More than just showcasing the new wave of beer, the Warsaw Beer Festival has assumed an ambassadorial role when presenting the new face of the city…
More than just showcasing the new wave of beer, the Warsaw Beer Festival has assumed an ambassadorial role when presenting the new face of the city…
Much can change in a decade: people, places, trends. In many respects, the Warsaw Beer Festival has mirrored these changes, and at times even led them. From its beginnings in a stuffy, distant hall, it has grown in tandem with the country’s craft beer scene, whilst also bulldozing through pioneering ideas reflective of the capital’s own naked creativity. In the process, it has become more than just the biggest gathering of beer geeks in the nation and grown to become a bucket list event that none should miss.
“I think we’re a calling card for Warsaw,” says festival mastermind Paweł Leszczyński. “When you think of a beer festival, it’s natural to think of guys with beards and beer bellies, but I think we’re showing a new way forward. Sure, the beer lover has everything they could dream of, but we’ve now become more.”
By his estimation, the nirvana that awaits craft geeks will reveal 1,400 beers in all, more than 300 of which will be premiers. Supplying these will be a mix of domestic names, ranging from under-the-radar nanobreweries from the back-of-beyond all the way to the revolutionary gamechangers. “All the brewers will be bringing their A-game,” promises Paweł, “it’s inconceivable you’ll be served a bad beer!”
That much is known and expected. More outside the box has been the festival’s approach to everyone else. “Holding a festival is basically a bigger version of organising a party,” says Paweł. “You need to think of everyone. It can’t be too quiet, it can’t be too loud, everyone needs to feel welcome.” To reach this end, what was born as a beer fest has in fact become a poster child for Warsaw itself.
“This might not be the most beautiful city in the world,” continues Paweł, “but it’s definitely special – it’s got a real vibe about it.” More than that, it presents the very best that the city has to offer…
(And Don’t Say Beer!)
Food and drink: a natural combo, right? More than just dude food for the beer sloshing bro, the WBF has sourced the very best food trucks in the country. “They used to see this as just another event,” says Paweł. “Now, we’re seeing they’re putting in as much effort as the brewers to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique.” Among others, you’ll be trying Warsaw’s best Mexican from Senor Lucas, the hearty tastes of Slovak Street Food, pouches of oriental goodness from Tsongkha Momo and the epic ramen of Ramen-Ya.
Try a cure for wellness: of the recent big hits, additions such as a mobile sauna have won a cult following all of their own. “The Finns that visit the festival have gone crazy for it,” laughs Paweł. But there’s more: beer yoga, a fun run with prizes for the wackiest costume, as well as more serious-minded cancer awareness stands. “We love fun, but we need to remember to look after ourselves,” says Paweł.
Shop till you drop! The craft beer movement has grown in tandem with the artisanal industry. The WBF does not forget this and spotlights local producers through a range of stalls showcasing, for example, the cult socks of Kabak, Wild Willy’s beef jerky, the wicked hot sauces of Dziki Bill, and the locally-inspired comic books of Praga Gada. These vendors are joined by a couple of dozen other craftsmen, designers and producers. “Like the breweries, they all have their own story,” says Paweł.
The music sounds better with YOU! For their tenth year, WBF have swayed ten breweries into producing specialty beers. But more than that, they’ve pressganged a load of musicians, DJs and bands to write up tunes to match with these beers. “Everything from rock to hip hop,” says Paweł. Enjoy these with the relevant beer at the fest’s silent disco.
Be the best… OR DIE TRYING! Spicy food was once viewed with suspicion in PL, but now a new generation are loving the true taste of life. For the fourth time, head to the main stage on Friday (8 p.m.) to partake in the hot food challenge. Go on, you know you want to!
It’s paw-some! The festival has long been dog-friendly, but things went one woof further last edition with the appearance of budding members of the Marki Fire Brigade’s Search & Rescue team. Learn more about these four-legged heroes as they themselves get accustomed to crowds as part of their training.
Meet, greet, repeat. The festival, says Paweł, is nothing without the people. Using glasses embossed with the phrase ‘Ask me what I’m drinking’, social connections are to be expected. “This time though,” he says, “we’ve added something else and invented a simple card game that you can play with strangers while waiting in a queue.”
Home is where the heart is. Hosting the event since it’s second outing, the Legia stadium has proved the ideal bedfellow for the festival: ideal for handling large groups while providing for the little things in life such as, well, clean toilets. Being here, you’re at a legendary venue that has seen some of Warsaw’s finest sporting moments.
Expect the unexpected. Aside from the events listed above, the WBF like to throw a few curveballs to keep YOU entertained. This episode will be no different. “We used to visit other festivals to get ideas,” says Paweł, “now other festivals are copying us.” Consider this not just a market leader for one of Europe’s most exciting craft scenes, but a role-model for other mass events.
The festival isn’t just in Warsaw, it IS Warsaw! A microcosm of all that is good about the city, the WBF puts its best foot forward to present the best of Warsaw’s culture, craft, people, food and underlying spirit. And yes, the very best of the country’s beer.
What: 17th Warsaw Beer Festival
Where: Legia Stadium (Łazienkowska 3)
When: March 21st to March 23rd
Web: warsawbeerfestival.com
Tickets: available online from PLN 25 (single-day pass) to PLN 45 (three-day). Premium and super premium packages also available from PLN 90.
