By Annette Shailer
Beer lovers are set to descend on Melbourne’s Federation Square to taste more than 70 locally-made, boutique lagers, ales and ciders at the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase on October 20 to 21.
Celebrating the strength of Victoria’s craft beer industry, this two-day public tasting event will feature more than 20 of the State’s top breweries, with the opportunity to talk to the brewers and sample their latest releases.
From Melbourne’s Mountain Goat Brewery and 3 Ravens to Bridge Road Brewers in Beechworth, Mildura Brewery and Three Troupers in the Pyrenees, the showcase is a great opportunity to explore the variety of Victoria’s craft beers.
This month’s showcase will also feature a number of new releases, including Thunder Road Brewing’s first beer and two from Beacon Brewing Company, a Barwon Heads brewery established by former home brewer, Dan Cunningham.
A tasting ticket includes 20 glasses of 60ml tastings and a small dish from participating restaurants.
Supported by Regional Development Victoria and the Victorian Association of Microbrewery Industry, the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase is one of the country’s biggest beer festivals exclusively devoted to craft beer, with a focus on supporting Victoria’s boutique producers.
Driven by the growing number of microbreweries and beer-orientated venues, a new website, The Crafty Pint, has been launched recently which is dedicated to the Australian craft beer scene.
The Crafty Pint is home to detailed listings of microbreweries, their beers, beer bars and specialty bottle shops, presented with photos and interactive maps.