I feel like a bit of a veteran now, this being my third attendance at Beervana and apparently this year was going to be bigger than ever. It was a cold, windy and gloomy start to the day so probably a good one to be spending inside drinking beer. We arrived early but there were many other people who had similar plans so we were far from the first there. We joined the crowds and eventually the gates opened ahead of us and we moved forward. This year the usual tokens were replaced by wrist bands that you simply loaded up with cash and swiped to pay for your beer. There were a handful of people moving amongst the crowd handing out wristbands but we figured we would just pick ours up inside.
We handed off our tickets and wandered into Westpac Stadium ready to try out another year's worth of interesting brews. Our decision to pick up wrist bands inside was a mistake. We got the usual guide and beer glass (plastic this year) but not wrist band. We found a member of staff who helpfully went and found a box of wrist bands and started handing them out, however, the mobs of beer hungry patrons (I should really have just said men) quickly exhausted that supply. Armed with a wrist band the next step was to get some money on to it so we could pay for our beers. There were only two spots that we could find where you could, so I am sure you can imagine that several hundred people all lining up to have their wrist bands loaded resulted in very long lines, lots of waiting and not much beer being sold. I hope this is a lesson for next year Beervana organisers....So about an hour later we were finally in a position where we could actually do what we came for, try some beer. The usual Wellington suspects were there Tuatara, Garage Project, Yeastie Boys, Parrot Dog, Panhead...as well as some of the ones you would expect from out of town, Epic, Monteiths, Moa, Emersons...and of course the specialty bars, this year being Taste of Portland (Oregon), Pink Boots Society (Lady Brewers) and the ANZAC themed brews. (The Australian Bar was a no show this year as their beers didn't arrive in time....) And of course it wouldn't be Beervana without the food and as always there was plenty of tasty food to help attendees to drink responsibly, including beer ice-cream (although I didn't partake in that myself.)
It certainly was bigger this year. Where previously you turned left and that is where you find all the stands, this year you could also go right and there were just as many that way as well (although I was probably halfway through before I realised that was the case). The stands were also bigger this year as well. Garage Project were making the most of their big stand from last year but other people were happy being flashy too. Panhead had a full tattoo parlour and you could even get a tattoo done! (although I understand that they were booked out before the festival started.) Of course there were plenty of brewers there who also only had a label written in vivid on their tap and possibly a coaster with their brand on. When it comes down to it I actually find that more appealing than the big flashy stand. I can't help but think back to the first beer festival I attended, The Great British Beer Festival, in London. There all the stands are the same and the taps simply have a brewer's shield on them to identify what you are drinking. Something quite appealing about the egalitarian way that CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) does things.It may well be that the bad weather and the slow start had meant I had started things in the wrong frame of mind, but this year just didn't really click for me. The usual beers were the usual beers. There was definitely some tasty stuff in there. I particularly enjoyed what the Pink Boots Society were getting up to, returning to their stand a number of times. The other pleasant surprise of the day came from the ANZAC brews. Do you like ANZAC biscuits? Do you like beer that tastes like ANZAC biscuits? Beer purists would shudder in contempt but the golden syrupy rolled oats goodness just went down a a treat.
So for another year, my presence on the Wellington Beer scene has come and gone. I will be here if you want to find me in the interim and depending on how I feel you may see me at Beervana again next year.
