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In putting this website together it became obvious that there are very few Beer Festivals taking place in Australia over the coming year. A search in our own Beer Festival Search Box reveals just 3 Beer Tasting events for 2009!
Why is this?
Australia is known for its love of beer. The national holiday, Australia Day, wouldn’t be the same without a set of bbq tongs in one hand and a cold stubbie in the other.
Want to make friends in Australia? Sit down at a bar, order a beer, and start talking to the bloke next to you. Beer is like the invisible glue that bonds most Australians together.
So, for a nation that is in love with beer why only 3 Beer Festivals?
I think the problem is twofold. Firstly, Australians are very parochial about their beer. If you’re a Queensander then you drink XXXX, a Victorian and you drink Victoria Bitter and so forth. Such loyalty to a brand allowed the second problem to develop; no competition. For too long the majority of the beer market in Australia has been owned by just two brewers: the Fosters Group and Lion Nathan.
When a population drinks just a handful of beers and the brewers are happy to supply just a handful of beers then it is no wonder there are very few Beer Festivals – what is there to celebrate?
It wasn’t always like this. In 1889 there were 307 breweries in Australia supporting a population of approximately 700,000. Now, that doesn’t mean there were 307 great beers to choose from. But the point is there was variety, (and there may have even been the odd Beer Festival!).
However, things are beginning to change in Australia. Walk into most bottle shops around Australia and you will find beers with names like Bare Foot Radler, Barons Original Ale and Matilda Bay Fat Yak. We haven’t come far from the heady days of 1889 but at least we are moving in the right direction!
So, this is my ‘call to arms’. For all the Australian readers of this Blog if you know of an Australian Beer Festival or Beer Tasting event that is taking place in your hometown then please add it to our Database of Beer Festivals and send out the invitations!
Let’s start to put Aussie beers on the map and who knows…
…maybe we will even have our very own ‘Great Australian Beer Festival’ in the near future!
Cheers!
photo credit: Vermin Inc
[...] about Digg as of February 6, 2009 Where are all the Australian Beer Festivals? – festivalofbeer.com 02/07/2009 [ Beer Girt]In putting this website together it became obvious that [...]
[...] my last post, “Where are all the Australian Beer Festivals?“, I was wondering why Australia, a country that has such a deep association with beer, has [...]
At The Local Taphouse (in Melbourne and soon in Sydney), we host a beer festival every season, each with a twist. We’ve had 3 so far. Our first, the Winter SpecTAPular, saw 40 different winter beers on tap from 40 Australian breweries. SpecTAPular II (Spring 2008) was an Octoberfest theme featuring 10 German beers imported from Germany and 10 Australian-brewed German styles. A couple of weeks ago, our Summer SpecTAPular saw 20 summer style beers from around Australia on tap..
Now we’re busy planning our SpecTAPular IV and V!! I’ll be sure to add them to your calendar..
Steve, I look forward to seeing your events on the database in the near future. I am quite often in Melbourne so I will make a point of dropping in for a beer! Judging by your website (www.thelocal.com.au) The Local looks like a great place to hang out for a beer!
Don’t forget to post your Sydney grand opening on Festival of Beer! That is sure to be a big night!
Good Luck.
I am in sydney and have just noted this what looks to be a HUGE event!
http://www.beerfestivalaustralia.com.au
The event is over 6 months away but already they have a few brews on board. I’m looking forward to seeing the brewers that they add, along with the music and comedy line ups.
One cool thing they seem to include is beer and food matching with Kirrily Waldhorn (our very own “Beer Diva”! Website seems to indicate it will be included in the ticket price.
Count me in for what could be Australia’s Biggest Beer Festival!
Woohoo! About time! :-)
I am just about to launch a beer called Banjo’s Beer in Jan 2010 in Orange NSW. I am also planning to have a beer festival for one day in mid or late NOV 2010. Dont know what the festival will be called yet, But keep your eyes on this space and we will let you know when we make it happen! – Toney (Founder of Banjo’s Beer!)