May the Fourth be with you

Not part of the deal: The recipe for Holgate Brewhouse’s Millennium Falcon Emperial IPA, available at the Cambrian Hotel on International Star Wars Day, has been slightly adjusted this year for its 10th iteration, coming in at a still-significant nine per cent ABV. Photo: SHANNON GILES

STAR Wars fanatics of the Planet Bendigo will have the chance to don their best cosmic regalia at the latest annual celebration of the fabled movie franchise at the Cambrian Hotel on 4 May for International Star Wars Day.

As with previous editions of the celebration, a highlight of the event will be tapping a limited-release keg of Holgate Brewhouse’s legendary Millennium Falcon Emperial IPA, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2023.

Assistant manager at the Cambrian and an enthusiastic Star Wars aficionado Natasha Thompson said it’s a light-hearted day on the calendar that staff members and regulars alike always look forward to.

“Since our first Star Wars event in 2016, it’s always been a bit of a laugh and a great opportunity to showcase our long running relationship with Holgate Brewhouse, one of the pioneering independent breweries in Australia,” she said.

“Their Emperial IPA is a seriously good beer, but due to its robust nature, isn’t something you can sit on all night. Thankfully we’ll have plenty of other options on offer.”

“We’ll all be dressing up as our favourite Star Wars characters and encourage anyone who comes along to do so themselves.”

International Star Wars Day is a much-loved international phenomenon that takes place on 4 May annually, a date selected as a play on words of a well-known, much-spoken phrase from Obi-Wan Kenobi.

It all blasts off at the Cambrian Hotel, 200 Arnold Street North Bendigo, on 4 May from 5pm. Bookings can be made by calling 5443 3363.

– BY ALAN CARTER