Directors of the Ballarat Beer Festival, Simon Coghlan, Kate Burrows and Tim Kearney. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
Julia Zass, Sarah D, Brad Wood, Tansy Goldsmith and Leigh Ryan. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
David Adams, Pete Mitcham and Ernie Austin. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
Rebecca Young, Jessica Keay and Tessa Fraumano. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
Brendan Rix and Alistair Bowers. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
Warren Loorham, Belinda Price, Jo Duckworth and Helen Bath. PICTURE: KATE HEALY
IT was all froth and no bubbles at last night’s launch of the second annual Ballarat Beer Festival.
More than 40 breweries will take part in the January 19 event at the City Oval, providing a great range of craft beer and ciders.
The entertainment line-up will include headline folk-rockband The Beards, Ballarat bands Gold Fields and Tessa and the Typecast, plus The Sweethearts and Vince Peach.
Ballarat Beer Festival co-director Simon Coghlan told the crowd at last night’s Golden City Hotel launch he was very excited about the 2013 event.
“I think the success of year one caught the four directors unaware,” Mr Coghlan said.
“It brings a music crowd in, along with beer lovers. It’s an enormously family friendly event.”
Guest speaker Councillor Samantha McIntosh said this year’s event was “very, very successful”.
“Next year’s is looking to be even bigger and better,” Cr McIntosh said.
A new event will be the Eureka Marquee – Lessons in Liquid Gold, where writer and beer educator Pete Mitcham will host informative sessions with a range of high profile brewers.
Two Friday night events will also be held, including a beer degustation dinner involving a six course meal matched with 12 beers, and a meet the brewers session.
Returning as hosts will be Australia’s funniest home brewers Charlie Pickering and Danny McGinlay who will be joined by Australia’s first lady of beer, Kirrily Waldhorn.
Breweries taking part include James Squire, Southern Bay, Red Hill Brewery, Cavalier Courage, Bridge Road, Kooinda and Toob.
Tickets for the festival are already on sale through Ticketek or at the Ballarat City Newsagency in Armstrong Street North.
fiona.henderson@thecourier.com.au