A great way to celebrate beer in Geelong

Geelong’s Johnston Park will host the Great Australian Beer Festival in January.

Now in its eighth year, the festival attracts about 5,000 people.

Festival director Michael Ward said that while Geelong Racecourse (which has hosted the first seven iterations) had been great, the chance to hold the festival in Johnstone Park was particularly exciting.

“To get the iconic Johnstone Park given to us by the city, we just can’t knock that back. It’s just right in the CBD, it’s just across from the railway station, it’s just ideal.”

More than 200 beers and ciders from more than 40 breweries will be available for tasting.

There will also be brewing experts present to host interactive masterclasses, giving people a chance to learn the story behind some of the beers and of course pouring samples to thirsty festivalgoers in the process.

But it’s not just about the beer, as Sneaky Sound System, Kim Churchill and The Kite Machine will each take the stage on the day.

The festival will also have its very own piano bar, which will see fancy dance-offs and best beard competitions held as well as music by Andy Pobjoy

The beers themselves will come from breweries near and far.

Mr Ward said the festival was very deliberate with the breweries invited to ensure there was plenty of variety and that the quality was high.

“We search for the best possible brewers across the country. We want to represent every state, and then that complements our unique breweries in this region ourselves.”

“We’ve got four champion brewers from the Australian International Beer Awards.”

This includes Torquay’s Blackman’s Brewery, who won the Champion Small Australian Brewery award.

In addition to Blackman’s, Breweries such as 4 Pines, Balter, Prancing Pony and Green Beacon will all be at the festival.

There is also still the chance for people to volunteer. There will be perks for those willing to put up their hands, with those volunteering for the first half of the festival getting a festival ticket and those volunteering in the second half being given a shirt, stubby holder and beer mat.

The festival will be held on January 18 from 1-8pm.

To find out more or volunteer for the event, head to gabfgeelong.com.au.