PLANS are already under way for next year’s Ballarat Beer Festival after Saturday’s event was embraced by large numbers of locals and visitors alike.

Until early evening, the festival featured live music and quality local food, with visitors tasting boutique and craft beers from as far away as the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley.

Food stands selling everything from gourmet fish and chips to paella and pizza enjoyed long lines of hungry customers.

It was standing room only for much of the afternoon with long trestle tables and hay bales proving popular in the warm conditions. The most prepared brought picnic rugs to spread out in front of the live music stage, and the popular children’s area complete with jumping castle and entertainment.

Visiting from Hobart, Margaret Hardwick said she was sceptical when her husband James suggested they attend the event.

“We drove from Melbourne as part of our holiday and I thought it was only going to be enjoyable for him but we’re having a great time,” she said.

“More cities should do something like this.

“Everyone is having a fantastic time and I haven’t seen anyone getting carried away with the grog.”

The couple nominated Kooinda Boutique Brewery as their favourite beers of the day.

Ballarat home brew aficionado Rob Hogan said there were too many beers to sample but he was trying to get through the list. “I didn’t know so many craft beers existed and I am trying to sip as many as I can,” he said.