The Beer by the River festival is making a big return to the heart of Wandsworth. 

After a pause in 2020 due to the pandemic, the festival is the first major event to take place at Ram Quarter in more than 18 months.

The event on Saturday (September 4) will be a chance to celebrate the area’s special brewing past, as well as to spend a day out with family and friends.

The festival takes place on the bank of the River Wandle on the site of the former Young’s brewery which Greenland has transformed into a new retail and leisure destination. 

Ram Quarter is Britain’s longest continuously operating brewery, where beermaking dates back to at least 1533 when Henry VIII was on the throne. 

Wandsworth Times: Bubbling Well Square at Ram QuarterBubbling Well Square at Ram Quarter

There will be a range of family-friendly activities, including live music, face painting and, of course, beer. 

New food and drink outlets will be spotlighted, which have opened recently onsite.

Sambrook’s Brewery, London’s oldest independent brewer, and Schooner bar will be serving takeaway drinks including cider, cocktails, wine and soft drinks alongside beer. 

There will also be delicious menus from Machi BBQ, Crust Bros and Mai Thai.

Sambrook’s will be opening the doors for the first time to a new Heritage Centre celebrating Wandsworth’s past as the home of London brewing. 

The day kicks off at 11am with a packed schedule of entertainment, including:

  • Live music from 12.30 – 18.00, with bean bags and deck chairs for people to enjoy the performances
  • Free ice-cream and face painting for children
  • A chance to see the Young’s dray horses from 12.00 – 16.00 like the ones which used to deliver beer locally from the old brewery
  • Free tours of the new Ram Quarter Heritage Centre – opening for the first time, it tells the site’s story as Britain’s longest continually running brewery.  

Sambrook’s will be running additional ticketed events including brewery tours for beer lovers on Friday 3 and Sunday 5 September. 

Duncan Sambrook, founder of Sambrook’s Brewery, said: “We can’t wait to get everyone back together for another fantastic festival.  With live music, great beer and all the action taking place in the beautiful and historic setting of Ram Quarter, it’s set to be a really special day for the whole family to enjoy.”

Tickets are required for Sambrook’s events at £5 per adult on Friday and Sunday and £6 per adult on Saturday (aged 18 or over).  Access to the wider Ram Quarter festival will be free.