By NICOLE VALICEK
THERE won’t be a dry mouth in sight this weekend when the Williamstown Heritage Beer and Cider festival comes to town.
The inaugural festival was born from an idea to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Steam Packet Hotel in Cole St.
“The idea came from the pub turning 150 years old this year,” festival director Scott Meager said.
“Also, on January 7, the liquor licence turns 175. I thought we should have an event to celebrate both.”
The festival will take place just a short walk from the pub on 23 November, featuring a mixture of brewers stalls, live entertainment and a handful of cider and wine stalls.
An exclusive festival brew created in collaboration with Two Birds Brewing and festival director Scott Meager will be showcased at the festival.
Mr Meager said the idea for the Pale Ale recently named The Forager of Williamstown came after he discovered Williamstown use to have its own breweries in the 1800s.
He wanted to create a beer in the style of one from the 1800s that represented Williamstown and highlighted the heritage.
The Forager of Williamstown Pale Ale will be on tap for a month. There will also be 80 different beer varieties to try on the day including seasonal batched one off brew.
“It is certainly an exciting time for the festival as the main reason it was founded now becomes what we hope to be a fantastic and easy drinking beer,” Mr Meager said.
In total, there will be 23 different beer, cider and wine makers with more than 70 products up for tasting at the festival. The event is the first of its kind in the western suburbs and is planned to become an annual event.
The festival is an 18 years plus event. Tickets can be purchased at http://willybeerfest.com.au.
