DISCOVER THE ART OF CRAFT
Beer lovers you’re in luck – a new festival promises to be the toast of the Coast, writes Sally Coates
EVERYBODY, raise your glass to Anna Cook and Sam Pearce, the brother sister duo bringing a beer festival to the Gold Coast.
Beer, food trucks, entertainment, education and more beer will all play a role in the first Crafted Beer and Cider festival, taking place this weekend at Pratten Park, Broadbeach.
“My brother and I always wanted to do an event together,” Anna says.
“We both have a love for craft beer and noticed how many craft breweries are popping up on the Gold Coast.
“There are 500 breweries in Australia alone ... that number has doubled in the past five years. There’s been a massive increase in interest so we thought it’s something the GC would love.”
With beers from as far as Tasmania, even the savviest beer connoisseur will learn a thing or two and may even meet a new local brewery.
“We’ve got 25 breweries on board who will have their own stall and showcase their own brews – some are bringing along four beers, some are bringing 10,” Anna says.
“The Gold Coast brewers we’ve got on board are Balter, Beard and Brau, Black Hops, Burleigh Brewing and a new brewery in Miami called Lost Palms. They haven’t even opened yet –they’re opening November 9 – so the festival will kind of be an introduction.
“Overall the idea is to try a lot of the beers, experiment with your tastes and have a chat to the brewers.”
Black Hops brewer Michael “Govs” McGovern will be leading the charge. He loves beer and he loves the Gold Coast, so this festival is a dream come true.
“This is the first real beer and cider festival the Gold Coast has had,” he says.
“We’ve done a lot of festivals but we’ve always had to travel.
“But this time it’s our turn, this is our hometown, our home turf. It’s going to be great for the GC to get out and try some really exciting Australian beers and ciders.”
Anna says brewers like Govs are a special part of the day, who will happily discuss their craft for hours on end.
“Brewers are a really great group of people, who are passionate about a really great drink,” she says.
“You’d be hard pressed finding a profession more passionate than brewers.
“They love beer, they haven’t grown up thinking ‘I want to be a brewer’. Usually they’ve quit their day job and followed their passion. There’s a real joy in making something of your own, making a good product and being proud.
“You can see how much effort goes in.”
Although there will be plenty of booze on hand, including a Chandon pop-up bar, Anna says it’s not intended purely as a drinking session – she thinks the Gold Coast’s tastes have matured.
“There’s been a definite shift in attitudes towards drinking culture,” she says.
“There’s a focus on drinking less but better quality.
“People are understanding where their product is coming from, they’re wanting to appreciate what’s going on behind the scenes. This (festival) gives people an opportunity to try things they wouldn’t usually try.
“Grab some tasting paddles and really explore the flavours you gel with and have a little fun along the way.”