The festival, organised by the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) takes place from 7 to 11 August at Olympia, west London, hosts nearly a thousand different beers, ciders, perries, fine wines and gins under one roof.
A newcomer to the alcohol-free and low-alcohol market, Braxzz Brewery has developed an alcohol-free IPA, Amber Ale and, it claims, the world’s first alcohol-free porter at 0% ABV.
The Dutch brewery aims to expand its range over the coming months and visitors to GBBF will have the opportunity to sample its core range throughout the festival week.
GBBF organiser Catherine Tony said: “We look forward to welcoming Braxzz to the festival. Alcohol-free beer has become increasingly important in recent years and thankfully brewers have been keeping pace with consumer demands."
Zero compromise
She added: “There are now some fantastic innovations in the sector and a much wider range of styles and flavours than ever before.”
Braxzz aims to improve variety in the low-alcohol and alcohol-free category by creating alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks with zero compromise on taste.
It was founded by a Dutch and British team, which includes a member of a well-known brewing family – the Swinkels.
James Leary of Braxzz said: “We are delighted to be attending the festival for hopefully the first of many appearances.
“We hope to provide something different at the event and give another option to anybody who will not be drinking, but still want to taste craft ale."
Improve and expand
He added:“Our range is set to improve and expand over the coming months and I look forward to being able to offer this category to visitors throughout the week.”
Meanwhile, CAMRA announced it was introducing the Ask for Angela campaign at this year’s GBBF to help ensure the safety and comfort of its visitors.
Visitors to the festival need simply to “Ask for Angela”, a phrase that acts as a code to alert security and staff that some kind of assistance is needed, which can then be provided to help that person in a discreet manner.
The initiative originated in Lincolnshire, but has received global attention as a way of helping people who feel unsafe on dates in pubs, festivals and other venues across the country.
To publicise the initiative, the festival will place information posters in male and female toilets and around the venue and inform visitors through its website and onsite programme guide. All festival volunteers will be briefed on the campaign and be in a position to help as required.