Ending a thirsty hiatus, Sydney Beer Week is making its “triumphant return” and promising an exciting revival of celebrating Sydney’s thriving beer culture.
Sydney Beer Week (SBW) will roll into town in 2024, marking a refresh of the city’s beer festival under new leadership, welcoming “beer enthusiasts, industry professionals, and anyone who appreciates exceptional experiences”.
Driving the draught now is Peter Anstey, atop his role as GM of Oscars Group’s Hotel Sweeneys.
A staple of the craft beer scene since 2012, Anstey has become a respected figure in the industry through his curation of a wide range of quality beers, fostering the local and international craft beer community.
Eyeing Melbourne’s Good Beer Week, Anstey was struck with a drive to revive Sydney’s dedication to the drop, celebrating venues and customers, as well as “our amazing breweries”.
“Australia now boasts excellent breweries and beers, and we should be out there supporting our industry and the people who dedicate their lives to providing us with some of the best beer and venues that give us some of the best times of our lives,” he says.
Joining the party to collaborate with Anstey is long-term Australian beer scene supporter Josh Quantrill, previously associated with brands such as Capital Brewing, BrewDog and 4 Pines.
Together, Anstey and “JQ” aim to reshape SBW into a dynamic and inclusive event that unites the beer community, while Quantrill stresses the importance of supporting venues going forward.
“The plan is very much to put venues front and centre during SBW, moving away from brewery-led events,” he explains.
“We want to see a more collaborative approach, where producers host events within licensed premises.
“Venues are an incredible part of the beer scene, and supporting them is paramount as we bring back SBW. Symbiotic relationships between breweries and venues has brought about some of the most incredible experiences, alongside financial stability, and working together is the only way for all to continue into the future.”
Anstey notes there is much to decide and “plenty of work to do” in preparing the events and locations for SBW 2024, but believes the time has come to start the ball rolling.
“Now is the time to see the end of the COVID era and have a celebration that everyone wants to be part of.
“We want to celebrate our people, our industry, and our pubs, and everyone’s invited.”
The event is being promoted under @SydneyBeerWeek on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information, visit Sydney Beer Week or contact Peter Anstey (peter@sydneybeerweek.com.au) or Josh Quantrill (josh@sydneybeerweek.com.au).
