Citing the uncertainty around Covid-19 restrictions, the organisers of the Wānaka Beer Festival have decided to postpone the event until April next year.

The summer festival, held annually over the last five years, was originally scheduled for December 4 and early bird tickets for this year's event sold out by early October.

Wānaka Beer Festival operations manager Sarah Parkinson said the decision to postpone the event, which celebrates local brewers and food vendors, was not made lightly.

“We held onto hope, for as long as we could, that we would have the go-ahead from the government,” Sarah said.

Under level two restrictions, events held outdoors but not at an event facility are limited to 100 people, and the beer festival was expected to draw close to 2,500 attendees this year, she said.

The ever-popular festival brings together food and drink vendors, live entertainment and festival goers for an event celebrating the best brews at the start of the summer season.

Sarah said she hoped ticket holders would be able to attend the festival for its new April 2 date.

“Unfortunately in the end, we felt it was time to postpone and allow everyone to adjust their travel plans and look forward to the new date,” Sarah said.

“We are sincerely sorry that we could not find some way to maneuver [around] these restrictions and for any headache it may cause.”

Tickets purchased for this year's beer festival will be valid for the event in April next year. 

Refunds are available if ticket holders are unable to make the new date and can be claimed by emailing [email protected].

Events associated with the beer festival including Wanaka Beer & Food Week and The Homebrew Competition are also postponed. 

The Wānaka Beer Fest was scheduled to take place at the Wānaka Showgrounds on Saturday December 4.

PHOTO: Wānaka App