Heathcote Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest (and homebrew comp!)

[Oliver]

Hi all,

I received this press release from the organisers of the Snag, Beer & Bubble Rest.

Interesting concept and I might even try and pop along myself.

Mmmm ... beer and meat!

Cheers,

Oliver

The Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest – 5 March 2011 11.30 to 5pm.
The only place to be on Saturday March 5 is at the Heathcote Showgrounds for the Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest. Gathering together producers of artisan sausages, micro-brewers of beers and ciders and makers of sparkling wines, the Snag, Beer & Bubble fest, part of the Melbourne Food & Wine Festival is a great way to get to know more of Central Victoria’s stunning produce.

A $15 ticket to the fest includes three free tasting tickets. Guests can sample direct from the maker the snags, beers and bubbles on show before making a selection to enjoy on-site or take home. A full program of live music from some of Central Victoria’s favourite musicians provides the sound track for a perfect afternoon.

Almost twenty beers will be featured from Bridge Road Brewers, Holgate’s Brewhouse, Red Duck and Tooborac Hotel & Brewery – with the brewers themselves behind the taps for most of the day. That is, except when they are judging the homebrew competition, or providing insights and tips at the Homebrew Q & A session. For those wishing to expand their beer spotter skills ‘What beer is that?’ workshops will run through out the day. Similar to a wine tasting, The Dispensary’s Tim Baxter will guide participants through a flight of beers discussing brewing techniques, flavour profiles and even some beer and food matching tips.

Four regional sausage makers will be behind the barbeque including Farmers and small good makers, Warialda Belted Galloways their famed snags. Their brilliant small goods and other beef related treats will be available too. Making their debut at this year’s Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest is Tooborac’s own McIvor Farm Foods with their pork snags made from their free range Berkshire pigs.

For those that prefer a bubbling brew of another kind, cider and sparkling wine maker’s Bress will be on hand, as will Heathcote Wine Region’s Lake Cooper Estate with their sparkling red and white. At the Cellar & Store Bubble Bars cider maker’s Henry of Harcourt and sparkling wine makers Rowanston on the Track or Mia Valley Estate will pour you a glass.

For more information see http://www.snagbeerandbubblefest.com.au.

Buy your tickets on-line and save. Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest tickets can be purchased on line for only $10. Every on-line purchase enters the draw to win a festival in a box – a mixed slab of the beers & bubbles on show.

The Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest Homebrew Comp
Be the winner of the inaugural Snag, Beer & Bubble Fest - Best in Show Medal.

The judging team, led by BJCP accredited brewer Scott Wilson-Browne of Red Duck fame and Paul Holgate of the eponymous Holgate Brewhouse will choose the best beers of each of the five categories and then single out the Best in Show. The Best in Show will be announced live on stage at the fest.

The winner of each of five categories will be special guests of Holgate’s Brewhouse for an exclusive tour of the brewery hosted by Paul. You’ll be talked through each stage of the brewing cycle including tank sampling and then enjoy a tasting paddle of Holgate’s finest. Oh yes, and bragging rights in perpetuity …

Written notes from the judges will be provided to every entrant. Entry forms and full details will be available at http://www.snagbeerandbubblefest.com.au from Australia Day.

[barrelboy]

Was anyone able to make it?

[Oliver]

We went. A good afternoon was had, apart from being too busy thinking about beer and missing the turnoff, which meant we had to backtrack.

Plenty of nice beer and great sausages.

I'd definitely recommend going next year if you get the chance.

It's only fairly small, which is part of the charm. I provided some feedback along those lines to the organisers, along with other constructive criticism

Cheers,

Oliver

EDIT: And if you do go, make sure you get a designated driver, or even better get the bus, which runs from Bendigo.

[barrelboy]

How far out of Bendigo, my lovely misses doesn't drink but.....

[Oliver]

How far out of Bendigo, my lovely misses doesn't drink but.....

About 45ks according to Google Maps.

Oliver