Festival to brew up a crowd

By Su-Lin Tan

Beer guzzlers and ale connoisseurs will gather at The Rocks this weekend to sample the goods from local breweries at Sydney’s annual beer festival.

The event hosted by The Australian Hotel is expected to draw at least 12,000 people and pour 20,000 litres of home-brewed beer.

The festival will replicate the German Oktoberfest and allows the public to sample beer produced in 20 breweries across the nation.

Co-owner of Manly’s 4 Pines Brewing Company Jaron Mitchell said he will be showcasing their liquid repertoire. “We will be serving our Kolsch, Pale Ale and Hefeweisen. These are our permanent beers available in the keg at Manly and also
in bottles.”

“I think it is a great event for breweries to show support for the industry and the festival will be a great day out. It might provide credence for Sydney to call it its own Oktoberfest.
General Manager of Lowenbrau, Reinhard Wurtz, said:  “I think it is great idea to have a sampling day for local breweries. Better for the consumer. But I don’t think we will ever be like the real Oktoberfest in Munich. The size will be hard to copy.”

Functions Manager of The Australian Hotel Tara Blinkhorne said there will be plenty to eat as well. “There won’t be just beer, there will be lots of food available – BBQ stalls and our famous gourmet pizzas.”

“As for competition, it’s good for us. We run the ‘real’ Oktoberfest here at Lowenbrau, which never ends. When October is over, it will become NovemberFest!”
The Australian Hotel also launched the inaugural 2011 Home Brew Championship in the lead up to the Festival.

The competition was opened to home brewers who entered their own backyard beers on September 21. The judging criterion was appearance, aroma, flavour and body, technical quality and style.

“A winner and runner up have been picked. They will present their beers at their own stalls at the festival,” Blinkhorne said.

The People’s Choice Best Beer and Best Stall awards will also debut on the weekend allowing consumers to taste and judge each product and vote for their favourites.

Beer fan Jose Clauna , 43, said: “I only ever drink Carlton, Corona and Pure Blond. So I am glad the beer fest is on to try local beers.” The event includes live entertainment and “meet the brewer” sessions.

Ms Blinkhorne said: “It is a huge event, and we have lots of security. It is an extremely safe environment. Tasting cups are only 60mls and all participating breweries have all their RSA in place.”

The festival will spill onto Nearby Gloucester St which will be closed to traffic on the weekend.