Good beer in Brisbane is just so hot right now, or so it seems with no fewer than half a dozen quality watering holes opening in the past few months, and with at least one city-based brew pub slated to open in the first half of the year. Now, Brisbane beer lovers can spend Australia Day reading the results of the Taphouse’s Hottest 100 craft beer poll, listening to Triple J’s Hottest 100, all while drinking quality beers as The Fox Hotel at South Brisbane rolls out its first beer festival.

The pub hasn’t traditionally been a noted beer venue, with more of a reputation as a party pub but the move towards craft beer demonstrates the growing awareness that pubs need to take their beer a little bit more seriously.

As a Brisbanite, I eagerly await the festival and whether it’s a one-off day of craft beer or it signals a move towards the establishment of another craft beer haven in a city that has too long been a good beer desert. [MK]

Media Release

Say ‘Cheers’ this Australia Day with Craft Beer

The Fox Hotel will be holding the 1st Annual Australia Day Craft Beer Festival on Australia Day. The innovative event will see over 60 craft beers being consumed by thousands of patrons and will quickly become an Australia Day tradition.

Stone & Wood, Little Creatures, Blue Sky Brewery and James Squire are among the breweries displaying at the event with both craft beer and cider being the focus of the day at the Hotel. The streets around the famous Fox Hotel will be closed to all other than those enjoying a cold brew, and beer will be flowing from 12pm. The event is free, as all good Australia Day events should be, however tasting cups will be for sale for $5 and tastings booklets, with 10 sampling tickets, for $10.

Beer Education and Meet the Brewer Sessions will be held from 12pm. People are encouraged to get involved by signing up for a 45 minute session with their brewer of choice. This gives beer lovers a chance to interact with and listen to their favourite brewers in an intimate setting as well as learn more about the production of craft beer.

The 1st Annual People’s Choice Awards will also be held on the day with consumers asked to rate each beer and brewery according to their own personal choice. Beers will be judged in six different categories. Best Pilsner, Best Lager, Best Ale, Best Dark, Best Specialty (which will include Ciders) and the Best Overall Beer of the Festival.

There will be a strong emphasis on food that compliments the beers on show.

A variety of gourmet food will be available from food stands and the bar.

The Fox Hotel is proud to be an official Triple J Hottest 100 venue and will be playing the countdown across it’s three levels and on the street. Once the sun goes down and the party starts to kick into the next gear, resident DJs will provide entertainment for those wishing to party late into the night.

Craft beer will be the hit of the day, but if you’re looking for something different a tempting array of ice cold drinks will be available, from wine by the glass to a premium spirit selection and everything in between.

www.thefox.com.au/australiadaybeerfest

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