Plans for commercial hop plantings and a new brew pub are just two indicators of Central Otago's growing craft beer scene, which will be celebrated in Alexandra today.
About 10 Otago breweries, mostly from Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes district, will be filling glasses at Promote Alexandra's third Alexandra Craft Beer Festival from 3pm to 9pm at Pioneer Park.
Among them will be Manuherekia Brewery owners Mat Bell and Jono Love and, for them, it's all about brewing local.
As well a homage to Central in their brewery name, which uses original Maori spelling of Manuherikia, the beer lovers brew using yeast they cultivate, local water and seasonal additions of local produce such as apricots and hazelnuts.
About 10 hop plants grow on their Letts Gully Rd brewery site in Alexandra, but they plan to expand so they can not only hop their own beers but sell the cones commercially.
"We can grow hops here, we've proven that,'' Mr Love said.
Also on the line-up is Ferris Road Brewery owner Sam Forsyth, who is growing his operation after brewing from his garage for more than a year.
By the end of the month he hopes to open a brewery and a small tavern on Ngapara St, Alexandra, where he can double his output and sell to more pubs and stores.
"I'm keen to make more beer, but I'm not trying to conquer the world.''
Mr Forsyth planned to grow more hops after the successfully planting two hop plants in his backyard but had not yet grown enough to brew with.
Organiser Martin McPherson said the event had a much larger showing of local breweries this year.
"A lot have popped up recently, which means we don't have to do so much chasing of Dunedin breweries.
"The popularity of craft beer has grown ... and we want to celebrate a growing industry.''
Last year the turnout was "a bit disappointing'' due to too much competition during its Christmas-period event date, but he expected a good crowd this year, he said.
"I would advise everyone to bring sun block, summer brollies and deck chairs so they can make a relaxing day of it.''
Drinkers will be entertained by Alexandra bands Burning Fridges and Kamikaze Mistress and Dunedin's Sea Beast.
Supervised children under 18 get in free.
