West End Beer Festival Returns to SWG3 Warehouse Finnieston 2026

Key Points

• Event Return: Glasgow’s West End Beer Festival (WEBF) returns on September 28 at its venue, SWG3’s Warehouse in Finnieston.
• Organisers: The event is organised by a team including Strathaven-based Up Front Brewing, co-partnered by Jake Griffin and Conor McGeady.
• Session Details: The event is structured across two main sessions on Saturday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
• Exclusive Beer: All ticket holders will receive a complimentary, custom festival glass along with an exclusive collaborative beer brewed specifically by organisers Conor McGeady and Jake Griffin.
• Featured Vendors: Food offerings include local pop-ups Smoke and Marrow and Corner Shop, alongside independent craft breweries from across Scotland and south of the border.
• Charitable Cause: The festival continues its ongoing partnership with the Drumchapel Food Bank, committing 10 per cent of all profits alongside collecting physical food donations at the site.

Finnieston (Glasgow Express) August 21,2026 – Glasgow’s uk/local/west-end/">West End Beer Festival has officially announced its return to the Scottish cultural calendar, hosting its flagship gathering at SWG3’s Warehouse space in Finnieston.As reported by Sean Murphy of Glasgow Live, organisers have confirmed that the annual event, run in partnership with Strathaven-based Up Front Brewing, will feature an extensive lineup of independent Scottish craft breweries alongside select guest breweries from south of the border. The festival is split across two distinct sessions on Saturday, with the afternoon session running from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM, followed by an evening session running from 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM.

What statements have the organisers made regarding the venue and event line-up?

As reported by Sean Murphy of Glasgow Live, Jake Griffin, owner of Up Front Brewery and partner of the West End Beer Festival, stated:

“We are delighted to return to SWG3 for the second year in a row. An amazing venue that we are proud to call the new home of WEBF.”

Addressing the special features of this year’s installment, Jake Griffin further noted:

“We have some very special guest brewers this year, and for the first year ever, Conor and I have brewed a spectacular beer that everyone will get as part of their ticket price.”

Detailing the location shift and vendor roster, festival partner Conor McGeady stated:

“As sad as we are to leave behind our old home at Hillhead Sports Club, SWG3’s warehouse and garden space has given us a new lease of life for what is always an amazing event and brilliant celebration of the Scottish beer scene.”

Highlighting the catering partnerships for the gathering, Conor McGeady added:

“This year we welcome Smoke and Marrow who have been making a name for themselves with their burger pop up at The Barras and Corner Shop will be there.”

What additional features and charitable initiatives are included in the festival?

Alongside the selection of craft beers, live DJ sets, and local food vendors, the organisers have re-established their formal charitable initiative.

As reported by Sean Murphy of Glasgow Live, the festival management confirmed that 10 per cent of all event profits will be donated directly to the Drumchapel Food Bank.

In addition to financial contributions, dedicated collection points will be set up inside SWG3’s Warehouse throughout both sessions, allowing attendees to donate non-perishable food items directly to representatives on site.

Tickets for both sessions are available through the official Ticketebo platform, with each purchase including entry, a commemorative festival glass, and the exclusive collaborative brew.

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What is the background of the Glasgow West End Beer Festival?

The West End Beer Festival was originally established as a local celebration of independent craft brewing, hosted for years at the Hillhead Sports Club on Hughenden Road in Glasgow’s West End.

Founded to provide a platform for small-batch Scottish microbreweries, the event built a dedicated regional following by bringing together local food vendors, independent brewers, and community fundraising initiatives.

Following a four-year hiatus, the festival was resurrected by the organising team—led by Strathaven’s Up Front Brewing—to support the post-pandemic recovery of Scotland’s independent brewing sector. To accommodate larger crowds and expand its production capabilities, the festival permanently transitioned from its traditional sports club grounds in Hillhead to the multi-purpose art and music complex at SWG3 in Finnieston.

How will this development affect craft beer enthusiasts and the local community?

The return of the West End Beer Festival at SWG3 directly impacts craft beer consumers, independent Scottish breweries, and the surrounding local economy in several ways:

• Independent Breweries: Small-scale Scottish and UK craft breweries gain a high-visibility platform to present limited-run brews, network with consumers, and generate direct revenue amidst ongoing economic pressures on the hospitality sector.
• Local Hospitality & Vendors: Small businesses and food pop-ups, such as Smoke and Marrow, gain direct exposure to thousands of festival attendees, boosting Glasgow’s broader food and drink industry.
• Festival Attendees: Craft beer enthusiasts gain access to exclusive, limited-edition collaborations—such as the custom brew by Griffin and McGeady—within a modern, indoor-outdoor venue equipped for larger crowds.
• Community & Charitable Impact: The Drumchapel Food Bank receives both direct monetary aid via the 10 per cent profit donation and physical inventory from attendee collections, helping support vulnerable households across the wider Glasgow area.