The Summer Hops Beer Festival, Wirral – incredible beers, brilliant live music, proper family fun, and the kind of community spirit that makes you feel lucky to live here.
The Summer Hops Beer Festival, Wirral, delivered in every way! Hosted at Hoylake Rugby Club from 26th to 29th June, it was four days of sunshine (mostly), good vibes, and something for absolutely everyone.
We attended the Saturday lively day session and the wholesome family fun day on Sunday. Honestly, both days had such a brilliant atmosphere. Here’s my review, and why I’m already looking forward to next year’s event.
Where is the Summer Hops Beer Festival located in Wirral?
The festival is located at Hoylake Rugby Club (Carham Lane, CH47 4FF), the venue couldn’t have been more ideal. It’s just a short walk from Hoylake Train Station. It’s a lovely spot, with loads of open space to spread out and enjoy the day.
Is there parking?
Unfortunately, there is no dedicated parking on-site at Hoylake Rugby Club. You can park at the nearby industrial estate or the Hoylake Train Station car park.
Saturday, a beer lover’s dream, live music and local food vendors
We booked the Saturday daytime session, as we were advised this was the most lively day, and the weather forecast was looking great.
(Plus, we were kid-free on the Saturday! So, of course, we had to make the most of that rarity.)
First of all, I was impressed with the setup. I’d added my tickets to my Apple Wallet, and when we arrived, we were met by a friendly volunteer who advised us on where to purchase our beer tokens.
Upon arrival, you receive a complimentary beer festival cup and have the option to purchase tokens on a card up to a value of £30. It’s a great system, as it saves a significant amount of time when you’re at the bar; there was barely ever a queue thanks to this system.
There was a marquee set up, which came in handy when the clouds made an appearance, and there was plenty of seating for catching up with friends (or resting your pint arm).
Drinks at the Summer Hops Beer Festival, Wirral
The sessions are a dream for beer enthusiasts. The festival boasted an impressive selection of drinks, supplied by The Ship and Mitre, including:
- Real ales – light, amber and dark, hand-picked from breweries near and far.
- World beers – a diverse mix of global brews with bold flavours from all over the world.
- The “Wall of Beer” – a magnificent range of keg beers from hand-picked independent breweries.
- German and Belgian bottled beers – always a treat for beer lovers who appreciate tradition.
- Cider, perry, rum, gin, and a prosecco bar – ideal if beer isn’t your thing.
- Soft drinks, alcohol-free drinks and various spirits and mixers.
Not everyone loves beer, so we were particularly impressed with the wide range of choices available.
It was the perfect place to try something new, and the bar team were super friendly and happy to recommend based on your taste. I love a Fruli, a strawberry-flavoured beer, but I also tried a few of the sour options, which I surprisingly loved.
And let’s not forget the food!
On Saturday, we tried Namak Kitchen’s chickpea and potato curry bowl and chicken tikka wrap for the first time, and they were both divine. So full of flavour and perfect alongside a cold beer and live music.
On Sunday, we had to get pizza from the Dough Bros. We used to be regular customers when they featured at the Black Toad in Hoylake, so we shared pizza with the kids at the family fun day, which was lovely.
Bangers Burgers were very busy too, the team were serving up Wirral’s famous burgers!
Live music
Live bands kept the energy high throughout the day, with everything from acoustic sets to classic covers echoing across the field.
The festival truly balanced energetic and chilled — you could be up front singing along or relaxing under the marquee with a pint.
Sunday family fun day
Sunday was just as good, but with a more relaxed, family-first vibe.
Kids ran around the open fields, played games, enjoyed face painting, inflatables and activities. There was space for everyone to sit, eat, laugh, and enjoy the last day of the festival in a relaxed, inclusive environment.
I took my son and my niece, and they both had a fantastic day. They loved the live music, browsing the toy stalls and all the treats on offer. It was a unique way to spend a Sunday with them, not far from home.
They finished the day with ice cream and huge smiles.
If you are visiting Wirral, there are family camping options
Camping tickets included entry to the Friday, Saturday and Sunday beer festival sessions. There were level grass pitches, with toilets and showers available 24/7, as well as waste and water points. Pitches here are suitable for campervans, motorhomes, tents and caravans.
A great option if you plan to visit next year, click here for more information.
More than just beer, all proceeds go to two brilliant charities
What makes Summer Hops special is the heart behind it. All proceeds go to two outstanding charities: the Paul Lavelle Foundation, which supports men affected by domestic abuse, and the North Wirral Round Table, which does a great deal of good across the community.
Final thoughts, will we attend the Summer Hops Beer Festival, Wirral next year?
Absolutely. Next year we will take more friends and family too.
Whether you’re into craft beer, good food, live music, or want something fun to do with the family. The whole setup just worked — it felt welcoming, well-organised, and easy to navigate even with kids in tow.
It felt local in the best way possible, with the buzz of a bigger event but the warmth of a community get-together.
Our tips for visiting next year:
- Take camping chairs or picnic blankets to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine when it gets busy.
- Bring some cash, especially if you visit on the family fun day. A few of the activities and stalls were cash only.
- Book your camping early if you’re planning a weekend getaway!
- Don’t skip Sunday — it’s honestly one of the loveliest family days around.
A big thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who came together to make this such a fun and meaningful weekend. We’ll be back next year.
For more information, visit www.wirralsummerhops.uk.
Were you there too? I’d love to hear what your highlights were! Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
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Went the Friday and the Sunday (popped by to say Hi). Definitely agree on the cash tip, I’m a cash guy usually so I did find myself paying for more than I planned but kids had a good day on the Sunday and Friday was raucous.
Bands were varied, some were good and some not so but I’d always encourage local bands who may be learning as they go.
I would have liked more food options but as this festival grows hopefully this will improve over time.
Hopefully see you both at the Summer Strum in a few weeks time 👍
Hi! I totally agree; more food options would enhance the experience. Hopefully, they will get more local businesses onboard as they grow.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment; they will find the feedback so valuable. It was lovely to see you, and yes, definitely