Hip to be hops as Sippy Fest returns to Guildhall this weekend
Derry’s Sippy Fest which takes place this weekend is a fitting showcase for local craft brewers and distillers during Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016, the event organisers have said.
Speaking as the second annual Sippy Fest gets underway in the city’s historic Guildhall on Friday, November 25th and Saturday, November 26th, from 2pm-midnight, Connor Doherty said the two-day celebration promises to be yet another LegenDerry event for Ireland’s second top Foodie Destination.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is funding craft beer production demos at the event, through the Tier 2 programme for NI Year of Food and Drink 2016. These demos fit with the Tourism NI theme for November, which is ‘Legacy and Learn to …’ The craft beer demos will feature around 15 local brewers paired with artisan food producers.
Hundreds of craft beer aficionados are expected to attend the Sippy of Culture event to discuss, taste and sample many of the best traditionally produced local craft beers available in the region.
Connor Doherty, said: “We’re delighted to be coming back to the Guildhall for the second Sippy Fest. The event has grown from small beginnings to being a focal point for brewers and artisan producers from the North West and across Northern Ireland as well as Co Donegal. It’s a fantastic opportunity for festival-goers to meet brewers to learn the craft that goes into their products and also acts as a showcase for local musical talent and as a promotional vehicle for local companies.
“The event will bring together 15 brewers from across the North of Ireland, with a large cohort of those based here in the North West who are playing a key role in driving the city’s food tourism offer. As well as promoting the great work that companies in the city are doing, Sippy Fest also introduces customers to other regional suppliers and is a fitting showcase for NI Year of Food and Drink.”
A large range of craft beers will be available to sample as well as locally produced cider, whiskey, gin and vodka produced by companies including the city’s award-winning Walled City Brewery, Northbound Brewery, and Quiet Man Whiskey as well as leading craft brewers across the region.
Connor Doherty continued: “We want people to learn from the brewers directly at the event, most of whom have studied their craft for many years. The legacy of the event is to help change people’s perceptions of beer as a mass produced product and to showcase the tastes and flavours that are available to customers across Northern Ireland, produced from the best locally sourced ingredients, with brewers on hand to guide their choices and palates.”
Mary Blake, Tourism Development Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said it was delighted to support Sippy of Culture which also helped to deliver the first ever Big Cheese and Beer Expo organised by Council in April 2016 which attracted 15,000 visitors to Guildhall Square as part of NI Year of Food and Drink’s ‘Brewing and Distilling’ month.
She continued: “Sippy Fest is now in its second year in the Guildhall and is led by a team which has developed strong links with the craft beer industry and suppliers across the region to deliver what we anticipate will be another hugely successful and positive event for the city.”
Catering will be provided by the Guild Café, who have devised a menu incorporating and complementing the beers and spirits on offer at the event which is expected to attract hundreds of visitors to the city during the weekend.
Sippy Fest is sponsored by Airporter, Quiet Man Whiskey, Doherty’s Meats and Urban Tonic Beard Oil. For further information including ticket prices, visit www.sippyfest.co.uk or its Facebook page, and to learn more about Derry City and Strabane District Council’s activities during NI Year of Food and Drink 2016, see www.derrystrabane.com/food
