The Fleurieu Beer Festival returns to Willunga’s Rec Park next Saturday 21 January with the largest collection of breweries in the event's history.

The annual event coincides with the Willunga leg of the Tour Down Under cycling race and features more than a dozen Fleurieu breweries, wineries, distilleries and a selection of food stalls. 

There is also an impressive line-up of live music to keep revellers entertained.

“The fact that this year's event is being held on the same day as the TDU, is really exciting for locals and visitors alike,” says festival organiser Heather Williams.

“We will be encouraging all those visiting Willunga for the big race to come and join in the celebration.”  

Now in its fifth year, the event aims to showcase amazing producers of the Fleurieu and Ms Williams believes the 2023 festival will be the largest in its history. 

“We have more breweries, more food vendors and stallholders, and a much larger music line-up,“ she says. 

Other features this year include a tent with arcade games and pinball machines, plus larger set-up spaces for each of the breweries.

“We look forward to seeing how the breweries will utilise these larger areas and hope to see some unique and eye-catching setups” Ms Williams says.

“The Fleurieu Peninsula has so many great craft breweries, and we really want to give them the opportunity to showcase their individuality.” 

Joining festival regulars Swell Brewing Co, Shifty Lizard Brewing Co and Goodieson Brewery are several new faces, including Langhorne Creek’s Little Pete Brewing and Penny Red Beer Co.   

The expanded music line-up includes Billy Bob Rankine and Alice, Captain Electric, Great Moose featuring Cal Williams plus Ciaram Granger and many more.

Ms Williams says the festival will also play host to the inaugural Fleurieu Amateur Brewer Competition.

Hosted by Shifty Lizard Brewing Co, the Fleurieu Amateur Brewer Competition will see South Australia’s top home brewers compete across four beer styles to be crowned Fleurieu amateur brewer of the year.   

The four beer styles to be judged at the festival are Amber Ale, Australian Pale Ale, East Coast IPA and Red IPA.

The winning brewer will have their recipe used as a limited release beer by Shifty Lizard Brewing Co.   

They will also be invited to spend the day brewing with Shifty Lizard head brewer Lee Stone, and receive two cases of their beer once released to the public.  

The Fleurieu Beer Festival is open from 1pm to 10pm; more information can be found on the website. Tickets are $25 and are available from humantix.