Great British Beer Festival Canceled for 2025 Amid Financial Struggles

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), the United Kingdom’s leading real ale advocacy group, has announced the cancellation of the Great British Beer Festival for 2025. The decision comes as the organization faces significant financial challenges, including rising operational costs and stagnant membership numbers. The festival, which has been a fixture in the British beer calendar since 1977, will not take place next year, nor will its winter counterpart.

Camra communicated the news to its 145,000 members via email this week. The message outlined a “stark picture” of the group’s finances, citing increased expenses and insufficient attendance at recent events. According to Ash Corbett-Collins, Camra’s chair, this year’s festivals failed to attract enough visitors to offset the costs of running the events, accommodating volunteers, and hiring venues. As a result, the organization incurred what it described as a “substantial loss.”

The Great British Beer Festival is typically held each August and draws tens of thousands of beer enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. Attendees have the opportunity to sample around 900 different beers and participate in industry events such as the Champion Beer of Britain awards. This year’s festival took place at the NEC in Birmingham but did not meet financial expectations.

In his communication to members, Corbett-Collins said Camra is now reviewing its internal budgets and launching a three-year strategy aimed at ensuring long-term viability. He emphasized that activities would become “leaner,” with resources focused on core objectives rather than optional projects. “Doing nothing is not an option,” he wrote. “If we do not act now, the stark reality is we will not exist in the future.”

The cancellation marks only the fifth time in nearly half a century that the festival has been called off. Previous cancellations occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, due to a fire in 1984, and in 2024 when Camra’s chosen venue was unavailable.

Founded in 1971 as a not-for-profit organization, Camra has played a central role in promoting cask ale and supporting pubs throughout Britain. Over recent years, it has sought to modernize its image by addressing issues such as sexist beer names and encouraging more women to join its ranks.

Corbett-Collins acknowledged that announcing the cancellation was difficult but necessary to protect Camra’s future. He also called on government officials to provide more support for pubs and breweries facing similar pressures from rising costs and changing consumer habits. Specifically, he urged action on VAT and beer duty rates for pubs, business rates reform, and relief on national insurance contributions.

The British pub industry continues to face closures at an accelerating rate, with many establishments struggling to remain profitable amid economic uncertainty. Camra’s leadership warned that without meaningful intervention from policymakers, communities across Britain risk losing more of their local social hubs.

While other Camra festivals will continue to be evaluated for financial sustainability, there is no indication yet when or if the Great British Beer Festival will return. The organization says it remains committed to its core mission of supporting real ale and pub culture despite these setbacks.