Returning for its third and most ambitious edition yet, Brewnanza Fest 2025 by Brewlander is set to transform the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre into Singapore’s ultimate craft beer playground from 29 to 31 August 2025. Proudly supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, the festival will once again be helmed by Brewlander founder John Wei, a passionate voice in the regional craft beer scene who’s not only built a beloved brand but a full-fledged community.

Reflecting on the decision to even embark on the festival, John admits the idea was a gamble. “I think last year was a bit of a ballsy risk. We were probably the very first to do an indoor craft beer festival in Singapore, not a trade fair or food show where you get a few samples, but a real festival for both consumers and B2B. And at the end of the day, consumers are brutally honest. If they like it, they’ll let you know. If they don’t, they’ll let you know too,” he says.

The challenge, he shares, went beyond logistics; it was also about setting the right tone and atmosphere. “I approach it from the public’s perspective; I enjoy going to events, and I love a bit of day drinking. There’s nothing quite like a solid, ice-cold beer on a warm day,” he says. “For me, it’s about being somewhere like Robertson Quay around 4:30pm, when it’s perfect to sit out with friends or family and just knock back a few beers. That’s the experience I wanted to recreate.”

That vision made the move indoors a complicated decision, but a necessary one. “Now, the risk of going indoors is obvious, you lose that alfresco charm. But it made so much sense. Every practical factor leaned in our favour. Outdoor events in Singapore are insanely expensive. The first year, we spent nearly half a million dollars just on setup, venue, everything. And that was our first ever event! We’d never even done small or medium-scale ones before that,” he adds.

The decision to host the event at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) brought both strategic and practical benefits. “Last year, it was a bit unpredictable, so we moved to MBS. It made a lot of sense. To be fair, MBS was super supportive and accommodating, and this year, we’ll even have extended hours until 2am on Friday and Saturday.”

The feedback following the 2024 edition was overwhelmingly positive — and surprisingly practical. The number one highlight? Air-con. And the biggest win of all? Clean toilets. “You’ve no idea how much we spent on portable toilets the first year, only to get complaints about how smelly and uncomfortable they were. MBS was a game changer,” he says.

But creature comforts are just part of the story. At its core, Brewnanza is about community, creativity, and sustaining an ecosystem. “We also wanted to showcase and support younger breweries—especially local ones. We see it as giving back to the community and building the ecosystem. It’s important for all of us to succeed, even if it’s at different scales.”

That communal spirit, John explains, is even more important now, as the craft industry navigates global headwinds. “Globally, craft beer is going through a tough time. Actually, beer in general, wine, spirits too,” he muses. “That’s what we’re trying to do with Brewnanza, to provide a platform for people to show their creativity and keep the energy alive.”

This year’s local line-up features Brewlander, Alive Brewing, Ren Min, and Lion Brewery Co., with hopes that one day, Pink Blossoms will also join the festivities.

John also reveals plans for an improved festival layout. “As for the layout this year, it’s going to be similar to last year with stalls around the perimeter. But we’ll have a larger centre section, and we’ve designed the layout so there are no ‘dead corners’ or quiet, hidden spaces. Most people, when they enter a space, subconsciously turn left. So this year, the layout forces them to go straight or right. Let’s see how that plays out.”

International participation continues to ramp up. This year, 40 breweries are expected, pouring more than 300—and possibly 400—distinctive beers. The U.S. Brewers Association is sending 16 breweries, including cult favourite Side Project, alongside high-profile names from Korea, Thailand, Finland, the U.K., Australia, Germany, and more. “It shows they really want to be part of the festival,” John says.

Exclusive collaborations and experimental releases are also a major draw. “We’re doing a few collabs, like with Rocky Ridge and one with Side Project. I mean, that’s kind of crazy. Side Project is one of those unicorn breweries, and they’re doing a beer with us. I’m genuinely excited about that.”

He also sees the increasingly diverse selection of beer styles as a sign that local palates are evolving. “Last year, it was a bit heavy on the IPAs and hazies. But this year, we’re getting more variety. Fruited sours, farmhouse styles, mixed fermentation stuff, even some clean lagers. There’s a wider spread.”

To support that deeper appreciation, the festival is expanding its educational programming. Expect more masterclasses, guided tastings, and brewer-led sessions. “Last year we saw that there’s a crowd that really wants to learn more. Not just drink, but understand what they’re drinking.”

And the rest of the experience is being levelled up, too—from music to food to logistics. “It’s a beer fest, not a wine seminar. But I think it’s great to offer both. You can come for the vibes, the music, the fun, but if you want to dig deeper, there’s something for you too.”

This year’s music line-up will feature a blend of live acts and DJs, spanning indie, hip-hop, funk, disco and more. And food-wise, the offerings are as crowd-pleasing as ever. Meow Barbecue, Smokey’s, Black Tap, Papi’s Tacos, and Chico Loco are all confirmed to serve up crave-worthy bites. “Last year, we got feedback about queuing and beer service. So this year we’re investing in better bar infrastructure and clearer signage. Basically, we’re applying what we learned and improving on it.”

Despite the festival’s scale and growth, John is clear that profit isn’t the driving force. “I’ll be happy if we just break even, honestly. Because it’s just so expensive to do things the right way. Just because it’s busy doesn’t mean it’s profitable,” he says. “We’re not here to squeeze our partners, whether it’s our suppliers, contractors, or artists, just to save a few bucks. Even with the bands, we don’t lowball them, because I believe in supporting the arts.”

Looking ahead, he acknowledges that Brewnanza may need to adapt in future editions. “After three years, there are definitely enough lessons to reflect on. And we need to be honest with ourselves: is Brewnanza, as a 100% craft beer festival, financially viable in this current form? Or does it need to evolve into something else to be sustainable?”

But for now, the heart of the festival remains the same: community. “Brewnanza is the one time of the year where everyone comes together. It’s like a reunion. That’s what this is all about, community. It’s not just that we help each other; it’s the friendships, the shared journey.”

Whether he’s reminiscing about his first beer launch at Freehouse or making time for Singapore’s iBrew Challenge, the homebrew event where it all began, John remains grounded in the roots of craft culture. “It’s a lot of work to run a three-day event like this. We’re not doing it to sell a few more beers over the weekend. But we do it for the community, for the craft, for the people who’ve been with us all along.”

As Brewnanza Fest 2025 gears up to welcome thousands of beer lovers, one thing is clear: this is a festival and movement rooted in passion, built on resilience, and driven by a founder who still sees every pint poured as a connection worth making.

Brewnanza Fest 2025 opens from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM on Friday, 29 August, continues from 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM on Saturday, 30 August, and concludes from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM on Sunday, 31 August. 

Tickets are available now via Klook. Early birds can enjoy $10 off the single-day passes at S$33 (U.P. S$43) for Friday and Saturday, and S$28 (U.P. $38) for Sunday; as well as the bundle-of-four packages at S$30 (U.P. S$40) per person on Friday and Saturday, and S$23 (U.P. $43) per person on Sunday from now until 31 July 2025. For more information, visit www.brewlander.com.