Beer and cider festival season has officially arrived but unfortunately, the British weather hadn't got the memo by the time we ventured into the rain on Friday. We'd been looking forward all week to a few delicious pints in the evening sun, but as we trudged through puddle-soaked pavements to Propyard, we had to accept that it would be a soggier experience than anticipated.
Thankfully the venue in St Philips Marsh is only about a 15-minute walk from our bus stop at Old Market, inside a former MOD torpedo testing factory that has been transformed into an exhibition and events space. Just past Motion, the massive warehouse space is in a largely industrial area that's set for huge changes as part of the Temple Quarter project.
This was the third time it had hosted 'Hopyard', a two-day festival bringing together some of Bristol's best independent breweries, as well as others around the UK. Although the event had been marketed with sunny images from the vast outdoor courtyard, we were grateful to find that all the stalls and tables had been set up inside, sheltered from the downpour.
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Early bird tickets were priced at £40 for each of the five-hour sessions, which included all drinks. Each festival-goer was given a small glass on entry and could take their pick of stalls to fill it up at, whether they just wanted to ask for a taste or get a full glass of their favourite.
The choice was initially pretty overwhelming, especially with all the familiar favourites represented. Wiper & True, Short Odds, Little Martha, Left Handed Giant, Yonder, Arbor, Lost and Grounded, Ciderbox, Electric Bear, Fierce & Noble were among the local names on the line-up, joined by London-based Jubel, Hackney Church and Brick as well as Manchester's Cloudwater and Beak Brewery from Lewes.
Usually I stick to a juicy IPA, and I tried some delicious ones, but the best part about a beer festival is trying something you wouldn't necessarily order in a pub - you don't have to commit to a pint or worry about wasting money if you're not a fan. There were some adventurous choices on offer, including a 'berry ice cream' sour beer and a Panettone-flavoured stout, and everyone behind the stalls was so knowledgeable about explaining the flavour profiles and making recommendations.
For our first drink we did brave the courtyard, joining a few other groups who were determined to have an al fresco experience thanks to some sturdy gazebos. There was something quite therapeutic about hearing the rain hammering on the ceiling of the canopy, and we also got to have a go on the ping pong table and sniff out the food kiosks serving up loaded nachos, burgers and other street food-style dishes.
Food was obviously an additional cost but given that you pay upwards of £30 these days for other 'bottomless' events, even a chain restaurant brunch with the cheapest Prosecco, the ticket price seemed reasonable to me especially given the quality and variety of drinks on offer. You also get a gig thrown in as there were DJ sets throughout, with Massive Attack's Daddy G headlining our session as part of Bristol Hi Fi.
Lots of people got up on the dancefloor as the night progressed but others preferred to bob along at their table, or peruse the taps for their next tipple. Despite the unlimited booze it was a really chilled-out atmosphere rather than a rowdy one - there was even a very well-behaved dog snoozing on the floor at the table next to us.
The evening sped by and it was soon time for last orders, probably just about the time that people were beginning to pile into Motion for a night of clubbing. Some beer festivals let you take the glass home but, as someone stacked with an armful of them found out from an amused security guard, that wasn't the case here.
Hopyard has finished but keep an eye on Propyard's events page and socials for more upcoming events, and check out our guide to more upcoming beer and cider festivals elsewhere in Bristol here.
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