Do you know your IPAs from your pilsners, your lagers from your stouts? Are you looking for an Insta-worthy excuse to lounge in the St Kilda sun this weekend? Then look no further than Melbourne’s BeerFest 2020.
This Saturday 29th February, fifty of the country’s most exciting established and upcoming craft brewers are ready to inject some serious hops into your leap-day. You can sample the best beers on offer from the likes of St Andrews Beach, Moon Dog Brewing, and many more of Victoria’s best bars and brewers from 1-8PM, with one-on-one market stall interactions with experts offering an experience you just can’t get at your regular Saturday afternoon sessions.
But it’s not just about the beer. If a G&T or chardonnay is more up your alley, you can take your pick from a great range of acclaimed winemakers, distillers and cider makers offering boutique cocktails and spirits to quench your thirst.
Whatever your poison, BeerFest is also ready to tempt you with some delicious food from gourmet producers. With a sustainable focus on local produce that caters for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets, there’ll be a huge range of eats for everyone.
You can even learn more about what you’re guzzling from the professionals themselves: masterclasses with industry leaders from Cicerone and Bright Brewing Co. include “Perfect Match: Food and Beer Pairing”, so you can pair your brew with your burger for the best possible foodie experience. Much classier than pizza and a slab of VB in your mate’s backyard, that’s for sure.
Fret not, there’s also a bumper entertainment line-up to keep you dancing and giggling all arvo long. ARIA award-winning Aussie band Art vs Science is headlining, with guaranteed bops like ‘Parlez Vous Français?’ promising to really throw it back to the glory days of 2009. They’ve even designed their bespoke ‘Art vs Science vs Beer’ ale that’s exclusive to BeerFest events, so you can dance to Art vs Science, while drinking Art vs Science. Just imagine how cool you’ll feel when you’re whipping that story out at your next party.
As well as great live music, there’s roving entertainment and two sessions of comedy acts featuring Luke McGregor, Danielle Walker, Matt Stewart and triple j’s Lewis Garnham. It’s the perfect excuse to get your friends together for some day drinks and quality entertainment, not to mention you can score FREE ENTRY if you’re born on February 29th.
The forecast for Saturday is warm and sunny – so really, what’s your excuse? It’s a once-every-four-years opportunity to celebrate beer on a leap day. Grab your tickets via the BeerFest website and get your brew on this weekend.
What: Melbourne BeerFest 2020
Where: Catani Gardens, Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West
When: 1PM-8PM Saturday 29 February, 2020
Cost: Tickets start at $37
