South West Craft Beer Festival raises a glass this weekend at Signal Park in Busselton

The 11th annual South West Craft Beer Festival starts on Saturday, February 25, as major regional events make their comeback from COVID-19.

The beer festival also suffered a one-year break, but organisers said its thirst-quenching offerings were rolled into one massive event for 2023.

“All of our local craft breweries are getting together showcasing more than 150 beers and ciders at Signal Park, Busselton,” event manager and former Bootleg Brewery boss Michael Brookes said.

“The focus is to give the local South West public an opportunity to try some of the region’s best ales and lagers amongst other beer styles.

“And all-local bands from the region and food trucks turn the day into an amazing experience for all involved.”

The festival was brewed up about 15 years ago when Brookes and friends got together with four craft breweries with a vision of showcasing their wares and celebrating the growth of beer as a complementary offering in what was otherwise known as a famous wine region.

Brookes said since then, the industry had gone full strength and breweries stood shoulder to shoulder with the other Margaret River and Busselton offerings of wine, gourmet food and the region’s stunning landscape.

“I have been involved with craft brewing since the mid-1990s when there was only one craft brewery in the South West and have watched it grow to where it is now,” he said.

Brewhouse Margaret River director Iliya Hastings said he was relishing the chance to get involved after the year-long hiatus.

“It’s a great opportunity for all the breweries in the South West Brewers’ Alliance to get together as an industry and stamp our claim on being one of the best beer regions in Australia,” he said.

“Look out for the Kettle Royale where groups of three breweries have teamed up to do a collab beer against the others.

“We joined up with Eagle Bay and Black Brewing, so come and check it out.”

Eleven of the region’s best breweries will be involved in the Kettle Royale, competing in four teams.

Organisers reassured festival-goers they would have the chance to try all four brews on tap and cast a vote for their favourite team, with the winner announced on the day.

Prices were also being kept low in 2023 to give punters the chance for a solid sample of the offerings, with breweries as far as Denmark making the trek for this year’s event.

But attendees were advised the festival was cashless and also not opting for the often-frustrating token system.

Music would also be on hand, along with a generous range of food vendors, with acts including Grand Casual, Kiki & Co and Sunday Lemonade luring punters into cutting up the grass with their dance moves.

To book tickets and find out more, visit www.swbeerfest.com.au.