Live Music at Beer fest
The London Beer Fest is back for its fourth year, taking over a section of Dundas Place this weekend. The event features a mix of craft beer, cocktails, and live music all from within Southwestern Ontario.
Organizer Paulo Tovar says one of the biggest differences between London’s festival and others across the province is cost.
“One of the unique things about our festival is free admission,” he said. “Most of the beer fests in other cities charge at the door. We don’t.”
This year’s event brings together 15 breweries and 6 distilleries, with a range of drinks from popular IPAs and lagers to newer trends like ready-to-drink cocktails. While sours were popular in previous years, Tovar says IPAs remain a steady favorite among attendees.
The festival, held on Block 2 of Dundas Place, runs Friday and Saturday and includes performances by local and out-of-town bands.
Organizing an event of this scale doesn’t come without challenges. According to Tovar, one of the biggest hurdles this year was getting reliable power set up on the street.
People Enjoying the Games
“We want to grow year after year,” he said. “Maybe one day we’ll use two blocks instead of one. London is a great destination for beer lovers.”
The team is also focused on ensuring the event’s safety. Security staff are on site and bartenders are trained to cut off service to intoxicated guests. Organizers say they arrange transportation for anyone who needs help getting home safely.
The festival also offers non-alcoholic options, including mocktails, and possibly alcohol-free beer although availability may vary among vendors.
With beer, food, and live music, organizers say they hope the event continues to grow in future years but for now, their priority is making sure this weekend runs smoothly.
