Craft beer celebrated in style

Craft beer enthusiasts could finally enjoy a well-overdue cold one this weekend.

After being postponed due to Covid-19, The Southland Beer, Wine and Wild Food Festival on Saturday attracted thousands of people to the ILT Stadium Southland in Invercargill.

Invercargill friends (from left) Kiri Hogan, Megan Johnstone, Jodie Young, Greg Forbes, Jena...
Invercargill friends (from left) Kiri Hogan, Megan Johnstone, Jodie Young, Greg Forbes, Jena Young and Daniel Munro were among the thousands of beer enthusiasts who enjoyed the event. PHOTOS: LUISA GIRAO
Invercargill woman Jena Young said she and her group of friends had not missed any edition of the event.

"It is so good to have this event back in Invercargill.

"It is something we can do with our mates during the day and have a great time," she said.

She and her friends were dressed as Wally with red and white striped shirt, bobble hat and glasses.

"We came here and saw some people dressed up at the first edition and from there we just decided that we would come up with a different theme every year. So we already been beer cans, road cones, beer pongs."

Her friend Kiri Hogan said they had already started to plan for next year’s costume.

"We are thinking about a six pack or Jenga," she laughed.

Southland Beer, Wine and Wild Food Festival manager Kevin Downie raises a glass to celebrate how...
Southland Beer, Wine and Wild Food Festival manager Kevin Downie raises a glass to celebrate how well the event turned out.
Event manager Kevin Downie said it was a great opportunity for people to have a good time while having a taste — and a sip — of the best products of the region.

The event had expanded from the old Hop N’Vine Food Festival and now included more options, he said.

"It celebrates quality food and beverages produced across Southland.

"We’ve got 19 breweries, 11 food stands, so we have a lot of variety.

"We have many wild foods, Southland food content, to actually attract people from other areas to come and visit the area.

Gadoochi Brewery crew Jake Ellenden, Chris Ellenden and Damon Milne toast the event.
Gadoochi Brewery crew Jake Ellenden, Chris Ellenden and Damon Milne toast the event.
"There have never been so many breweries in the Southland and Otago area. So it is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of the product," he said.

luisa.girao@odt.co.nz

 

 

 

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