The High Country Hop returns to Beechworth on Saturday 23 March 2024, promising to be a fabulous experience for lovers of craft beer in a family-friendly day of entertainment.

A celebration to mark the end of the annual hop harvest, The High Country Hop brings together a diverse range of top-notch brewers to showcase their delicious beers against a backdrop of live music, food and entertainment.

Now it’s 9th year, festival hosts, Bridge Road Brewers, have seen the event grow and evolve into the beloved festival it is today. Continuing their strong partnership, Bridge Road Brewers are supported once more in hosting this event by Australia’s largest hop grower, Hop Products Australia.

In attendance will be guest breweries from near and far – special guests Deeds Brewing, Good Land Brewing Co and Moffat Beach Brewing Co, join local Victorian High Country breweries Billson’s, Mitta Mitta Brewing Co, Bright Brewery, King River Brewing, Crank Handle Brewery and Mountain Monk Brewers.

As well as celebrating the local hop harvest, the festival announces the release of two iconic beers made using fresh hop cones that were picked and added to the brew same day from Hop Products Australia’s Rostrevor Gardens in Ovens. These beers will be the result of exciting collaborations between Bridge Road Brewers and Champion Brewery winners at the 2023 Australian International Beer Awards, Deeds Brewing and Moffat Beach Brewing Co.

Ben Kraus from Bridge Road Brewers said this lineup represents the cream of Australia’s independent brewing scene.

“The High Country Hop is a celebration of our local region, renowned for having Australia’s best hops and the iconic High Country Brewery Trail.”

“Working closely with Hop Products Australia we have produced beers where the hops have been picked and added same day, delivering the best quality of fresh-hop beers. It’s our salute to the farmers, hop growers and workers who make beer possible.”

“It’s great to be able to brew beers with such company as Deeds and Moffat Beach. They were each awarded Champion Brewery gongs at last year’s industry awards and both produce incredible beers, so are excited to collaborate once more.”

“Local producers are at the heart of our region and we have put a huge focus to celebrating local through this event. Visitors will enjoy unique beers from the 7 famed High-Country breweries, plus we showcase local wine, distillers and a great range of food options onsite.”

To inspire and entertain, an eclectic music lineup brings artists from across the world to the beautiful High-Country town of Beechworth. These include one-man US phenomenon Bob Log III, BBQ punk party-starters The Burnt Sausages, altcountry 4-piece Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, and a special free Friday Night set from seminal UK dub producer, Mad Professor.

The High Country Hop is a family/kid friendly affair. The Arty Party Village sees a selection of fun activities for all ages – including Box Wars who return again to creatively clad young cardboard warriors in, you guessed it, cardboard!

The event will take place on Saturday 23 March 2024 at Beechworth’s Historic Precinct Reserve (police paddocks), from 11.30am to 8pm. Adult tickets are $75 include 10 dollars’ worth of drink tokens.