Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:56): It was a cool winter's evening when I had the pleasure of attending the second Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival in the Brick Cattle Pavilion and Lawns at the Adelaide Showground. Despite the chill, warm fires, boutique beer and the sweet smell of barbecue smoke swept away any sign of winter blues amongst the enthusiastic revellers and beer crafting artisans. Over 10,000 people enjoyed the event, which ran over three days from 8 July to 10 July.

This year's event was host to the cream of South Australian, Australian and international beer and cider makers, with over 50 exhibitors, including Barossa Valley Brewing Company, Lobethal Bierhaus, Kangaroo Island Ciders, Pirate Life, Young Henry's and, of course, the Royal Adelaide Beer and Cider Award winners, Smiling Samoyed Brewery, whose dark ale took out the trophy for the most outstanding beer in the show.

The August edition of the Society magazine reported that 42 brewers from around Australia submitted a combined total of 196 entries. The magazine also reported that South Australia-based breweries cleaned up at the awards, winning every trophy up for grabs, with the exception of one trophy.

Great local bands were showcased on the new mainstage, including talented local lads, and one of my favourites, the New Yorks, whose energetic performance contrasted beautifully with the moody tones of follow-up act Cosmo Thundercat. Other main stage performers included Gentlemen's Record Club, Koral and The Goodbye Horses, Wasted Wanderers, Shaolin Afronauts, Zen Panda DJs, The Montreals, Panama, The John Steel Singers and Oisima. The crafty container decks staged Luke Penman, Delta, Pero, Penfold, Aaron Byrne, Troy J. Been, Young Muscle DJs, Mr Paul Gurry, Mark Mackay, Todd C and Matt Oakley.

Meals were a quirky combination of some of Adelaide's best restaurants and visiting national and international barbecue legends, including barbecue ambassador Duncan Welgemoed (of Africola fame) and Rodney Scott, South Carolina's whole hog smokehouse legend representing Scott's Bar-B-Que. Restaurants including Golden Boy, Comida, Gilbert Street Hotel, Rosa's Argentinian Kitchen, Jack Ruby and, of course, Africola, were serving up exciting tasting plates perfectly paired with the various beers on display.

The cashless payment system using charged-up wristbands ensured quick and easy service with very few queues at brewer stands and a great way to keep tabs on expenditure. I first came across this system in Auckland during the Auckland City Limits Festival and am certain it is the way of the future.

The craft beer industry has come a long way in Australia, and South Australia is up there with the best. Craft brewers have taken backyard experimentation a long way from humble beginnings and are proof that boutique beer is on a par with wine when it comes to showcasing South Australian talent. Minister Maher has also acknowledged that there is an increasing interest in craft brewing. Minister Maher has said that this increase in interest is:

…presenting new opportunities for innovation across the sector and paving the way for small brewers in this state to enter the market.

This trend also brings greater opportunity to attract more tourism to the state and the regions in which South Australian craft beers are being produced. The Fleurieu can be seen as one of the areas attracting craft beer tours. Event organiser Gareth Lewis affirms that barbecue and beer are finely paired, with this event being the perfect opportunity to try it out. For those interested in the production as well as consumption of the fine brew, a number of master classes were scheduled on how to perfectly match beer and food, starting your own brewery and the future direction of the craft beer landscape.

I must say that I am a fan of the weekend barbecue, but the competitors in the barbecue tents were at a whole different level. A serious smoker can be the size of a small vehicle and crucial to developing the signature taste of each end product. 'Delicious', 'hearty' and 'unique' are some of the words that come to mind. The 2016 Beer & BBQ Festival was a resounding success. My congratulations must go out to festival organisers, ambassadors and exhibitors for a superbly presented event. I am confident that this expanding industry will see South Australia right at the head of the craft-brewing juggernaut.