Guelph's Because Beer festival has a new date and a new home. The second annual Because Beer Guelph was set for Oct. 3 at Riverside Park, but organizer Sonic Unyon has moved it to May 1, 2027, outdoors at Spring Mill Distillery, with The Rural Alberta Advantage headlining. GuelphToday reported the change on Nov. 3, about a month after the original date went by.

What changed from the October plan?

The Riverside Park bill listed The Rural Alberta Advantage, Shebad and The Redhill Valleys. The new lineup keeps the headliners and The Redhill Valleys, adds Born in the Eighties and The Flamingos, and divides the day into two sessions. The afternoon runs 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with The Flamingos and Born in the Eighties. The evening runs 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with The Redhill Valleys and The Rural Alberta Advantage.

According to the festival's website, the evening session features The Rural Alberta Advantage and The Flamingos. Visitors can sample drinks from dozens of craft brewers, cideries, and cocktail and spirit vendors.

Why you should go

  • A rescheduled headliner set: The Rural Alberta Advantage, first booked for October, now closes the evening session.
  • Two ways to spend the day: An afternoon built around The Flamingos and Born in the Eighties, and a separate evening session with the headliners.
  • Drinks beyond beer: Dozens of craft brewers, cideries, and cocktail and spirit vendors are expected.
  • Earlier tickets still count: The event page says tickets bought for the original date remain valid for the new one.
  • A new outdoor setting: The festival moves from Riverside Park to the grounds outside Spring Mill Distillery.

What to know before you go

Every session ticket provides a single tasting cup along with two tokens for four-ounce samples, and guests can buy extra tokens at the event. Because Beer is a licensed 19+ event, so government-issued photo ID is required at the gate. No babies, children or pets are allowed, apart from certified service dogs. Smoking and vaping are banned on festival grounds, and guests cannot leave and re-enter. The brief gives no ticket prices, so check with the organizer before buying.

FAQ

When is Because Beer Guelph 2027?

It is scheduled for May 1, 2027, at Spring Mill Distillery in Guelph, Ontario, with an afternoon session from 2 to 6 p.m. and an evening session from 7 to 11 p.m.

What does a ticket include?

Each session ticket includes one tasting cup and two four-ounce sampling tokens; additional tokens can be purchased onsite. Prices are not stated in the announcement, so confirm with the organizer.