We Are Beer co-founder tells us what to expect form the Glasgow Craft Beer Festival

Before now, the two-day showcase of the country’s finest breweries had been held in the capital city as the Edinburgh Craft Beer Festival.

As he spoke with the Glasgow Times, Greg Wells, co-founder of We Are Beer (the team behind the event), was feeling enthusiastic about a change of scene.

READ MORE: The Glasgow Craft Beer Festival finds new home at SWG3

Pictured: We Are Beer co-founder Greg Wells

He said: “It felt like the right time to move.

“The space became available at SWG3 this year which is amazing and perfect for what we do.

“Also, over the last few years, Glasgow’s local brewery scene has really kicked off with the likes of Overtone or Hidden Lane.

“It’s definitely up and coming.”

The huge industrial yard of SWG3 in Finnieston will no doubt provide the perfect setting for a festival that has light-heartedly been described as ‘a sort of beer rave’.

Pictured: The festival will be soundtracked by performances the likes of Optimo and Greg Wilson

However, it's not just a one-of-a-kind venue that makes the city a natural fit for this year’s event.

Greg said: “I suppose in a way Glasgow has a little more of an indie feel to it than Edinburgh.

“There’s brilliant music, a fantastic food scene and of course a really strong creative arts community.

“That all ties in very well with what craft beer is all about.

“A lot of the people who get into brewing tend to come from a background of working with food or playing music because they see it as a creative space to move into.

“With the festival, we wanted to bring all of these things together to create a unique experience.”

The team has done just that with an impressive line-up that’s still growing just weeks before the event is due to take place.

READ MORE: Glasgow Craft Beer Festival adds Optimo and Babos to line up

Pictured: Two time winners of the 'UK's Best Burger' El Perro Negro will be at the festival

Featuring a carefully curated mix of homegrown breweries, musicians and street food vendors like Babos and El Perro Negro, a Glasgow crowd is sure to recognise plenty of familiar faces over the weekend.

Greg said: “Craft beer is very much about keeping things local, but it’s also about taking inspiration from lots of different places.

“When decided to move to Glasgow, we started to think about places that we would go when visiting the city.

“We’re delighted with our food selection so far and for the music side of things, we’ve got the likes of Optimo who are legendary.

“We’ve built such a strong backbone for the festival, now it’s just a case of inviting people from all over the country to gather under that one roof.”

Pictured: There's a beer to suit every taste at the GCBF

With less than a month to go until they over the West End spot, Greg hopes the city will embrace the spirit of the festival and welcome it warmly to a new home.

He said: “To be honest, we’re just ready to go with it.

“The idea is that craft beer is all about discovery whether that’s a new beer, a brewery or even a flavour and this is the perfect place to come and build those first steps.

“We have beautifully clean and balanced flavours right up to really complex mixed fermentation beers that taste like natural wine.

“There’s so much variety within the world beer and that’s what we want people to come and enjoy.

“We can’t wait to come and make some new friends in Glasgow.”

The Glasgow Craft Beer Festival will take place from July 8 to 9.

For more information or to book tickets now click here