“The idea of ​​bringing international brands is not only because it appeals to the public, who end up having access to different beers (...), but it is also so that the world gets to know Coimbra - then, sometimes, relationships and collaborations emerge from here that can extend and can even lead Coimbra brands to do collaborative projects,” said João Claro, promoter of the event, during the Brew! presentation press conference today.

National and international beer

Over three days, the festival, in its 6th edition, will once again bring together national and international brewing projects, street food, and a musical program at Verd’O Parque, next to the Exploratório – Centro de Ciência Viva, in an event organised by Brew! and by the Coimbra City Council, with the support of Águas de Coimbra.

According to João Claro, 25 beer brands will be present, two of them international (Finland and Spain), and the festival will feature, for the first time this year, the ‘Beer Wall’, a mobile structure with eight taps dedicated to a selection of beers from about 10 countries.

“It’s a wall of beers where we end up having several brands, with just one barrel. The idea is to bring exclusivity, rarity,” he emphasised.

Rice beer

Among the beers represented will be Mondeguipa, developed for this edition of the festival from Mondego rice, and the winner of the Taça Mondego competition, held on 4 July.

The entry fee to participate in the festival costs five euros, is not mandatory, and beer prices can vary “between 2.50 and 4.50 euros, five euros at most,” said João Claro.

Among the new features of this edition is the first Munda Race, on the 12th, with a social aspect, along both banks of the Mondego River, which includes five- and ten-kilometre races and a walk, starting and finishing at Verd’O Parque.

“We try to attract more people to the festival and open it up to new aspects, in this case sports and health, even to understand a little that it is possible to combine a healthy lifestyle with beer consumption,” highlighted João Claro.

The first 300 registrations, sold out in the first 24 hours, were free; the others cost five euros.

Musical Program

Regarding the musical program, on the 11th, DJ Draft Punk, Folhas de Pêssego Brass Band, Hangover Band and DJ Rui Tomé will perform.

On Saturday, the 12th, the program includes DJ Meia Delight, My Chemical Brewmance, and DJ Felipe Sanches; on the following day, DJ Pêra-Roxa and Fabior will perform.

The organisation expects participation to grow again this year, after last year's data showed "more than 10,000, 12,000 unique visits," an estimate based on cup purchases, according to João Claro.

Festival for all ages

Despite being a festival dedicated to beer, the organisation has reinforced family-friendly conditions, with a free children's area and a diaper-changing and breastfeeding area available during the weekend.

"It is currently an inclusive environment, which allows the participation of the whole family," highlighted the vice-mayor of Coimbra, Miguel Antunes.

The vice-president of the municipality said the initiative "is already becoming one of the benchmarks for beer festivals at the national level," and expressed a desire to "continue this growth."

The Coimbra City Council granted support of €65,000, which includes Brew! and also the bash — Urban Festival, held in May, promoted by Brew!.

Águas de Coimbra will be present with the AquaVan and by installing drinking water points for participants at the festival and the Munda Race.