Coimbra, Portugal, Sept. 2, 2026 (Lusa) - Coimbra's Brew! craft beer festival, which takes place from 11 to 13 September, brings together 25 national and international beer brands, featuring, for the first time, a selection of beers from around 10 countries.
«The idea of bringing in international brands isn't just because it appeals to the public, who end up having access to different beers (…), but also so that the world can get to know Coimbra – after all, sometimes relationships and collaborations emerge from here that can develop further and may even lead to Coimbra-based brands undertaking collaborative projects,» said João Claro, the event's organiser, on Wednesday during the press conference to present Brew!
Over three days, the festival – now in its 6th edition – will once again bring together national and international brewing projects, street food and a musical line-up at Verd'O Parque, next to the Exploratório – Centro de Ciência Viva, in an event organised by Brew! and Coimbra city council, with the support of Águas de Coimbra.
According to João Claro, 25 beer brands will be present, two of which are international (from Finland and Spain), with the festival featuring the ‘Beer Wall' for the first time this year – a mobile structure with eight taps, dedicated to a selection of beers from around 10 countries.
«It's a beer wall where we end up having various brands, all from a single keg. The idea is to offer exclusivity and rarity,» he emphasised.
Among the beers on offer will be Mondeguipa, developed for this year's festival using rice from the Mondego region, and the winner of the Taça Mondego competition, held on 4 July.
The ticket-glass required to take part in the festival costs €5, though it is not compulsory, and the price of the beers can vary «between €2.50 and €4.50, €5 at most», said João Claro.
Among the new features of this year's festival is the first Munda Run, on the 12th, with a social aspect, along both banks of the Mondego, which includes 5- and 10-kilometre runs and a walk, starting and finishing at Verd'O Parque.
«We're trying to attract a wider audience to the festival and open it up to new areas – in this case, sport and health – to help people realise that it is possible to combine a healthy lifestyle with enjoying beer,» emphasised João Claro.
The first 300 places, which sold out within the first 24 hours, were free; the remaining places cost €5.
As for the music line-up, on the 11th, DJ Draft Punk, Folhas de Pêssego Brass Band, Hangover Band and DJ Rui Tomé will be performing.
On Saturday the 12th, the line-up includes DJ Meia Delight, My Chemical Brewmance and DJ Felipe Sanches, and the following day, DJ Pêra-Roxa and Fabior will be performing.
The organisers expect attendance to rise again this year, following last year's figures which indicated «more than 10,000 to 12,000 visitors», an estimate based on the purchase of beer cups, according to João Claro.
Although it is a beer festival, the organisers have enhanced family-friendly facilities, with a free children's play area available throughout the weekend, as well as a nappy-changing and breastfeeding area.
«It is now an inclusive environment that welcomes the whole family,» emphasised Miguel Antunes, Deputy Mayor of Coimbra.
He stated that the initiative «has already become one of the leading beer festivals at a national level», expressing a desire to «continue this growth».
Coimbra city council has allocated €65,000 in funding, which covers both Brew! and the bash — Festival Urbano, held in May and organised by Brew!.
Águas de Coimbra will be present with the AquaVan and will set up water points for participants at the festival and during the Munda Race.
MYME/AYLS // AYLS
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