Lovers of beer need not give into wanderlust and head to Germany for Oktoberfest.
Sydney’s favourite heritage precinct, The Rocks, is offering up two incredible beer festivals this October. The Australian Heritage Hotel returns with their ever-popular Australian Beer Festival (14–16 Oct) while Australia’s oldest Irish pub, The Mercantile present the Guinness & Oyster Festival (16 Oct).
For the 12th year running, Cumberland and Gloucester streets will flow with Australian craft beer as the Australian Heritage Hotel hosts the Australian Beer Festival. Showcasing more than 34 different Australian breweries, the Festival offers up a plethora of activities including blind tastings, meet the brewers sessions, gourmet food stalls and live entertainment.
The Australian Heritage Hotel is one of the oldest pubs in Australia having opened its doors in 1824. Almost 200 years on, it remains one of the liveliest venues in Sydney, offering 25 rotating Australian beers on tap as well as more than 100 different Australian craft beer varieties in a bottle.
Over on George Street two of Ireland’s greatest exports, Guinness and Oysters, come together in a day of indulgence for The Mercantile Hotel’s Guinness and Oyster Festival. The Mercantile Hotel has teamed up with Sydney Cove Oyster Bar’s Head Chef, Rhys Ward, to deliver a free day of fun for the whole family with Irish musicians, dancers, food stalls of delicious oysters and seafood fare, face painting and more.
For almost 100 years, The Mercantile Hotel has earned a reputation as the home of Irish music in Australia and now The Mercantile’s Guinness and Oyster Festival promises to be a celebration of the very best of the Emerald Isle.
The Rocks is a unique heritage precinct with great food experiences, contemporary shopping and an atmosphere that attracts over 14 million visitors every year. With recent investment by the NSW Government to renew and revitalise the visitor experience, now is a great time to come by and soak in the festival atmosphere.
Visit the therocks.com for more information.
DETAILS
12th Annual Australian Beer Festival
When:
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 October, 2016
Friday 14: 4pm – 8pm
Saturday 15: 12 noon – 8pm
Sunday 16: 12 noon – 6pm
Where: The Australian Heritage Hotel,Corner Cumberland and Gloucester streets, The Rocks
Tickets: $37.57 (10 tasting coupons and cup)
Website: www.australianheritagehotel.com
Guinness & Oyster Festival
When: Sunday 16 October from 12 noon
Where: The Mercantile Hotel, 25 George Street, The Rocks
Tickets: Free entry
Website: www.themercantilehotel.com.au