Good time enthusiasts rejoice, for Queensland Beer Week is back in 2013, with even more venues and tantalising brews to savour.
Stroll into Paddington to witness a chilli cook-off complemented with some of the finest Australian craft beers. Or pop over to Woolloongabba to 'meet the brewer', and try some exclusive craft beers that may never be seen again.
These are the opportunities that arise during Queensland Beer Week, and they’re only the tip of the iceberg. The event boasts a variety of good times, with initiatives from over a dozen venues to educate the public on craft beer. Event organiser Mark Midro explains the best way to approach the week.
“The idea would be you get a group of people together, go down in a great environment and try a whole different range of beers and learn about what you're drinking. That's what we're aiming to do, is provide an easy in, and make it accessible for people to come into the market and realise; beer can have flavour!
“It's all about education. That's why we have the brewers involved, that's why they design specific food to match the beers and explore flavour within the brew. It's all about learning how to enjoy and appreciate good beer.”
Mark says there's a lot of drinkers that are missing out on another world of beer experience, and it stems from lack of knowledge.
“It can be intimidating; rocking into some of these craft beer bars, where there's these huge menus full of words and names, and you're left scratching your head thinking about what you're gonna have. That's what I like about this year, is that you don't have to know a lot about craft beer to enjoy yourself.”
The future looks bright for craft beer growth in Queensland.
“I think it has massive potential to grow, but I think the consumer is more aware of what they're drinking nowadays. We all know what our standard beers are, but people are thinking’ 'there's something else out there'. It's up to the pubs now to provide their consumer with a bit more variety, and what you're going to see now is more venues adding craft beer to their menus, because people want change.”
Queensland Beer Week runs July 13-21.
queenslandbeerweek.com.au
