Alright beer lovers, it's almost time.
The Geelong Beer Festival, a haven for craft brew connoisseurs and culinary aficionados alike, is gearing up for an unforgettable edition this summer with the star-studded participation of renowned TV personality and culinary maestro, Adrian Richardson.
Famed for his adventures on shows like Good Chef-Bad Chef and Boys Weekend (alongside culinary heavyweights Manu Feildel, Gary Mehigan, and Miguel Maestre), Richardson is set to infuse the festival with his infectious passion for regional Australian produce.
The celebrated chef, with guest appearances on MasterChef Australia and Iron Chef America under his belt, expresses his excitement for the event, saying, “Food and drink always taste best close to the source. I can’t wait to celebrate and share what the Greater Geelong and Bellarine region has to offer at Geelong Beer Festival.”
Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.
The festival, scheduled for January 20, will host exclusive masterclasses, demonstrations, and tasting sessions. One highlight is a session led by local expert Steven Nichols from Workers Barbecue, who will guide attendees through the art of trimming a brisket from 1 pm to 1.45 pm.
Following Nicols’ session, at 2 pm to 2.45 pm, the culinary spotlight will shift to Adrian Richardson as he takes centre stage with ‘Unleash Your Inner Sausage Master.’ Known for his culinary prowess and recent gastronomic masterpiece at Maestro, Holiday Inn and Suites Geelong, Richardson will share the secrets behind crafting delectable sausages. Participants can anticipate an engaging and insightful session, learning easy techniques, seasoning secrets, and insider tips to create mouth-watering sausages tailored to their preferences.
The collaboration between Executive Chef Migo Razon and Adrian Richardson at the newly launched local hotspot, Maestro, has delighted Geelong with a symphony of flavours. Maestro showcases the region’s finest ingredients from the Golden Plains, Otway’s, Moorabool Valley, and the Bellarine Peninsula, transforming them into imaginative dishes that captivate the palate.
“Maestro strikes the perfect balance,” Richardson shares. “Bringing my love of meat and family-style cooking to Geelong, Maestro promises great quality food at homegrown prices, captivating locals and tourists alike.”
Adrian Richardson’s culinary masterpiece, Maestro, opens in the heart of Geelong
Geelong BeerFest is a celebration of the region’s finest in food, drink, arts, and entertainment. It brings together over 40 world-class breweries, cideries, distilleries, cocktail specialists, and vineyards. Expect to find tipples from the likes of Archive wine bar (wine and spirits), Austin’s Wines, Banks Brewing, Better Beer, Blackmans Brewery & Coast Seltzer, Bright Brewery, Captains Brewing, Cavalier Brewing, Cockies/Great Ocean Road Brewing, Co Conspirators, Coopers, Deeds Brewing, Farm Dog Brewers and Distillers, and heaps more.
Foodies can indulge in local gourmet street food from the likes of Archive Wine bar (cheeses), Bavarian Bangers, Chubby Bao, Lil Dumpling Van, Pizza Party Hire, The Happy Mexican, Athens Traditional Souvlaki, Workers Barbecue, Goldie Boy, and Amazing Calamari.
This culinary delight is complemented by a dynamic program of live entertainment and curated activities.
Festival-goers can expect a journey of the senses from the moment they enter the site, with non-stop free entertainment and activities including celebrity cooking demonstrations, brewer masterclasses, and cocktail mixology sessions at the Masterclass and Culinary Stage.
The Better Beer Main Stage will feature headliners The Bag Raiders (DJ Set) supported by local favourites Famous Will and local covers band Madhouse. Roving performers, kids’ entertainment, and family-friendly activities complete the festival experience.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024, 12 pm – 8 pm
- Location: Johnstone Park, Geelong CBD
- Tickets: Limited tickets available online here
