Chris Shanahan: Great Australian beer festival February 2015

Australians’ exploding love for cider and craft beer means ever more events combining these lovely drinks with fine food and entertainment.

A big event on the calendar, the Great Australian Beer Festival, is to be held at Geelong Racecourse on Saturday 21 February.

The organisers are yet to announce details of entertainment and food at the event. But they expect to offer more than 200 craft beers and ciders.

Brewers supporting the event include the two big boys, Lion (Little Creatures) and CUB (Matilda Bay) as well as a number of smaller independents. These include Prickly Moses, Southern Bay Brew Co, Mountain Goat, Murray’s, Stone and Wood, Napoleone and Holgate.

The website (gabfgeelong.com.au) provides updates on the event as it takes shape. Entry to the event costs $44 online (including online transaction fee) but will be $50 at the gate. Drink tokens cost extra.