True match made in heaven
FIRE UP: The Hunter Valley Beer & BBQ Festival brings together two of Australia's favourite pastimes in a fantastic location.
PERFECT COMBO: The festival will showcase a range of barbecue genres with over 40 craft beers and ciders to wash it down.
Wine Country is set to sizzle with the inaugural Hunter Valley Beer & BBQ Festival to be held at Hope Estate on Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4.
A celebration of all things Beer & BBQ, this Festival brings together two of Australia's favourite pastimes which also happen to be hugely popular trends in the food scene in a stunning rural setting.
The event will stage sanctioned rounds of both the Steak Cookoff (Saturday) and Australasian BBQ Alliance Championship (Sunday) and have over 40 beers and ciders available to taste.
BBQ, from Low N Slow through to Grilling and masterfully brewed beer are both growth segments.
"We're really excited to be hosting Beer & BBQ, which will be our second lifestyle event for the season," Hope Estate owner Michael Hope, said.
"We're setting the tasting side up so punters can learn about all the different styles of beers and ciders out there.
"We've got 47 beers and a couple of ciders to taste on the weekend.
"They'll be presented style by style under 10 pagoda tents - lager, IPA, dark, German, Pilsener, cider etc.
"Everyone gets a booklet and they can learn about the differences in each style.
"There's a whole world of beer out there which the average punter doesn't know much about.
"It's a really engaging way to taste and it helps people learn about the different styles and what they might like."
All the beers are made at Hope Estate which has gone big on limited release brews and seasonals.
"We do five different sour beers, for example," Michael said.
"A sour is a German beer made with fruit and has the consistency of a cider.
"We've been blown away with how well it goes - a really refreshing style, fruity and light.
"The beer side matches up perfectly with the barbecue component, and there will be some lovely wines available too.
"It's about people coming along and having a great experience."
In addition to the BBQ Competitions and Beer Tasting there will be Live Music, Beer Masterclasses, an array of dining options including BBQ Food vendors, a Kids Zone, Consumer Competitions, Wine Tasting, stalls selling all things Beer & BBQ, displays and demonstrations.
Whether you are a serious foodie, aspiring brewer or someone that just loves eating BBQ and drinking beer this weekend will have something for all ages.
The festival will run from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4.
Early Bird Tickets available now from www.hopeestate.com.au.
