumers who are looking for something more tangible, something genuine, something authentic? Join writer, author and publisher Matthew Curtis for a deep dive into the importance of conveying authenticity in your breweries brand message, and explore how being true to yourself, your brand, your values and – most importantly – the beer you make is key to winning hearts and minds in beer’s modern era.
16:45-17:15	Pete Brown, Author, broadcaster and writer Pete Brown, author, journalist, broadcaster and consultant specialising in food and drink looks at the subject of premiumistation in beer, what is it and how your brand can leverage it.

Time	Speaker
11:30-12:00	Connecting the dots: How breweries can work more effectively with trade Host: Paul Davies Panelists: Krishan Rajput, Stirchley Wines & Spirits; Linda Birch, Brewery Market; Jourdan Gabbini, Waitrose & Partners; Alex Greig, Fuggles Beer Cafe
12:30-13:00	Enhancing Beer Shelf Life with Pomegranate Extract Tuur Mertens and Celina Dugulin will share how a lab idea grew into a real-world brewing solution. Join them as they tell the story of how pomegranate extract went from PhD research to a commercial product (MashLife) that helps brewers protect flavour stability and extend shelf life. Hosts: Dr. Tuur Mertens, Belgian brewing scientist and Celina Dugulin, technical projects manager, Murphy and Son
13:30-14:00	Cutting through the noise Mastering social media in 2025 Love it or hate it, social media has become an important way to connect with your customers over the past 20 years. Across the beer industry, it’s one of the most powerful tools to help you to build connections, trust, and visibility. But are you really making it work for you and your customers, or just ticking a box? Join our panel from across the industry as they share practical insights and examples to help you to cut through the noise and engage the right audience. Host: Amélie Tassin Panelists: David Blomquist, Moonwake; Mark Costello, Horsforth Brewing; Rebecca Pate
14:30-15:00	For the love of brewing A celebration of the new wave of small breweries starting up at the moment, their own story and what they’ve learnt Host: James and Nia Rylance, Ideal Day Brewery Panelists: Vik Stronge
15:30-16:00	The view outside the UK Brewers and brewery owners from Estonia, Hungary, Norway and Spain share their insights and observations of the brewing scene across Europe and beyond. Host: Paul Davies Panelists: Shane Butterly, Lervig; Chris Pilkington, Tuletorn; Marian Reed, Sudden Death Brewing; Marton Sefcsik, Mad Scientist; Patrick Tuck, Oso Brew Co
18.00-23:00	Brewers Choice Awards Party

Time	Speaker
11:00-11:30	What impact does having a solar system have on your business? Richard Fuell, Good Energy Richard will be discussing the benefits of installing commercial solar panels for your business, highlighting protection against energy price rises, illustrating the financial benefits and reduction in Co2 emissions.
12:00-12:30	CO2 Recovery for Independent Breweries Adam Keenan, Chart Industries CO₂ recovery is changing the game for craft breweries and other fermentation-led producers. Earthly Labs manufacture industry-proven turnkey CiCi™ CO2 recovery systems designed specifically for craft and independent breweries from 2k hl per year upwards. This workshop will take you through the technology, its implementation in the brewery, and the economics – how to build and test a business case for your brewery.
13:00-13:30	24-Hour micro detection technology from Figura, and its application at Greene King Nick Whitehurst and Rhush Maugi of Figura Analytics and Simon Heffer of Greene King
14:00-14:30	Rebuilding the outdated distribution model Matt Pritchard and Julian Bourne, Sellar Sellar is redefining brewery trade sales: direct, digital, and built for today’s challenges. A new model that helps breweries claim back margin, cut costs, and unlock growth through shared resources
15:00-15:30	The technical lessons that I learned during my Brewing Apprenticeship which helped transform my business Mike Sayer, HIT Training
16:00-16:30	Opportunities in Canning Darren Fenton, Bevcraft

1 Oct 2025

Show times 10:00 – 17:00

Time	Speaker
10:30-11:00	David Jesudason, Journalist and Author The award-winning David Jesudason will argue ‘Why not taking a stance is a political stance.’
11:15-11:45	Bobby Dennis, Signature Brew Bobby Dennis will look at how the worlds of beer and music intertwine, and how breweries can work more closely with artists, bands and labels to help bring their beers to a new and exciting audience.
12:15-12:45	Lotte Peplow, Brewers Association Let Lotte Peplow tell you about beer judging. She’ll be looking at the competitions available (both national and international), how to enter, why enter, common mistakes, how to maximise your entries and the basic good practice a brewer should follow when entering competitions.
13:00-13:15	Bart Wellens, Brewery Westmalle Bart Wellens, commercial director at the legendary Westmalle brewery, tells the story of its revered beers.
13:30-14:00	Tim Weaver, The Brand Weaver What your brewery actually needs to build a successful brand”—and busting the myth that it’s all about a logo
14:10-14:30	Jordan Childs, Mash Gang Join Jordan Childs, the co-founder and chief product officer at Mash Gang, for a talk on his own journey, the importance understanding customer needs and why community engagement is integral.
14:30-15:00	Neil Walker and Barry Watts, SIBA Launched in late 2024, the Indie Beer campaign has gathered huge momentum and is changing the way the industry talks about beer from independents. Indie Beer campaigner Neil Walker sets out what’s next for the campaign and how the industry can help the Indie Beer campaign push back against Global beers dominance. Speaking with Neil is Barry Watts, the Head of Public Affairs & Policy at SIBA. Barry will share all-important information on what’s coming up from the government and its implications for brewers.
15:30-16:15	Yvan De Baets, Brasserie De La Senne Join the co-founder of one of Belgium’s finest breweries as he helps debunk myths about famous Belgian beer styles.

Time	Speaker
11:00-11:30	Engage and connect the consumer How we bridge the gap between producers and retailers in the on- and off-trade. Host: Melissa Cole James Crabtree, Morrisons Supermarkets; Ben Lockwood, Mitchells & Butlers; Giles Mountford, Hall & Woodhouse; Peter Kennelly, Pillars Brewery, Stefan Melbourne, Track Brewing Co
12:00-12:30	Taste Smarter: Build Your Beer Tasting Toolkit Come taste three beers, each with different aromatics, levels of bitterness, levels of carbonation, and learn to better calibrate your palates! Host: Natalya Watson, WSET, Founder of Virtual Beer School Beer Sommelier & Advanced Cicerone®
13:00-14:00	Cask beer: The state of play The challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Host: John Keeling Richard Bradbury, Theakston; Nick Payne, SA Brain & Co; Emma Cole, Burton Bridge and Alan Fulcher, Greene King
14:00-14:30	The human side of brewing: Putting people first for brewery success: Beer may be what customers drink, but people are what make breweries thrive. This panel explores how independent breweries can build strong, supportive cultures that retain talent, while also developing the careers and leadership skills that turn good teams into great ones. By putting people first, breweries can create longevity, resilience, and a competitive edge that goes far beyond what’s in the glass. Host: Jenn Merrick Jack Granger, Left Handed Giant; Edd Simpson, SALT Beer Factory and Ossett Brewery; Laura Rangeley, Abbeydale Brewery
15:00-15:30	Colourful Language – How should breweries refer to themselves in a maturing market? Is it a case of aiming for maximum inclusivity, or do expertise, passion and specialisation – many of ‘craft beers’ trusted bywords – still have a role to play in ensuring continued success in a shifting consumer landscape? Host: Dan Sandy Jonny Mills, Mills Brewing; Matty McMullen, Designer & Illustrator; Chris Hall, Kirkstall Brewery; Danny Tapper, Beak

Time	Speaker
10:30-11:00	Brewing a better future Oskar Vilhelmsson, Grundfos Exploring why smarter water use is essential for modern breweries, as well as an interactive session showing how and why good water handling is crucial across the entire brewery.
11:30-12:00	From Hops to Watts: Overcoming Solar Energy Hurdles in Brewing Ed Lennon, CleanEarth Energy The brewing industry is adapting to the current business landscape, and renewable energy is the next step. This workshop covers the practical challenges and solutions to implementing solar for breweries, from understanding the impact of solar energy on the business bottom line to navigating grant funding and other funding options. Ed Lennon covers the opportunities for significant energy cost reductions and decarbonisation for innovative breweries.
12:30-13:00	Consistency and Efficiency John Willetts, Barth Haas As the world’s largest supplier of hop products and services, BarthHaas offers brewers access to unique flavours and aromas, world-leading processing techniques, and innovative hop solutions designed to boost efficiency, consistency, and profitability. Through their Global Innovations Support Team (GIST), BarthHaas delivers cutting-edge training and technical support to breweries worldwide. From hands-on product trials to expert guidance, GIST helps brewers of every size unlock the full potential of modern hop technology. John will outline how BarthHaas is shaping the future of hops and brewing innovation.
13:30-14:00	The latest yeast and fermentation solutions for beverages Jim Wilson, Fermentis Jim will look at the Saf Lager range and the Biotransformation potential of SafLager™ SH-45
14:30-15:00	Cleaning in Place Belinda Jennings and Moyra Williams, Kersia Join Belinda and Moyra for a masterclass on cleaning and hygiene.
15:30-16:00	Brewing Sustainably Ellie Wood, Crisp Malt Ellie will present their new sustainable farming platform, which supports their broader environmental objectives. She will also introduce the industry-first waste malt sack recycling scheme, Return-A-Bag, and outline how they can support breweries on their journey towards a more sustainable future.

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Key Note speakers

David Jesudason is an award-winning journalist and author. Among his accolades are Beer Writer of the Year – 2023 and Be Inclusive Hospitality’s Writer of The Year – 2022. He’s the author of ‘Desi Pubs – A Guide to British-Indian Pubs, Food & Culture’ published in May 2023 while Roger Protz said was “Deeply researched and beautifully written” and Phil Mellows called “The most important volume about pubs for half a century”.

Tamar Banner is the brewmaster at To Øl Brewery in Svinninge, Denmark. A veteran of the craft beer industry, she worked for Harpoon Brewery in both Boston and Vermont, New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado, and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a master’s degree in Brewing and Distilling Science from Heriot Watt University. She also speaks regularly at beer dinners, festivals & events.

schedule at a glance

30 September

10:00 Show opens
11.00 Keynote address
14:00 Keynote address and lectures begin
17:30 Lectures, Masterclasses and Workshops end
18.00 Brewers Choice Awards Party begins
23:00 Day One ends

1 October

10:00 Show opens
10.20 Lectures, Masterclasses and Workshops begin
16:00 Lectures end
17:00 Show closes, Big Penny Social opens to the public

GET YOUR TICKETS

£ 39 inc VAT

BREWERS CONGRESS
Two-day access to lectures
Two-day access to exhibition
Unlimited beer tasting
BREWERS CHOICE AWARDS & PARTY
Bowl food & beer
Live music

POPULAR

£ 359 inc VAT

BREWERS CONGRESS
Two-day access to lectures
Two-day access to exhibition
Unlimited beer tasting
BREWERS CHOICE AWARDS & PARTY
Bowl food & beer
Live music

the venue: the big penny social

The Brewers Congress is returning to The Big Penny Social for another year! A sprawling events space featuring multiple stages and bars to help showcase, platform and celebrate the best in beer and brewing.

Big Penny Social
1 Priestley Way, London E17 6AL, United Kingdom

Big Penny Social is part of the ‘Blackhorse Beer Mile’ in Walthamstow, E17. The closest London Underground station (Blackhorse Road on the Victoria Line) is 7 minutes walk away. The nearest bus stop (Priestley Way, on London Bus Route 158) is just around the corner and there is plenty of space to lock up bikes on our forecourt if you fancy cycling here from Walthamstow Village, Leyton, Clapton or Stratford.

PARKING

There’s a public pay-and-display car park just around the corner, which can be booked via the RingGo app. It’s the Crowbond Car Park (location code 48131), located at 12 Priestley Way, London, E17 6AL.