The Great Kiwi Beer Festival – the event of summer in Christchurch

Attention all beer lovers, home brewers, music enthusiasts and foodies, on 25 February The Great Kiwi Beer Festival is coming to Hagley Park.

The Great Kiwi Beer Festival, proudly presented by Canterbury event managers Team Event and principal sponsor Superliquor, is a celebration of New Zealand’s rapidly growing brewing industry – unique, boutique and delicious beers which are changing the face of the classic Kiwi pint.

Hosted by industry experts and featuring more than 100 local, national and international brews The Great Kiwi Beer Festival will give festival goers the rare opportunity to sample some of the most innovative and talked about beers on the market. Confirmed exhibiting breweries include Tuatara, Moa, Old Mout Cider, Mike’s Organic Brewery, Epic, Wigram Brewing Company and Yeastie Boys.

More than 30 gourmet food producers, representing some of the South Island’s leading chefs and restaurateurs will ensure there is no shortage of mouth-watering barbequed meats, fresh seafood, sweet treats and international delights to compliment the true star of the show. 

Live music performances from The Black Seeds, AHoriBuzz, The Nudge, The Unfaithful Ways and DJ’s Nacoa and Seth Hamilton will complete this ultimate Kiwi summer event.

Beer seminars, cooking demonstrations and beer and food matching will provide guests with a full day of activities to suit any level of beer appreciation and for wine devotees, a wine garden will be on site.

The Great Kiwi Beer Festival is a family friendly event, and children under 12 are free with an accompanying adult.

Entry includes a souvenir beer glass and access to all seminars, exhibitions and entertainment. General admission tickets are $29.50 and on sale through Eventfinder or visit www.greatkiwibeerfestival.co.nz for more information. 

Leading attractions include:

Hashigo Zake's World of Beer

Importing companies Hashigo Zake and Malz & Hopfen are collaborating to serve on tap a range of imports of unprecedented quality and freshness. On offer will be beers from some of the biggest names in the US craft beer movement - Green Flash, Bear Republic, Ballast Point, Coronado and Moylan's. They'll also have the best of the old world with fine wheat beer and pilsners from the 178 year old Waldhaus brewery in Germany's Black Forest and Europe's new wave beers by Norway's Nøgne Ø and Denmark's Mikkeller.  

SOBA Brewers Table

The Brewers table is hosted by the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA) and gives festival attendees a unique opportunity to catch up with some of the people who deliver great kiwi beers! Informal presentations will allow attendees to learn tips of the trade, chat with brewers, and find out all they ever wanted to know about the beer industry in New Zealand.

The Great Kiwi Beer Festival VIP Experience

A unique VIP Experience has been created for those who want a hassle free day in luxury. For just $95 they will receive fast track entry into the event and head straight to an exclusive VIP area with reserved seating. From here VIP’s enjoy a complimentary bar and all-day gourmet brewers BBQ hosted by a special guest chef. Tickets are strictly limited.