Media Release

Victorian boutique brews in demand

Victoria’s boutique brews are proving to be the preferred taste for Melbourne drinkers with tickets to the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase selling fast.

Australian consumers are drinking more craft and premium beers, despite a 65-year low in beer consumption, reports Australian Bureau of Statistics, positioning Victoria’s boutique brewers in prime, competitive position.

Showcasing their most in-demand brews, over 20 boutique breweries from every corner of Victoria will come together in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD for the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase, Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 March, and back by popular demand is the dedicated Cider Garden, with eight local cider producers.

Industry Haven

The Showcase has become a must-attend event for regional brewers, exhibitors and industry groups. The March Showcase will include 27 breweries, 7 industry exhibitors and 8 of Victoria’s best cider producers – providing consumers the very best taste of the industry. The pinnacle event for both consumer and producers, the Microbreweries Showcase in March will launch The Australian Cider Guide, following the success of sister publication, The Beer Lovers Guide to Australia.

Launching Pad

The Microbreweries Showcase has become the perfect launching pad for beer entrepreneurs. The March Showcase will launch the new beer, Boneyard Brewing produced by Melbourne restaurant Josie Bones – the brainchild of Masterchef competitors Chris Badenoch and Julia Jenkins.

Last year’s newcomer, Lucky Duck Cider Company introduced themselves to Melbourne at the Showcase and business has been exponential since.

Lucky Duck Cider Company Director Colby Kitchin: “We attended the March 2012 Microbreweries Showcase only two weeks after launching Lucky Duck Apple Cider. It was an amazing opportunity to connect with craft cider drinkers and introduce them to our product. We were blown away by the response and the great feedback from attendees and other brewers alike and astonished to receive the two cider awards [Best Cider and Best Cider Producer]. We can’t wait for the 2013 event to reconnect with Melbourne’s beer and cider lovers.”

Lucky Duck will also be launching their new collection of Ducktails. The Cider cocktails will include:

• Miss Iris Duckfoot – Lucky Duck Cider with vodka, aperol, vanilla and white grapefruit juice
• Archibald Firzquacktrick – Lucky Duck Cider with gin, cassis, lime and basil leaves
• Esme Wadleright – Lucky Duck Cider with dark rum, pineapple juice, honey, lime and passionfruit.

Cavalier Brewing who also launched their first brews at the Showcase, will be celebrating their second anniversary in March.

Heath Shirtcliffe of Cavalier Brewing: “Exactly two years ago we officially launched Cavalier Brewing at the Showcase, we had no idea what to expect and were surprised to have taken out the People’s Choice Awards for Best Brewery and Best Wheat Beer. At the time we had only been a registered business for two weeks and were brewing one hectolitre a day, now we’re looking into a new set up where we could brew up to 30 hectolitres a day.”.

Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase

When: Wednesday 20 + Thursday 21 March, 4.30pm – 8.00pm
Where: The Atrium + Cider Garden in The Edge, Federation Square
Price: $25 + booking fee from ticketmaster.com.au (200 tickets will be held on reserve for door sales)
More Info: fedsquare.com/beer