Pour into The Timber Yard for Picolo, a new summer tasting event. Discover the best in booze-free beverages from artisan producers, distillers and brewers around Australia and New Zealand. Explore the best in spirits, cocktails, beer and wines, without worrying about a hangover afterwards. Instead, you’ll focus on the quality and the taste, and learn all about the local innovators leading the charge in this rapidly growing drinks category. Picolo will take place in The Timber Yard on Saturday February 11, 2023.
Picolo
This exciting festival is run by REVEL, the same team behind Pinot Palooza and Mould. The line-up will feature 30 low and zero-alcohol drinks producers, such as Heaps Normal, T.I.N.A, NON, Better Beer and Four Pillars.
“There’s been a huge cultural shift around drinking in recent years and people are realising that not every social drink needs to have booze in it to be enjoyable,” said Dan Sims, Director and CEO of REVEL. “As a result, the no-low beverage market has experienced extraordinary growth in Australia over the past couple of years, and, in good news for punters, the quality, flavour and integrity of these drinks have kept pace to really change the game.”
For Sims, these drinks are not about being anti-alcohol, but about providing a unique and delicious experience for everyone to enjoy, from pregnant folks to those that are firmly sober.
“We’re just really excited to present the absolute best of the low-no category, and give folks the chance to sip a little, learn a lot and discover inspiring drinks that just happen to be low and no alc,” he said.
What can you expect?
Picolo will feature a live cocktail competition, starring some of Melbourne’s top bartenders. Overseen by the award-winning Nick Tesar (Bar Liberty), this competition will see skilled bartenders paired up to design a signature cocktail from six no-low spirit companies featured at the festival. The concoctions will be judged by a panel of experts. After that, all cocktails will be made to order and available for ticket holders to purchase at the bar. Meanwhile, the winner will receive a trophy and prize package for Best Bartender.
Leading drinks producers will take to the stage for talks and masterclasses. There will also be plenty of activations and games, including the T.I.N.A arena roller skating rink, and “Beersketball” by Heaps Normal. There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs, as well as a DJ and roving band for live music.
While you’re there, visit the dedicated Mould Cheese Collective stand for a curated selection of artisan dairy products. More food options will be announced closer to the date.
There are two sessions available for this festival, with the first starting at 12pm and the second at 5pm. Tickets cost $35 plus booking fee, and include festival entry, drinks tastings, a stemless REVEL wine glass and entertainment.