Glenorchy Brew Co owner Steve Newland has brought 10 kegs of his best home brew for festival-goers to taste at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight and tomorrow.
Now in it 13th year, the beer festival will have more than 150 brews on offer and cuisine from 75 food vendors.
Festival director Jason Schroeder said about 12,000 people were expected through the gates over the two days.
The festival will also feature music from Gin Wigmore, Tiki Taane and Bootleg Rascal.
Mr Newland began producing his home brew in Glenorchy in 2018.
"I’m pretty much a one-man-band; I’ve got a pretty small system."
The part-time brewer had a 500-litre made-for-purpose system built into his double garage and could brew about eight kegs at a time.
Despite being small, the business was mighty, he said.
All licensed premises in Glenorchy sold his beers, and his beer was popping up in craft bars around Queenstown and Arrowtown as well.
This year, his Glacier IPA and Pure Pilsner won silver at the New Zealand Beer Awards, and his Mountain Ale and Dark Sky Stout claimed bronze medals.
He was happy to keep things "hyper-local" and keep the brewery at a "manageable" size, producing about 1500 litres a month.
"I’m very passionate about trying to brew the best beer possible and that's what continues to motivate me to be a brewer."
He said he brewed for the "love of beer" and did not have any ambitions to become the next Richard Emerson.
