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Sheffield Year of Beer 2026

A person walking along a city street in the rain, holding an umbrella and passing a large billboard that reads “We inspire the craft of beer,” featuring bold graphic artwork on a dark wall.


Sheffield has always been a city of makers, where craftsmanship runs through everything it does – and beer is no exception. From traditional brewing roots to modern, experimental pours, creativity and quality sit at the heart of every pint.

And Sheffield isn’t just rather good at beer. For more than 40 years, the city has helped shape the craft beer movement, influencing brewers and beer lovers far beyond the UK. It’s a place that truly inspires the craft of beer.

In 2026, visitors and locals alike are invited to experience that passion firsthand and raise a glass to Sheffield’s vibrant brewing scene, with a fantastic lineup of festivals taking place throughout the year.


The celebrations culminate in the landmark 50th edition of the renowned Steel City Beer & Cider Festival, a fitting grand finale that showcases the best of Sheffield’s brewing talent and long-standing love affair with great beer and cider.

See the festivals coming up below…

Wide view of a lively indoor beer festival with rows of tables filled with people, illuminated by strings of lights and ambient coloured lighting.
 


 

2026 Beer Festivals

Neepsend Craft Beer Festival 2026

Sheffield’s freshest beer festival is back, as the team behind the award-winning Peddler Market present Neepsend Craft Beer Festival, taking place 27 - 28 February.

Indie Beer Feast 2026

Kicking off Sheffield Beer Week in style… the Indie Beer Feast is a two-day independent craft beer festival, taking place at Trafalgar Warehouse in Sheffield City Centre, 6 - 7 March.

Sheffield Beer Week 2026

Sheffield Beer Week is an annual citywide celebration spread across multiple venues throughout the city. For 2026, a whole load of beery events will be taking place once again, 9 - 15 March.

Abbeydale Road Beer Festival 2026

Abbeydale Road Beer Festival returns for its 5th year, 30 July - 2 August, for 4 days of tap takeovers and beery heaven across 12 bars.

Group of people stood outside Rumkeg at Abbeydale Live

Steel City Beer and Cider Festival 2026

Sheffield's original beer festival, celebrating its 50th year! Steel City Beer and Cider Festival is back at Kelham Island Museum 21 -24 October, with another massive selection of the best beer, cider and perry, plus live music and street food.

An aerial view of the Steel City Beer And Cider Festival.

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The craft of beer

The spirit of independent brewing in this nation has been shaped by Sheffield, inspiring a movement that has given us one of the best reputations in the world, for a sector that is also worth £1.8 billion to the UK.

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Sheffield retains ‘real ale capital of the world’ title

Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region is now home to 58 breweries, more per head of population than anywhere else in the country, producing around 1,800 different beers every year.

Close-up of several people sitting around a wooden table with multiple glasses of craft beer. One hand in the foreground holds a glass labeled ‘Saint Mars of the Desert.’ Other glasses with similar labels and varying shades of beer are visible, along with a notepad and pen on the table.

Sheffield Bottle Shops

Sheffield boasts some fantastic taprooms and bottle shops — perfect for stocking up and taking a taste of the city's beer scene home with you.

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