Beerfest

Beerfest is Melbourne Brewers’ annual homebrew competition, held each February and open to brewers from across Victoria.

Organised by one of Melbourne’s longest-running brewing clubs, Beerfest brings together brewers of all experience levels to share their beers, get feedback, and see how they stack up.

About the Day

While judging is at the heart of Beerfest, the day is just as much about catching up, talking beer, and seeing what everyone’s been brewing.

Entries are judged in flights throughout the day, and as judging wraps up, beers make their way out for sampling. Visitors are welcome to drop in, watch the judging, and taste beers as they come off the tables.

It’s a relaxed, social day with plenty of good beer and good company.

Judging

Beerfest is a registered BJCP competition, with beers assessed against style guidelines by experienced and BJCP-qualified judges.

All entrants receive feedback to help improve their brewing, whether it’s their first competition or they’ve entered many before.

History

Beerfest was first held in 1993 after the head brewer at Grand Ridge Brewery in Mirboo North, Gippsland, proposed hosting an annual craft brewing competition at the recently established brewery. A founding committee was formed, drawing members from the Bayside Brewers club alongside the original owners of Greensborough Home Brew, Grain & Grape, The Brewers Den, Southern Home Brewing and Sale Home Brewing. The inaugural Beerfest attracted 134 entries.

By 2000, Beerfest had become the longest-running open craft brewing competition in Victoria and was second in size only to Vicbrew, the Victorian state championship. Beerfest 2011 attracted 300 entries from brewing club members and independent brewers across Victoria. That same year, the inaugural Gippsland Cup was held as a sub-competition — an event dedicated to Gippsland home brewers, providing competition experience and feedback in a region without its own brewing competition.

The event has moved venues several times over the years: