Manchester Beer and Cider Festival returns to Manchester Central for a second year. The festival will again feature over 600 beers, ciders and perries. As well as a massive selection of cask conditioned craft ales, key-keg conditioned ales and traditional ciders & perries there will bottled and draught beers from around the world. There will be more space and more seating.
The festival is organised by the Greater Manchester Branches of The Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).
If the information you are looking for isn’t here – try our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Opening Times
Thursday 19th January 2017: Noon – 10.30pm
Friday 20th January 2017: Noon – 10.30pm
Saturday 21st January 2017: Noon – 7pm
There will be an invite only session for the trade Wednesday 18th January: 5pm. If you are in the trade or press and wish to apply for tickets, click here. CAMRA members can gain entry to this session on production of a valid membership card.
Entry Prices
Thursday 19th January 2017: £4 + £3 glass hire (refundable)
Friday 20th January 2017: £7 + £3 glass hire (refundable)
Saturday 21st January 2017: £7 + £3 glass hire (refundable)
Concessions:
Senior citizens, Armed Forces (including British Legion), Emergency Services Personnel, NHS Staff, Full Time Students with valid identification
£1 off all sessions. Max one discount per entry.
Advance tickets:
Advance tickets are available from 9am on Monday 1st August. Click here to purchase.
Groups & Hospitality:
MBCF 2017 can offer discounted packages to large groups and tailor-made packages suitable for entertaining your customers, clients or staff.
For more information & group ticket packages see our Groups & Corporate Hospitality page.
Metrolink promotion:
In conjunction with our transport partners Metrolink, holders of a valid Metrolink ticket for the day of entry can obtain £1 off Non-Members prices. Only one discount per entry.
Glass purchase or hire
To purchase drinks at the festival, you must have an appropriately lined glass. You’ll pay for your glass on entry and collect it once inside.
Festival glasses will be available in 2 sizes:
2/3 pint Schooners (with 1/3, 1/2 pint lines)
1 pint conical glass (with 1/3, 1/2 & 1 pint lines)
You may keep your glass as a souvenir or return it to the glasses stand on exit for a refund.
Children
Accompanied children will be admitted free and may remain until 7pm daily. Under 18s must remain under supervision at all times. Under 18s may not approach the bars.
Getting There
For directions and public transport info, see our “Getting Here” page.
Disabled visitors
Manchester Central is fully accessible. The Manchester Beer & Cider Festival only occupies ground floor levels at the venue.
Visitors who require the presence of a carer should buy tickets for themselves for the relevant session as normal. A carer may accompany you and will be admitted free of charge subject to proof of carer status. Carers wishing to buy beer & cider must hire a glass as other visitors do. if you have special needs, please contact the organiser via our contact page.
For further information on accessibility see www.manchestercentral.co.uk/accessibility
Accommodation
Manchester has many thousands of hotel rooms available. For more information on accommodation visit www.visitmanchester.com/stay/
One of the closest hotels to the festival is Jury’s Inn on Great Bridgewater Street which has 256 rooms available. Festival goers can obtain 20% of the Jury’s Inn room rates when booking at www.jurysinns.com – just enter the promotion code “promotions” when booking.