Local independent brewery Stone & Wood held their annual Festival of the Stone at their Byron Bay brewery over the long weekend, celebrating the release of their 2018 Stone Beer and raising $17,000 for Big Scrub Landcare.
In the leadup to the festival, the clouds opened and, as expected from previous years, torrential rain battered the brewery tin roof. It was set to be another evening of huddling under the tents, braving the winter elements. However, the morning of the festival was a picture of clear blue skies and the sun came down to shine on Byron. This year’s Festival of the Stone was another roaring success.
Managing director of Stone & Wood Brewing Co Ben Summons said, ‘As the village brewery we are proud of Festival of the Stone’s ongoing success. It has such a positive impact in our local community through money raised, and being able to invite locals to celebrate the release of our Stone Beer during the cooler months with family and friends.’
Stone & Wood donated all proceeds from beer and merchandise sales to national not-for-profit Ingrained Foundation, that was set up to extend the brewery’s community program by supporting local charities. Ingrained Foundation will donate all proceeds to Big Scrub Landcare, who work to rejuvenate and protect the local Big Scrub rainforest.
Shannon Greenfields from Big Scrub Landcare has said, ‘Big Scrub Landcare are overwhelmed with this outcome. These funds are a major contribution to our work in caring for our rainforest.’
Highlights from the evening include the first kegs of 2018 Stone Beer being tapped for thirsty drinkers. Stone Beer was brewed eight weeks before the festival and honours the ancient techniques of brewing. By adding wood-fired stones to the kettle to rouse the boil, the malt characters are intensified. Roasted-caramel aromas in this winter beer are balanced with a warming, full-bodied cocoa flavour.
Apart from the wonder of seeing 80s Australian pub rock band The Choirboys belting it out, together with synchronised guitar antics, guests also enjoyed an excellent music lineup from the Mash Tun stage, including Loose Leaf, Tropical Zombie, Eliza & the Delusionals, and Last Dinosaurs. Kids were also bopping to tunes and entertainment in the family-friendly area; Malt Disney with DJ Boom Bunny before the area became a space to groove to late-night tunes by local DJ Mr Hai Yes.
For those who missed out on this year’s Winter Seasonal at the festival, Stone Beer stockists can be found via their website https://www.stoneandwood.com.au/find-2018-stone-beer-now-available/.
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