The Cambrian gets the party started

AT least one venue plans to get this year’s Bendigo on the Hop party going early, with a free opening event and breweries showcase on Friday 30 August.

The Cambrian Hotel in Arnold Street will host the opening party from 5pm, with free Korean fried chicken wings from 6pm until they’re gone.

The actual Bendigo on the Hop festival – the 10th celebration of craft beer in the city – gets under way at 11am on Saturday 31 August and runs until 6pm.

Pre-bought tickets are associated with one starting venue, where holders will collect sample tokens, a souvenir glass and a wristband which are theirs to use throughout the day.

Each participating venue will host two breweries and will offer two beers – one from their core range and one rare or unique beer.

Sample tokens can be used to choose one of the two beers offered by each brewery. If the drinker wants to try the other beer or decides to buy a full pour, the souvenir glass can be used.

According to festival organiser Bendigo Beer, the number of craft beer venues in central Victoria has grown from a handful to more than 50 in just three years.

The organisation says the event is now regarded as Australia’s best winter beer festival and enjoys the participation of Australia’s leading independent breweries.

Beers brewed exclusively for Bendigo on the Hop will be among the offerings.

Cambrian Hotel venue manager James Baehnisch said the pub had held similar pre-festival events in the past, and they had always been popular.

“(It’s been) very big; a lot of regrets the next day,” he said, laughing. “It’s always been a big night before regardless; I’m just going to be a bit busier.”

Mr Baehnisch said the Cambrian had hosted a brewers’ dinner in the past, but had decided this time to adopt a more open format where it simply bought the beer and participants could take their pick.

Beer produced by nine breweries will be on tap on the night – Hawkers Beer from Melbourne, Tooborac Brewery near Heathcote, Cornella Brewery from Heathcote, Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company in Lilydale, Kaiju! Beer from Huntingdale, Bridge Road Brewers from Beechworth, Mountain Culture Beer Co from Katoomba, NSW, Blackman’s Brewery from Torquay, and King River Brewing from Victoria’s King Valley.

While the opening party and showcase is free, enthusiasts planning on participating are asked to let the venue know by phoning 5443 3363. Tickets are available at bendigobeer.com/both-2024.