Good Beer Week is fast approaching and a highlight for brewers and punters alike has been Brewers & Chewers, an initiative of the Local Taphouse and about to present its third instalment.

Soren shows Prof his poker face

Designed around three of the taphouse founders’ favourite things – meet the brewer, speed-dating and beer and food pairing – Brewers & Chewers is a fantastic way for beer lovers to interact with their brewing heroes in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Co-founder Steve Jeffares has always had a yen to find ways of connecting the brewers with their drinkers and B & C proved to be the perfect vehicle to achieve such an outcome.

“The average beer drinker can sometimes feel a bit intimidated when meeting their ‘idols’’; Jeffares told Australian Brews News, ‘and, while Q & A sessions or meet the brewer events are great, some don’t feel confident asking a question publicly while others just want to say; ‘Love your beers!’ without feeling embarrassed.” The concept of Brewers & Chewers is simple; give both brewer and drinker a forum in which to interact which allows for a chat, a feed and the sharing of some very fine beers.

Guests are seated at tables of seven and the brewers are introduced one at a time to the appreciative audience. They are escorted to a table to sit and chat over a beer and a dinner course. At regular intervals the dinner bell rings and a waiter whisks the brewer and his meal along to the next table. Guests are able to find out a bit about each brewer and his wares or, if the table is familiar with the brewer’s work, a casual conversation about anything and, in some cases, everything, can be enjoyed.

This Good Beer Week Brewers & Chewers will feature the talents of local brewers Tim Thomas (Hop Dog), Scott Brandon (Bright Brewery), Brennan Fielding (Burleigh Brewing) and Ashur Hall (Illawarra Brewing Co) with international guests Jos Ruffel (Garage Project NZ), Eric Ottaway (Brooklyn Brewery US), Jasper Cuppaidge (Camden Town UK) and Leo DiVincenzo (Birra Del Borgo ITALY) rounding out a stunning program.

Each brewer will have a beer for the dinner and a sensational looking menu has been prepared by the Taphouse kitchen crew. Brews News’ own Pete Mitcham will again handle the hosting duties allowing the guests – both brewers and chewers – to feel relaxed to create a night of fun, food and frivolity. As in the past two years, tickets are almost all snapped up and just a handful remain. Head to the Good Beer Week website for details and to secure your spot at what others have described as “one of the best events of Good Beer Week – again!”

Brewers & Chewers is on Wednesday May 22. 7pm until the last brewer leaves!