5 Things You Need For a Successful Beer Festival

Beer festivals have become a staple in the British social calendar, drawing crowds eager to sample craft ales, soak in a buzzing atmosphere and enjoy an afternoon or weekend of relaxed entertainment. Hosting a successful beer festival, whether it’s a local community event or a ticketed celebration of brewing culture, requires careful planning and the proper setup. At BE Event Hire, we have supported hundreds of outdoor and indoor festivals with reliable, flexible furniture hire. Here are five essentials to consider when planning a beer festival that’s safe, smooth and enjoyable for everyone.

Licensing, Logistics and Legal

One of the first and most crucial aspects of planning any public event involving alcohol is ensuring all legal and safety requirements are correctly in place. You will need to secure the appropriate temporary event notice (TEN) or licence from your local council, depending on your location and the scale of your festival. It is vital to check the requirements well in advance to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Age checks, ID verification and alcohol service policies should be communicated to all vendors and volunteers. Crowd control barriers, pedestrian fencing and security staff may be necessary, depending on your site layout and expected attendance. First aid support and a designated lost child point are also wise additions for larger events.

At BE Event Hire, we can provide not just the furniture but also café barriers and other crowd control systems to help you manage your site effectively and keep foot traffic flowing comfortably.

Location, Timing and Weather

The success of your beer festival often hinges on choosing the right venue and timing. Outdoor spaces, such as fields, parks, or pub gardens, are popular choices, particularly in late spring or summer. Ensure the location has sufficient space to accommodate your stallholders, furniture, and guests, as well as parking and access for setup vehicles.

Consider other events happening nearby that might clash or compete for attention. Check for any seasonal access issues, such as waterlogged fields or road closures, that may impact your delivery and attendance. It is also worth securing a back-up indoor space or marquee, especially for multi-day events or those held earlier in the year when the British weather can be less predictable.

Tables, Chairs and Beer Friendly Furniture

One of the most overlooked aspects of any festival is the importance of good furniture. Beer festivals require functional, robust, and easy-to-clean tables and chairs that can withstand both high foot traffic and outdoor use. Trestle tables are the classic choice, providing generous surface space for pints, tasting paddles and shared platters. Paired with wooden benches or stacking chairs, they offer a familiar, fuss-free festival layout that works just as well for seated areas as it does for food court zones or beer tents.

At BE Event Hire, we supply furniture to events of all sizes, from local charity days to large-scale weekend festivals. Our tables and benches are designed for quick setup and takedown, and we offer flexible delivery times to fit your event schedule. Whether you’re creating a large communal seating area or need furniture for VIP lounges and tasting rooms, we can tailor our solutions to match your brief.

Catering and Hydration Essentials

No beer festival is complete without something to eat. Depending on the type of event you are planning, you may consider inviting food trucks, setting up street food stalls, or providing traditional pub-style catering. Try to include a range of dietary options and remember that food can play an essential role in supporting responsible drinking.

It is also essential to offer non-alcoholic drinks and access to free water throughout the site. Hydration stations or jugs on trestle tables can be an effective way to keep guests refreshed and reduce plastic waste. Consider incorporating shaded areas or covered seating to provide people with space to take a break, especially if your festival takes place during the hotter months.

Atmosphere, Branding and the Guest Experience

A memorable beer festival is more than just a row of stalls and a stack of pint glasses. Consider how you want your event to feel. Is it a rustic community affair with local brewers and bunting, or a premium ticketed tasting experience with curated menus and matching glassware?

The festival furniture, signage and layout all play a part in setting the tone. Branded banners, chalkboard menus, stage areas, and lighting can help you shape the experience and guide people through the site. Merchandise stands, games, and photo-friendly props also provide guests with more activities to enjoy beyond just drinking.

Furniture hire can support this too. Use bar stools and high tables for pop-up tasting zones, and soft seating for chill-out spaces. Our hire stock includes hundreds of options to help you tailor the look and feel of your event without the need for permanent purchases.

Let’s Bring Your Beer Festival to Life

Planning a beer festival takes attention to detail and a clear understanding of your audience. With the right mix of preparation, creativity and professional support, it can be a fantastic way to connect people, promote great products and raise your event profile.

At BE Event Hire, we are proud to support organisers across the UK with dependable, well-maintained furniture hire and expert advice, built on years of experience. Whether you need fifty trestle tables for a local beer crawl or a comprehensive outdoor setup for a major ticketed event, we’re ready to help.