(Courtesy SIBA /Saxon Packaging)

Following an emergency UK government meeting, the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has confirmed that this week’s BeerX UK event will be going ahead.

Here’s the deal…

SIBA (think the Brewers Association but in England) has confirmed that BeerX UK the UK’s largest independent craft brewing trade show (think the Craft Brewers Conference with a British accent) will go on in Liverpool this week as planned in spite of COVID-19 health concerns…

After yesterday’s emergency COBRA meeting in the UK, the chief medical officer made the recommendation the there was no need to restrict large public gatherings “or move to phase two of a plan which would include social distancing measures” (which is British for what?).

This from SIBA Chief executive, James Calder…

“We are working with our event partners, the Liverpool ACC and closely following Government guidance on a day by day basis. We would encourage all brewers, suppliers, judges and delegates to stick to their plans and take sensible measures.”

BeerX is taking extra steps to ensure the risk of passing on infection remains low. But having major beer events for almost a decade, we can only wish them “good luck.”

Some of these steps include:

• A ban on handshakes (how many drinks will it take before attendees forget that one?)
• A ban on sharing beer glasses (always a good idea, but now more than ever)
• Hand sanitizer stations placed throughout BeerX and on every bar
• Exhibitors to provide hand sanitizer on all stands
• Encouraging everyone to stick to the NHS latest guidance on hand washing and sneezing into tissues (and how will that behavior be enforced?)
• If you feel unwell (signs of cold or flu) then please don’t attend, or leave the event if you feel unwell during it (if anyone starts to  feel COVID-19 symptoms at BeerX, it’s unfortunately too late for other attendees who may have already become infected)

The bar teams will also be taking extra precautions including:

• Wear nitrile gloves at all times, and wash hands with hot water and soap regularly
• Give a fresh glass for every beer, including tasters (good)
• Enforce a ban on sharing beer glasses with anyone else (how?)
• Report any feelings of ill health to their manager as soon as possible (again if someone becomes ill with the contagious virus at BeerX it’s already too late)