Back for its ninth big year – South Australia’s Beer & Cider Festival at the Arkaba Hotel continues to pioneer, in the home State of fine beverages.
Originally started by a somewhat precocious marketing manager, as a spin-off of the long popular celebration of beer – Oktoberfest, the Arkaba Festival was originally held each October.
Since then it has grown rapidly and steadily, and this year more than 80 beers and ciders from around Australia and the world will be on show – Sunday, 28 June.
“We recognised the need to include cider in 2011 as the category started to increase in popularity,” Hurley Hotel Group marketing manager, Glen Aikman told PubTIC.
“Last year was the first year that we moved the event to the winter months, which gave us the opportunity to feature great dark beers as well as easy drinking summer beers, and some of the winter ciders that are now available that can be served warm.”
The move to the colder months was reportedly well received by patrons, with the biggest attendance to date a strong indication of public appetite for these artisanal events.
2015 will feature its own first – a special guest – with Dr Tim Cooper dropping by to “chat about all things brewing”.
The Hotel backs up the beverages with festive dishes to complement the drinks, including house specialty gourmet hot dogs.
Doors open to the Festival in the Arkaba’s iconic Top Room at 11am, winding up at 4pm. Tickets are available online or at the door.
This year’s producers are:
Barossa Valley Brewing
Carlton & United Breweries
Clare Valley Brewing
Coca-Cola Amatil
Coopers
Festival City
Lion Nathan
Lobo Cider
Micro Cider Co.
Pirate Life
Prancing Pony
Robert Oatley
Sidewood
Vale Ale
VOK
Wine Sellar