On Saturday, December 7, Byron Bay hinterland farm-to-table restaurant Frida’s Field will host its inaugural Cheers to Beers Northern Rivers Micro-Brewery Tasting & BBQ Feast event. A collaboration with seven of the region’s best micro-breweries, including:
Common People Brewing Co from Bangalow
Seven Mile Brewing Co from Ballina
Two Mates Brewing from Lismore
Earth Beer Company from Cudgen
Spangled Drongo Brewing from Murwillumbah
Friday Hut Brewing from Murwillumbah
Caldera Brewing & Blending Co from Murwillumbah.
Guests will arrive at 1pm and sample 13 different beers created by the seven local micro-breweries, with a representative from each brewery guiding guests through the tasting experience – from bouquet, aroma, palette, and minerality to undertone, tannins, mouthfeel, and finish. An amazing array of flavours will be experienced – like the tropical and citrus notes of Two Mates Brewing’s Lovemore Hazy Pale to the toffee and dark chocolate of Earth Beer’s Dark Moon Brown Ale. Interesting techniques and ingredients will also be on show – such as the esteemed dry hop with RH01 from Ryefield Hops used in Caldera Brewing’s Saison which is also barrel-aged in a mixture of French oak puncheons and barriques. Common People Brewing is even creating a completely new Frida’s Field beer made with ingredients harvested from Frida’s Field, including galangal, mint, lemon myrtle, and Atherton raspberries.
Once the beer tasting is finished, guests will join long communal tables and enjoy a shared American-style BBQ feast (with a Frida’s twist!). Woodfired pork ribs with a Davidson’s Plum BBQ glaze and smoked beef brisket pastrami with kraut and pickles will take centre stage; accompanied by smoky baked beans; cabbage slaw with chipotle aioli, woodfired sweetcorn with jalapeño butter; and cos lettuce with ranch dressing.
Co-founder, Jeanie Wylie, explained, ‘We have always been really passionate about supporting local, and showcasing the incredible produce of the Northern Rivers region, and thought there couldn’t be a better time to create something really special. To be able to try so many different beers from so many different local micro-breweries all at the same time; and to have a representative from each brewery on-site is so exciting.’
Cans of beer will also be available to purchase on the day and tickets, which include the beer tasting and lunch, are $50 per person and available via the events tab on the Frida’s Field website:
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