By CHERIE DONNELLAN
About 4500 craft beer enthusiasts stalked Geelong Racecourse’s ale aisle this year but Great Australian Beer Festival’s organiser Michael Ward has a bigger thirst for success in 2014.
Mr Ward said he wanted 10,000 punters at the second festival on 1 February.
The next festival would offer patrons “a bigger bang for their buck”, he promised.
The event would feature two live entertainment stages, more than 150 craft beers, home-brewing seminars and “plenty of food”.
Ward said confirmed musical acts included Owl Eyes’ Brooke Addamo, The Bamboos’ Kylie Auldist and funk soul orchestra The Glenroy Allstars.
Craft beer connoisseur Pete Mitcham, who operates a Beer Blokes website as ‘Professor Pilsner’, would conduct workshops and discussions about home-brewing.
Audiences might also be treated to acrobatic displays from
Ward also hoped to have professional circus performers performing acrobatic displays in a “beer cabaret”.
“It’s just going to have this great summer festival vibe – it’s like a giant alfresco beer garden.”
Ward said the event had the support of City of Greater Geelong and six local breweries.
The event would help promote the region’s potential for a “beer trail” to complement its existing wine trail, he said.
