A giant 9-day crisp festival is coming to a Huddersfield pub - everything you need to know

-Credit: (Image: The Sportsman)
-Credit: (Image: The Sportsman)


"Merry Crisp-mas and Seasoned Greetings."

That's the message from a Huddersfield pub ahead of its first International Crisp Festival. The Sportsman in St John's Road has created the event - Huddersfield International Crisp Festival, aka HIC-Fest, which is taking place from Friday, October 11, to Sunday, October 20.

The concept of the festival is pretty simple: over 50 varieties of crisp, ranging from Yorkshire favourites to altogether more exotic and rare offerings, will be available on the bar.

Read more: Huddersfield village pub reopens with famous 'chippie van' in car park

A menu will guide crisp lovers through the options, provide tasting menus, and offer drink pairing suggestions. Naturally, bread and butter will also be available for those wishing to construct the pinnacle of all crisp creations – the crisp butty.

The Sportman's Cerys with crisps ready for the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival -Credit:The Sportsman
The Sportman's Cerys with crisps ready for the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival -Credit:The Sportsman

A number of special crisp events will be taking place during the run, including a quiz and some tasting evenings. Local wine merchants, Hoult’s, will be hosting a wine and crisp pairing event and Landlord John Fletcher will host a crisp and beer matching evening.

The full menu is yet to be released but the line-up will feature classic crisps from Ireland’s legendary Tayto and local hero Seabrooks. The UK’s exciting independent crisp scene will be represented by the likes of Taste of Game’s Grouse and Winberry crisps and Slab’s Fried Egg Crisps.

Truffle crisps from Spain, Chinese Squid flavoured crisps and Kebab crisps from Germany are just a few of the international treats to look forward to.

The Sportsman’s landlord, and creator of HIC-Fest, John Fletcher says: "Beer festivals are ten-a-penny whilst the humble crisp is always on the sidelines, never in the limelight. We’ve decided to change that by holding the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival.

A selection of crisps ready for the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival -Credit:The Sportsman
A selection of crisps ready for the Huddersfield International Crisp Festival -Credit:The Sportsman

"Since announcing HIC-Fest, interest in the event has been phenomenal…. people love a crisp! We think festival-goers will love trying the exotic and interesting flavours of crisps with their friends. A couple of pints and a platter of international crisps with nearest and dearest will be a great evening out."

The HIC-Fest Schedule:

  • Huddersfield International Crisp Festival - Friday 11th to Sunday 10th October

  • Crisp Themed Quiz - Sunday October 13 7pm (Booking advised, email sportsman@beerhouses.co.uk)

  • Crisp and Wine Pairing with Hoult’s Wine Merchants - Tuesday October 15 6pm

  • Crisp and beer matching, Friday, October 18, 8pm, with John Fletcher.

Tickets for the crisp and wine event are £22, available from Eventbrite here. Tickets for the beer and crisp event are £10, available via Eventbrite here.

Get all the latest What’s On news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.