Say cheese for beers

THE worlds of cheese and beer will collide for the first time at Torquay’s Blackmans Brewery this month.

The much-loved institution will be hosting its Beer and Cheese Festival on the Surf Coast on November 23.

Blackmans will be teaming up with Geelong foodies Splatters Cheese Bar to bring together a day filled with delicious food and beverages.

The event will be headlined by a showstopping pairing session led by head cheese master Jo Bangles and head brewer at Blackman’s Matt Atkins.

A special masterclass will also be hosted by Blackmans owner Renn Blackman, alongside live music, beer and cheese paddles and gourmet cheese boxes.

Mr Blackman said they were looking forward to launching the concept in Torquay after several years of success at their Geelong brewery.

“There’s probably a lot of wine and cheese events, but not as many beer ones.

“Beer is incredibly versatile, there’s so many styles and flavours, making it almost a better pairing than wines.

“Smoked cheddar and smoked porta work really well together, or a creamy camembert and a wildberry sour.

“There’ll be heaps of really cool combinations that’ll come out.”

Mr Blackman said they were expecting a few hundred people coming through the doors.

“It’s a good vibe and is usually received really well by the community.”