Thousands of visitors braved rain and shine to get their lips around Australia’s finest craft beer at Maitland Gaol for the ninth annual Bitter and Twisted Boutique Beer Festival.
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More than 4200 people walked through the iron gates to be turned loose on 200 kegs of porters, pale ales and pilsners to name a just a few of the beers available.
Eighty craft beers flowed through 104 taps with plenty of attention lavished on festival newcomers Young Henrys and Nomad breweries.
Maitland City Council event co-ordinator Adam Franks said it was another successful Bitter and Twisted with a well-behaved crowd.
“We had a bit of rain [on Sunday] but that didn’t dampen any spirits,” he said. “People just threw on the ponchos and rolled with it.”
Live music kept the crowd going, with The Grates headlining a sold-out Saturday and Saskwatch taking the stage on Sunday as the grey skies cleared.
Mr Franks said the Meet the Brewer sessions, in which people were able to pick the brains of their favourite brewers, were particularly popular.
“There’s a lot of interest in seeing what goes on behind the product,” he said.
“People are more aware of what they’re drinking – they want natural, not mass produced, varied beers.”
The head brewer of local beer legends Murray’s Brewery said it was great to be a part of a festival that allowed him to showcase his work.
“Craft beer in Australia was very new when I started in the industry,” he said.
“Since then it has gone from strength to strength.”
Check out all of the photos from the weekend here or send your pictures to jessica.brown@fairfaxmedia.com.au
