Brewers from near and far will give thousands of locals and tourists a reason to make Ballarat a destination this summer when the annual Ballarat Beer Festival takes over City Oval on January 21.  

Now in its sixth year of operation, more than 40 breweries will be showcasing some never-before-seen beers as well as some old favourites at the summer brewing bonanza.

Festival directer Ric Dexter said the festival had become one of the pinnacles of the Australian brewing calendar, and gave beer lovers an opportunity to get a first taste of some of the latest work from the country’s best beer makers. 

“The festival reflects the changing alcohol consumption trends, because overall beer consumption is going down but craft beer consumption is increasing,” Mr Dexter said. 

“People are more and more turning to locally brewed beer made from high quality ingredients.” 

In 2017 the festival will feature about 20 new release beers as well as the launch of a new brand and beer range.  

Breweries such as Healesville’s Watts River Brewing and Blizzard Brewing from Dinner Plain will make their debuts at the festival, while old favourites including Coopers, Hawthorn and Two Birds Brewing will again be on hand to treat beer lovers. 

On top of supplying Ballarat ale aficionados with the latest and greatest offerings from the big names, the festival will also showcase some of the best brews coming out of Ballarat.  

Wendouree’s Rebellion Brewing, Red Duck from Alfredton and Mair Street newcomers Athletic Club will play a key part in this year’s festival with the launch of the Ballarat Brewers’ Backyard.

Athletic Club will also be paying homage to the roots of Ballarat brewing with the release of a limited edition extra special bitter titled Ballarat Bettie, a reference to the former Ballarat Brewing Company lager Ballarat Bitter which was first produced in 1926. 

“We want to make heroes of the local breweries at this year’s event,” Mr Dexter said.  

While the professional brewers will be the stars of the show on the 21^st, in the lead-up to the main event the focus will be on Ballarat’s best amateurs.  

Returning again in 2017 will be the annual home brew competition, which will be judged by Federation University’s brewing course coordinator Dr Peter Aldred.  

The competition winner will get to brew their drop commercially at FedUni.

With cider and iced tea also on the drinks list at January’s event, the Beer Festival is another excuse for people to ditch the beach in favour of Ballarat this summer.