I had the pleasure this week of attending the intro and launch of the 11th Annual Australian Beer Festival, which will return to The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks, the original home of craft beer, from 16-18 October 2015.
In its 11th year, the renowned two-and-a-half-day bash will feature 130 Australian beers and ciders, sure to keep the palate of any beer drinker content for the whole weekend.
With 30 stalls to roam, this year’s festival will have a bigger focus on up and coming boutique breweries including Willie the Boatman, Nomad Brewing Co., Neighbourhood Brewing, the ladies from Two Birds, and much more. Cumberland Street will be buzzing at night with live entertainment by Byron Bay locals, The Swamps. With Armitage on the guitar/vocals and Swanny on the drums, these two will bring some traditional blues and rock n roll to the festival.
The outdoor Scharer’s Beer Garden on Gloucester Street will be the perfect chill-out zone to enjoy a cold brew. Food stalls will serve up delicious beef brisket and pulled pork sarnies, while the highly popular oyster bar by Seabreeze Hotel South West Rocks will be back better than ever. And don’t forget The Australian Hotel’s famous gourmet pizzas!
Returning again this year will be ‘Meet The Brewer’ sessions and blind tastings, which will be held twice a day.
In memory of pioneering craft brewer Geoff Scharer, the prestigious Geoff Scharer Best Overall Beer will crown the favourite brewer, along with a Best Cider gong, both as voted by the staff of the Australian Heritage Hotel. An additional People’s Choice Award will crown the crowd favourite, as voted by festival-goers across the weekend. All brewers attending the festival have been encouraged to brew a limited edition specialty beer to be served throughout the weekend, adding even more variety and one-off excitement to the list of beers to try.
Entry is FREE and tasting tickets are $25 for 10, available on the door or for pre-purchase at www.australianheritagehotel.com to beat the queues.
For more information email beerfestival@australianheritagehotel.com.
The Annual Australian Beer Festival
Friday 16 – Sunday 18 October, 2015
The Australian Heritage Hotel
100 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
www.australianheritagehotel.com.au
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by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
