Wānaka Beerfest is back for its sixth year this December with new breweries, food vendors and entertainment offerings for festival-goers.

Earlybird tickets have already sold out and festival organiser James Julian said this year’s beerfest will be the biggest so far, with a total of 2,500 tickets on sale. 

“As well as increasing the number of attendees we are also increasing vendor numbers, having more entertainment, and we’ll reveal some exciting additions on the day,” James said.

A small group of brewers and brew-enthusiasts put together the inaugural 2015 festival on a hunch, and it has since grown to become one of the big attractions on Wānaka’s event calendar, showcasing local breweries as well as hand-picked brews from further afield.

This year organisers have also focused on reducing the environmental footprint of the event.

“We will be using reusable cups as always, but we will eradicate all food takeaway containers from our food trucks with the help of Wanakup who will provide cutlery and plates that will be washed and sanitised at the event,” James said.

The Wānaka Beerfest will return to the showgrounds this year.

“We are also partnering with Air New Zealand to ensure that all patrons flying to the event will have their carbon calculated and Wānaka Beerfest will plant trees not only for every patron and vendor but also for national travel.”

The final number of drinks vendors is yet to be confirmed but James promises there will be a selection for all palates.

“All the local brewers from Wānaka and Queenstown will be there and we try to bring quality breweries that our local patrons would not have had the chance to try like Emporium Brewing from Kaikoura and Derelict Brewing in Rangiora,” James said

A new homebrew competition is being introduced this year, with the winner earning bragging rights as well as a collaboration with a local brewery. 

Find more information and purchase tickets for the 2021 Wānaka Beerfest, to be held at the Wānaka Showgrounds on December 4, here.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App