7 May 2020

BeerFest coming to Canberra for the first time

| Ian Bushnell
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Beerfest

Beerfest will host 20 craft brewers from across Australia, including Canberra’s Bentspoke and Capital Brewing. Photo: Supplied.

It’s been brewing for a while but Australia’s longest-running craft beer festival is coming to the national capital for the first time next month.

BeerFest will set up camp at Commonwealth Place in Parkes on 15 February and will be the place to be for genuine lovers of artisan brews.

The reputation of Canberra’s burgeoning craft beer industry has come to the attention of organisers, and local brewers Bentspoke and Capital Brewing will join peers from across the country, as well as cider makers, winemakers and distillers to share brews and other one-off creations.

But organisers say BeerFest is more than just the beverages, billing it as a family event with local produce, fine food, children’s events and an entertainment line-up of comedy acts and and live music, headlined by ARIA-award winning band Art vs Science.

The comedy show includes Luke Heggie, Hamish Hudson and Emo Parsonson, hosted by Fresh Comedy’s Stewart Bell.

Richard Watkins and Tracy Morgan

BentSpoke owners Richard Watkins and Tracy Morgan are part of Canberra’s brewing success story. Photo: Supplied.

As part of their international 10th Anniversary Tour, Art vs Science have created a one-off beer in collaboration with BeerFest, Burnley Brewing and Cryer Malt.

Festival-goers who take their beer seriously can learn about the art of brewing at a range of masterclasses and tastings led by industry leaders.

The program includes sessions on ‘Discover the Art of Brewing with BrewArtAustralia’, ‘Get your hops off!’, ‘Discover Sustainable Brewing with Beerfarm’, ‘The Future of Beer with Cryer Malt’ and a masterclass by Bright Brewing Co.

Bentspoke’s Richard Watkins will co-host a cheese masterclass with Mike Smith from The Cheesesmith, based in the Blue Mountains.

Canberra kicks off the BeerFest national tour with dates in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

General admission tickets start from $37 and include access to the event and all entertainment. Beer, food and other drinks are available for purchase.

For more information go to canberra.beerfestivals.com.au.

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