Celebrating 10 Years: Looking Back at Our International Beer Festival
Ten years of Bullhouse deserved a proper celebration.
Last weekend, we took over CS Lewis Square for our first ever beer festival, bringing together some of the best independent breweries from across Ireland, the UK and Europe to celebrate a decade of brewing, community and independent beer.
With around 2,000 tickets sold, over 7000 pints poured, an incredible lineup of breweries, great food, live music and thousands of beer lovers joining us, it was the perfect way to mark the milestone.
A Celebration of Independent Brewing
From the beginning, Bullhouse has been part of a wider community of independent breweries who continue to push brewing forward.
For our 10th birthday, we wanted to bring as many of those breweries together as possible. The result was a lineup of 20 independent breweries from across Ireland, the UK and Europe, each pouring beers that reflected the quality, creativity and collaboration that make the independent beer scene so special.
A First for Northern Ireland
The festival also played host to the first-ever Indie Beer Northern Ireland competition, delivered in partnership with SIBA (the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates).
It was a significant moment for independent brewing here, giving Northern Irish breweries the opportunity to have their beers judged alongside their peers as part of a recognised competition. With Bullhouse founder William Mayne currently serving as one of SIBA's elected Regional Directors, ensuring Northern Ireland's independent breweries have a strong voice within the organisation has been an important focus, and it was brilliant to see the competition finally take place on home soil.
We're also delighted to say that Merc Bro NEIPA took home first place in its category.
And before anyone asks... yes, the judging really was blind.
7,700 Pints Later
Over the course of the festival, more than 7,700 pints were poured across the brewery lineup, giving people the chance to explore everything from fresh hop-forward IPAs to classic lagers, stouts, sours and mixed fermentation beers.
Whether you came with a tasting plan or simply followed recommendations from the brewers behind the bars, it was brilliant to see so many people discovering something new while supporting independent beer.
More Than Just Great Beer
Of course, beer was only part of the festival.
CS Lewis Square was filled with some of Belfast's best street food vendors, while local musicians kept the atmosphere going throughout the day. Together with the brewery lineup, it made for a festival that celebrated independent businesses in every sense.
Giving Back
As part of our partnership with Newforge Taggers, 10% of all ticket sales from the festival will be donated to the club, supporting their work providing inclusive tag rugby opportunities for people with learning difficulties.
It's important to us that our biggest celebration of the year also gives something back to the local community.
Thanks
To everyone who bought a ticket, travelled to Belfast, poured beer, served food, played music, thank you. And whether you've just discovered Bullhouse and independent beer or you've been with us from the start, thank you for your support and here's to the next ten years.
