Wanstead Beer Festival pulls its biggest crowd yet, more than 1,300
More than 1,300 people came to the fourth Wanstead Beer Festival at Christchurch on 10 October, a record, and drank most of the 50-plus beers and ciders. The proceeds go to the River Roding Trust, Growing Hope and the war memorial restoration.
Wanstead turned out in force for its beer festival and got through most of the beer. More than 1,300 people went to the fourth Wanstead Beer Festival at Christchurch Halls on 10 October, according to the Guardian series, which says most of the 50-plus beers and ciders were drunk.
That is a record. Organiser Paul Donovan told the paper that attendance is now "almost trebling" the first year's, adding: "There are certainly a lot of thirsty people in Wanstead." In his pre-festival blog he said more than 900 had come in 2025 and hoped to beat that. They have, by some distance.
The beer, and who gets the money
The special brew was Wanstead Heron, a 6.3% braggot made for the festival by Sambrook. Sambrook's head brewer John Hatch explained in Donovan's blog that, unlike mead, braggot is made with both malted barley and honey. Donovan's blog also tipped Pride of Prague, which he reckoned would let West Ham fans reminisce about the club's European Conference League win.
It is a not-for-profit event, and this year's money goes to three causes, as listed on the festival's charities page:
- River Roding Trust, which works to restore the river.
- Growing Hope, which offers free therapy for children and young people with additional needs in Redbridge.
- The restoration of Wanstead's war memorial, where the page says the bronze angel has been poorly maintained, which has stained the Portland stone, and the names are worn in places. Redbridge owns the memorial and has given the Parish of Wanstead a licence to carry out the work.
We could not find a total for this year yet. The 2025 festival raised £4,203, so the bar is set, though a bigger crowd does not automatically mean more money.
Why it matters to Wanstead
A beer festival is a modest thing to be proud of, but this one shows what the village does when it is asked to turn up for something local. Advance tickets sold out, at £10 including a commemorative pint glass, and Donovan's blog says the loyalists are building a cupboardful of them.
If you missed it, the festival's website says to check back for updates. Christchurch is also where we will be gathering for the Christmas lights switch-on, and there is plenty more in what's on in November.
