SIBA confirms second BeerX will go ahead

The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has confirmed that it will stage its second BeerX event in Sheffield in March next year.

The five-day event, which will take place from 11-15 March, represents all aspects of British brewing and brings together brewers, licensees, hop growers, barley farmers and other suppliers, industry friends, politicians and, finally, drinkers who can enjoy some of the 300+ beers on offer at the Festival of Beer.

Julian Grocock, SIBA chief executive, said: “BeerX 2013 was a huge success and we are confident that the 2014 event will be even better. We are delighted with the programme of speakers and seminars already lined up for our delegates and confident it will become even stronger as we confirm further guests over the coming weeks.

“Our goal for BeerX is to present British beer at its best to a wide ranging audience, from industry veterans who will be engaged by our top flight speakers, to new or growing brewers who will learn from our seminars and from the invaluable opportunities to network with their peers, to drinkers – beer enthusiasts and novices alike – who will be spoilt for choice by the beers offered at the festival.”

He added: “SIBA is, we believe, the only organisation who could credibly stage an event that brings together so many different groups, each with a different perspective on British beer but united in their love for it and desire to see it prosper.”

SIBA also confirmed some of the event’s speakers, which will include Nicky Morgan, the new economic secretary to the Treasury as well as Fuller’s head brewer John Keeling and Roger Ryman of St Austell Brewery.