Looking to get out of town? Why don’t you pop into Ballarat this February for the Ballarat Beer Festival? It’s back for its eleventh year, and is the perfect place for beer lovers and festival goers to spend a day. Taking place in the North Gardens, you’ll find over 150 local beers, as well as ciders, wines and gin. There will also be live music, games and more. The Ballarat Beer Festival will take place on Saturday February 19. Tickets are on sale now.
Ballarat Beer Festival
Relax on the shady lakeside grounds of the North Gardens at the Ballarat Beer Festival. Bring a picnic rug, because after you’ve sampled all the beers you can imagine, you’ll want to rest on the shady grass and listen to live music. This year, the festival will be headlined by ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter, Russell Morris.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring the festival back for its eleventh year,” said Ric Dexter, festival operator. “Each year we’ve come back stronger, and we take a lot of pride in bringing together this great celebration of food, beer, wine and music.”
Breweries at the festival include:
- Bad Shepherd Brewing Co
- Bandolier Brewing
- Bandwagon Beverages
- Beer Republic
- BentSpoke Breaking Co
- Blackman’s
- Brewmanity Beer Co
- Bright Brewery
- Burnly Brewing
- Cheeky Rascal Cider
- Colonial Brewing Co
- Coopers Brewery Australia
- Dainton Beer
- Dangerous Ales
- Dollar Bill Brewing
- Eddies Cider
- Fury and Son
- Green Gully Brewing
- Harcourt Valley Brewing Co
- Hawkers Beer
- Hop Nation Brewing Co
- KAIJU! Beer
- Larrikin Gin
- Local Brewing Co
- Mallow Hotel (wines)
- Moon Dog Brewing
- Noodledoof
- Paper Scissors Rock Brew Co.
- Public Brewing Co
- Red Duck Beer
- Sailors Grave Brewing
- Tallboy & Moose
- Urban Alley Brewery
- Wild Life Brewing
- Young Henrys
- And more!
What else can you expect?
If you’re more of a wine fan than a beer fan, there will also be regional wineries onsite, serving up a selection of delicious wines and cocktails. There will also be plenty of non-alcoholic options to try. Then, tame your hunger with a huge variety of food trucks, serving up tasty street food from around the world.
During the festival, you’ll stay busy with beer education classes, blind tastings, trivia games, a brewers sack race and more!
If you just can’t wait for the festival, get into the spirit early with the Ballarat Beer Festival Degustation Dinner on Friday February 18. This event includes two beers and a wine, matched with each course. There will also be entertainment throughout the evening to keep the good vibes going.
If you’re driving up to Ballarat, why don’t you make a weekend out of it and stick around the following day for the Funk’N’Fest music festival? This inaugural event will take place on Sunday February 20, and feature the best soul, blues and RnB that Victoria has to offer.
General admission tickets cost $35, and you must be fully vaccinated to enter the festival.
For more information, see their website.