Popular festival, Beervana, is set to descend on the capital on the 18th and 19th of August, with more than 50 local and international breweries expected to fill Sky Stadium in Wellington. A further 16,000 beer fans will be in attendance to sample the 340 brews on offer, with popular sessions of the festival already sold out.
The event will include a live sound stage, aerial performances, as well as roaming theatrical shows. Artisan food and brewery stalls will complete the ‘beer-wonderland’ experience.
Other attractions that festival-goers can expect to see include dry water, synchronised swimmers, smoke machines with lasers, the Fashion Police, and even a former Queenstown gondola.
Beervana Manager, Ryan McArthur said that the festival tends to have a different trend year-on-year in terms of Beer style, with 2023 opting for the pastry stout trend.
“There’s a lot of Hazys, Sours and IPAs, alongside more traditional stouts, British and German styles. Randomly there’s even an uptick in Red IPAs. We also have 35 medal-winning beers and two trophy winners from the recent Brewers Guild New Zealand Awards, so Beervana really is the place to taste the best of New Zealand brewing,” said McArthur.
Australian beers will also be on offer at the festival, allowing guests to try Brouhaha, Moffat Brewing and Blackflag, who will be exhibiting their beverages from the Sunshine Coast. One Drop Brewing will also be in attendance, direct from New South Wales, and will complete the Australian contingent.
“The Funk On the Water stand will be a good one to check out; it’s a ‘festival within a festival’ focusing on the world of wild and sour fermentations. I also encourage people to support our latest ‘New Kids On the Block’ stand, which features brand new breweries Thief, Pacific Coast and Alchemy Street Brewing.”
Beervana has continually seen a growth in demand for non-alcoholic beers on offer, with New Zealand’s only zero-alcohol-focused brewery, State of Play, exhibiting. Non-beer drinkers can also rejoice in the wide range of cider, seltzer, beer cocktails, and hard ginger beer on offer.
Some of Wellington’s best food outlets will also be showcasing at Beervana, with Boulcott Street Bistro, House of Dumplings, Soul Shack, and Wilson’s BBQ, all expected to make an appearance. Mahurangi Oysters will also make a welcomed return to the festival.
McArthur added that it is encouraged for guests to take their time and try something different. He said that Hop Federation will be celebrating its 10th anniversary at the event, and will bring back its legendary crayfish cheese rolls from chef Martin Bosley.
