Beer Festival hails good vibes

THE Geelong Beer Festival has toasted a successful event over the weekend, with about 5,000 people coming to Johnstone Park to try the beverages on offer.

Starting at noon on Saturday, the festival presented a lineup of breweries, cideries, distilleries, cocktail specialists and vineyards as well as food trucks, family-friendly activities, masterclasses, and live music including a headline DJ set from Bag Raiders.

Festival director Kieran Blood said he was very happy overall with the event.

“We absolutely nailed it with the weather, it was just perfect – it hovered around 25 degress during the day and then the high of 28 was in the early evening, but it stayed comfortable.

“We had a really good crowd – it’s probably the most kids and families we’ve ever had, and a really amazing vibe.

“It really achieved what we were setting out to do with the new brand: giving it a party feel, making it fun, beer and entertainment, and all things like that.”

He said about 5,000 people attended the festival over the course of the day, but the maximum attendance at any one point was less than that, as people came and went during the day.

“There was a really consistent sort of crowd, it was really comfortable, everyone had space to lay out a picnic blanket, there were lots of tables and chairs.”

Mr Blood confirmed the Geelong Beer Festival would be back in Johnstone Park in 2025 and 2026.