Emma Mykytyn Waitrose launches free Indie Beer tastings across England & Wales
Waitrose is inviting customers to discover beers from independent British breweries with a series of free in-store tasting events taking place from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th July 2026.
The tastings will be held at 35 Waitrose stores and will feature beers from Tap Social, Burning Sky and Lost & Grounded.
The event forms part of Waitrose’s support for the Indie Beer campaign, which aims to make it easier for shoppers to identify beers produced by genuinely independent breweries.
The section excludes beer brands owned by large multinational brewing companies and instead highlights products from independent producers.
Which beers can visitors try?
Three different beers will be available during the tasting events.
Lost & Grounded Keller Pils
Keller Pils is an unfiltered German-style lager brewed with additional hops. This gives the beer a more aromatic and dry character than many standard lagers.
Tap Social Time Better Spent
Time Better Spent is a multi-award-winning hazy IPA with juicy flavours of mango and passion fruit.
Burning Sky Arise
Arise is a bright and balanced pale ale with aromas of peach and pine.
Neil Walker, Indie Beer campaign coordinator and beer sommelier, said the tastings offer shoppers an opportunity to try beers from some of the UK’s leading independent breweries.
“The best beers in the UK are made by independent breweries, and this exclusive tasting event in Waitrose is your chance to try three beers from brewers at the top of their game,” he said.
“These superb British beers really do offer something for everyone to enjoy.”
Waitrose backs independent British breweries
Waitrose Beer and Cider Buyer Jourdan Gabbini said the retailer’s customers are increasingly interested in discovering modern beers from independent producers.
“I am delighted that we will be the first UK supermarket to officially support the Indie Beer campaign,” she said.
“Our beer-loving customers are always looking for new beers from innovative, high-quality and exciting independent breweries, and this signposting allows us to champion those producers who do it so well.
“I am proud to continually provide our customers with refreshing, modern options in our beer range at Waitrose, while also supporting genuine British independent breweries such as Tap Social, Round Corner, The Kernel and Burning Sky.”
The supermarket has also expanded its wider beer selection, placing a greater focus on products from local and independent breweries.
What is the Indie Beer campaign?
The Indie Beer campaign was launched to help shoppers understand which beer brands remain independently owned.
Research commissioned through YouGov found that 75% of those surveyed believed consumers could be misled when purchasing beer from breweries that were previously independent but are now owned by major international drinks companies.
Among beer drinkers, the figure increased to 81%.
The campaign has encouraged breweries, pubs and retailers to use the term “Indie Beer” rather than “craft beer”, arguing that the word “craft” does not necessarily mean a brewery is independently owned.
More than 700 independent breweries across the UK are now involved in the campaign. Awareness is also growing among younger drinkers, with 31% of beer drinkers aged between 18 and 24 reportedly familiar with the initiative.
Waitrose stores hosting Indie Beer tastings
The free tasting events will take place at the following Waitrose stores:
Abergavenny, Abingdon, Altrincham, Banbury, Bath, Beaconsfield, Beckenham, Berkhamsted, Bloomsbury, Burgess Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Canterbury, Chichester, Cirencester, Colchester, Egham, Great Malvern, Horley, Horsham, Hove, John Barnes, Kenilworth, Kingston, Maidenhead, Nailsea, Newark, Otley, Reading, Richmond, Salisbury, Sevenoaks, Southend, Stroud and Welwyn Garden City.
The Indie Beer tastings run from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th July 2026. Availability and tasting times may vary between stores.
