Cheers: Michael Ward and Keiran Blood toast the launch of Great Australian Beer Festival.
By Michelle Herbison
BEER lovers and craft brew devotees will rejoice in plans for Geelong’s own Great Australian Beer Festival.
Self-proclaimed local beer ambassadors Keiran Blood and Michael Ward will stage the festival to celebrate the growing popularity of craft beers and cider.
Mr Blood said the event would transform Geelong Racecourse into a “beer lovers’ paradise”.
“It’s going to look like a rather large beer garden ready for a family-friendly celebration of great beer, gourmet food and quality live entertainment,” Mr Blood said.
The festival would showcase 25 of “the most interesting brewers from Victoria and beyond” as well as offering seminars with brewers, celebrity chefs and guest speakers.
Mr Ward said live music would also be a key element to the event.
“I asked Bob Evans, AKA Kevin Mitchell, front-man for Jebediah, to headline and was stoked when he accepted.”
Mr Blood said Little Creatures plan to open an “east coast brewery” in South Geelong’s old Valley Mills proved the region’s craft beer scene was transforming.
“The beer market has been dominated by the same large brewing companies for way too long and it was inevitable that consumers would eventually desire a greater variety and quality of beer,” he said.
Brewers participating at the Great Australian Beer Festival would include Prickly Moses, Bellarine Estate, Little Creatures, Holgate, Stone and Wood, Mornington Peninsula, Mountain Goat, Murrays and Flying Brick Cider Co.
Mr Ward said tickets for the February 2 event were on sale now at www.gabfgeelong.com.au.
The Independent is a sponsor of Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival.
