This St George’s Day, St George’s Hall and The Ship & Mitre announce an exciting new partnership, unveiling a new beer festival that brings together two much‑loved Liverpool institutions.
After 21 successful festivals spanning more than a decade at Hulme Hall, the expansion marks a significant new chapter for The Ship & Mitre, pairing its reputation for exceptional beer curation with one of Liverpool’s most architecturally and culturally important buildings.
Ben Garner, co‑owner of The Ship & Mitre, said:
“I’ve been at the Ship & Mitre for over 20 years now, and after more than a decade of running our own beer festivals, this feels like a natural progression.
“It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside such an iconic Liverpool venue right on our doorstep, and we’re looking forward to building a strong, long-term partnership together.”
The St George’s Hall Beer Festival will run from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September 2026, offering more than 250 beers, ciders and spirits across multiple sessions.
Visitors can expect real ales, craft beers, continental lagers, and a specialist gin and rum bar, with a lineup that blends respected national breweries with some of the region’s most exciting local names.
Confirmed breweries include Ossett/Rat Brewery, Black Lodge, Azvex, and Colbier, with further announcements to follow.
An Evolution of Independent Brewing
The Ship & Mitre, a distinctive 1930s Art Deco landmark at the Queensway Tunnel end of Dale Street, has long been celebrated for its range and knowledge of real ale, craft beer and independent brewing.
Bringing its festival to St George’s Hall represents a natural evolution for an event rooted in Liverpool’s independent beer community.
Andy Hayes, Beer Festival Manager, shared his enthusiasm for the move:
“I’m incredibly excited to be bringing something like this to such an iconic venue.
“Over the past three years organising the Wirral Beer Festival, I’ve learned a huge amount, and I can’t wait to build on that, working with both local and national breweries to put together the best possible lineup.”
Supporting Local Families and Communities
Alongside its expanded beer lineup, this year’s festival will also support Ronald McDonald House Charities, the official charity partner for 2026.
The organisation provides vital accommodation and support for families with sick or premature children, and the partnership holds particular personal significance for Andy Hayes.
Explaining the importance of the festival’s charity partner, Andy Hayes added:
“Ronald McDonald House has recently been an incredible support to my own family following the birth of our first baby, which makes this partnership especially meaningful to me.
“They do remarkable work for thousands of families with sick or premature children every year, and I’m really proud that the festival can give something back to them.”
The collaboration between these two entities ensures a high standard of curation within one of the city’s most grand environments.
For more information and tickets, visitors are encouraged to head to the official Liverpool City Hall website.
