In 2015, the Gold Coast hosted its first beer week when Free The Hops curated an event a day run at different venues across the region. A year on and the event is back – taking place in a landscape that grows craftier seemingly every day.
Now under the guidance of one of the owners of Southport's Not Tonight, it kicks off with a street party featuring brewers and beers from six locals: Black Hops, Balter, Burleigh, Stone & Wood, Beard & Brau and Fortitude on October 1 then runs through until Sunday, October 9.
Over the course of the week (and a bit) you can look out for tap takeovers, brewer hosted degustations, heaps of smoked and BBQ's meat, a beer launch, music, trivia and a brewery tour.
You'll find full details of the lineup at the festival website here.
While many of the events are free, those that you'll need to snap up tickets for in advance include:
- 4 Pines Beer Dinner at The Glenelg Public House
- The Hop On Brewery Tours Coldie on the Goldie
- Brewers Lunch at Bine Bar
Other venues taking part include Lester & Earl, Etsu, Surfers Sandbar, Loose Moose and Aloha Bar.
For more on the Gold Coast's beer scene, check out our two-part guide here and here.
And if you're a Crafty Pint supporter signed up to the Crafty Cabal, you can redeem offers at Bine Bar, Balter, Burleigh and Fortitude while on the coast (with Black Hops coming soon...).