How to enjoy Bristol Craft Beer Festival at home 

Pro tip: keep your beer fridge nearby. It saves trips and keeps the brews fresh. And if you have pets or kids around, plan a corner where they can play safely away from the tasting zone. 

Alright, you’ve got the vibe down. Now, let’s talk about the main event — the beer. 

Curating your beer festival lineup 

When it comes to recreating the Bristol Craft Beer Festival at home, the heart of the experience is the beer itself. Crafting your own tasting menu of incredible brews is easier than ever. Order festival beers online, explore your local breweries, or try out a UK craft beer delivery subscription box. 

Start by hitting up your local craft beer stores or bottle shops. These places often stock hidden gems and limited releases you won’t find in supermarkets. Don’t be shy — ask the staff for recommendations based on your preferred styles, whether you’re into hop-heavy IPAs, smooth stouts, or sour ales bursting with fruit.  Try to choose beers from Bristol’s best brewers like Left-Handed Giant, Wiper and True, or Arbor Ales (if you’re looking for where to drink craft beer in Bristol, these are your go-to spots by the way), then throw in a few wildcards from other cities or countries to keep things interesting. Aim for variety in style, strength, and flavour so your home festival has that sense of exploration. 

Want to take it global? Go international by ordering from craft beer distributors that specialise in rare and imported selections.   

How to create your own beer tasting flight

Now that you’ve got your beer selection sorted, it’s time to present it like a pro. Instead of popping open bottles at random, create a structured tasting flight. Think of it as your festival’s main lineup, where each beer gets its moment to shine. 

Start by arranging your beers from lightest to strongest. This helps preserve your palate and allows each flavour to come through without being overshadowed by the one before it. For example, begin with a crisp pilsner, move to a pale ale, then hit a juicy NEIPA, a sour or saison, and end with a rich porter or stout. 

Pour small amounts into beer tasting glasses ideally around 100–150 ml each. If you don’t have proper tasting glasses, wine glasses or tumblers will do the trick. The goal is to swirl, sniff, and sip like a true connoisseur. 

Print out or handwrite little tasting cards that include:  

Name of the beer 

Brewery 

ABV (alcohol by volume) 

Flavour notes 

Pairing suggestions  

Encourage guests to jot down their thoughts, rate the beers, or even vote for a “Best in Fest.” You can use chalkboards, sticky notes, or even digital apps to log your tasting journey.  

Pairing food with beer like a pro 

No beer festival is complete without the food — delicious, greasy, creative food. Whether you’re going for beer snacks or full-on meals, the right pairings can seriously elevate your tasting experience. 

Here’s a quick go-to pairing guide: 

IPAs: the hoppy bitterness of IPAs pairs well with spicy foods (think buffalo wings, jalapeño poppers, or even spicy Indian street food). 

Stouts & porters: rich and roasty, these go great with BBQ meats, grilled mushrooms, or chocolate desserts. 

Pilsners & lagers: pilsners and lagers are versatile and match nicely with fried foods, seafood, or salty snacks like pretzels and crisps. 

Sours & Saisons: these pair beautifully with cheese boards, tangy salads, and fruity desserts. 

If you’re hosting friends, turn it into a mini food fest. Create tasting stations or a grazing board loaded with meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits. Label each section with a suggested beer pairing. 

Don’t want to cook? Hit up your local food trucks or restaurants for takeaway options that fit the vibe. Some breweries even offer meal kits or food pairings with their beers — worth checking out! 

Check out our beer and food pairing tips for more inspiration!  

Beer festival party games, music, and decor 

If you’re hosting an actual gathering, go full tilt. The more interactive and vibrant you make it, the more it’ll feel like the real thing.  

Games and activities: 

Beer Pong with craft beers (use small pours!) 

Blind taste test challenge 

Beer-themed trivia 

Label design contest (guests create labels for imaginary brews) 

An area for drinking card games  

Music and ambiance: 

Set up Bluetooth speakers and create a playlist that mimics a festival lineup (indie, funk, acoustic, or EDM, depending on your taste). 

Dim the lights, add string lights or neon signs for that “festival at dusk” mood.  Decor: 

Hang beer banners or flags 

Use empty bottles or growlers as vases or table markers 

Set up a “tasting station” or DIY bar where guests can serve themselves 

Don’t forget safety — if people are drinking, offer rideshares, stayover options, or alcohol-free brews like Heineken 0.0 for designated drivers.  

Of course, your BLADE deserves a prime spot. Whether you’re hosting indoors or outdoors, place your BLADE somewhere easily accessible, where guests can pour their own pints like true beer connoisseurs.  

Indoors, set it up on a sturdy kitchen counter, home bar, or side table near your tasting station. Make sure there’s enough room for guests to gather around without crowding the space.  

Outdoors, choose a shaded area like a patio table or under a gazebo to keep the machine cool and out of direct sunlight. Plug it into a nearby outlet with a weather-safe extension cord and place a drip tray or mat underneath to catch any spills. Surround it with your beer lineup, tasting cards, and a few glasses, and your BLADE becomes the ultimate self-serve tap station! 

Each keg serves 14 pints, and with crowd-pleasing brands like Heineken, Brixton, Birra Moretti, Lagunitas IPA, and Cruzcampo, it’s a perfect addition to your DIY beer festival. 

Explore our full selection of BLADE Starter Packs and BLADE kegs to bring the best of the beer world to your backyard craft beer festival at home. 

Planning your next beery adventure 

The Bristol Craft Beer Festival is a big one, but it’s far from the only one. The UK (and the world!) is full of epic craft beer events waiting to be explored. 

Further highlights include: 

London Craft Beer Festival 

Manchester Beer and Cider Festival 

Great British Beer Festival 

Indie Beer Feast (Sheffield) 

International picks include Oktoberfest in Germany, Great American Beer Festival in Denver, or BeerFest Asia in Singapore. 

 
Missing out on events beer festivals doesn’t mean missing out on all the fun. With a bit of creativity, some great beers, and the right vibe, you can throw your own home beer festival that really does rival the real deal.