9th Annual Australian Beer Festival

The 9^th Annual Australian Beer Festival Returns With Longer Hours and a New Award

FRIDAY 18th: 4 - 8pm
SATURDAY 19th: 12 - 8pm
SUNDAY 20th: 12 - 6pm

Sydney’s iconic landmark, The Australian Heritage Hotel in The Rocks, will once again play host to the legendary 9^th Annual Australian Beer Festival from 18 – 20 October 2013, with new extending opening hours to give thirsty beer lovers more time to taste their favourite tipples, and a brand new award.

For the first time in its history, the festival will start on the Friday at 4pm and run right through the weekend, giving visitors and extra day to enjoy their best brews. Gloucester Street will once again be closed off for the festival, with 24 stalls hosting Sydney, regional NSW and interstate brewers showcasing the best beers and ciders Australia has to offer, from established to up-and-coming boutique brewers. There will also be a handful of food stalls offering of tantalising selection of snacks for hungry patrons including the pub’s famous mouthwatering range of pizzas.

In memory of brewer Geoff Scharer, the prestigious Geoff Scharer Best Overall Beer will crown the favourite brewer, along with seven more awards including a new award for Best Cider. This year, brewers have also been encouraged to blend a unique, one-off beer, which will be exclusive to the festival.

The Home Brew Championship will also be back, encouraging home brewers to put their beer-making skills to the test with the chance to win their very own stall at the festival as well as a trip to the White Rabbit and Young Henry Breweries. Entrants will be judged by an expert panel and winners will be announced Thursday 12 September 2013.

This year’s ticket holders will be treated to an array of live entertainment and educational sessions including Meet the Brewer, where beer lovers get to interact and listen to their favourite brewers in an intimate setting whilst learning the ins and outs of the production of boutique beer. There will also be Blind Tasting sessions hosted by James Smith, founder of the Crafty Pint.

More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the festival, over 20,000 litres of beer will be consumed and with over 100 Australian beers on offer from the top Australian brewers, the 9^th Australian Beer Festival is sure to keep the palate of any beer drinker content for the whole weekend. So grab a tasting cup, a fistful of tasting tickets and discover just how good our fellow Aussies are at the craft of brewing. Come on down and put our local brews to the test!