From Canada to the Netherlands, Birmingham’s renowned ‘best pub crawl’ draws visitors from across the globe.
Last year, the JQ Beer Weekend attracted over 10,000 attendees in a record-breaking day for local venues, including standout independent pub The Church.
This year, from Thursday, April 16 to Saturday, April 18, thousands will once again flock to the Jewellery Quarter, choosing from 20 independent venues to enjoy.
READ MORE: Barclays Warns Customers: Travel Spending Drops Amid Economic Uncertainty
READ MORE: Santander Offers Up to £150 Cashback to Customers with Multiple Accounts
Now in its fourth year, JQ BID CEO Luke Crane sat down with BirminghamLive to discuss why the pub crawl has become such a cherished event.
“When we first launched, we had no idea how big it would become,” Crane said. “Emerging from the pandemic, our goal was to support hospitality and celebrate the many fantastic independents here.
“Now, people travel from Edinburgh, Amsterdam, and we even had a visitor from Canada contact us – he was in Birmingham at the time and absolutely loved the experience.
“Last year, I ran into a group who had moved away from Birmingham but promised to return every Beer Weekend to reunite. Pubs are about community – sharing conversations over a pint and enjoying good company.
“It’s Birmingham’s best pub crawl by far and one of the most profitable weekends for our venues. That’s exactly what we want for hospitality – to help them survive and thrive.”
Roifield Brown, owner of Temper & Brown, an independent pub, shared his experience of last year’s event after joining on a recommendation.
“The JQ Beer Weekend helps show the rest of Birmingham that hidden gems like ours exist,” Brown said. “The previous owner, Mark Rafferty, always believed it was a great opportunity to showcase the bar and he was proven right.
“Our first year participating brought in new customers eager to sample our beer.
“The Jewellery Quarter has many multi-functional businesses, and events like this draw people in. Visit Temper & Brown and then stroll over to 1000 Trades – venues like these complement each other.
“At the Button Factory, you’ll find open spaces and live music; 1000 Trades hosts monthly political debates.
“We’re proud to be a black-owned, inclusive, and independent business with a distinctive character. We’ve built on the beauty of the bar and cultivated a warm, welcoming environment.”
Attendees who visit six venues during the JQ Beer Weekend can also take home a special Gary the Gull t-shirt as a souvenir.
Most participating pubs are independently owned, and we’ve compiled a list of 20 independent pubs and bars in the JQ Beer Weekend that are must-visits for anyone looking to experience Birmingham’s vibrant pub culture.