The Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, one of Australia’s most beloved celebrations of craft beer, barbecue, and live music, will stage its 10th anniversary edition this King’s Birthday long weekend from June 6 to 8. Organisers have confirmed this will be the final time the event takes place in its current format, marking the end of an era for the independently run festival.
Since its inception in 2015, the festival has drawn over 150,000 attendees and showcased more than 400 breweries. Founders Gareth Lewis and Aaron Sandow have called on past and present festivalgoers to join in what promises to be the most memorable installment yet.
Despite a forecast for wet weather, the festival is prepared with extensive undercover areas, ensuring that attendees can continue to enjoy the food, drinks, and live performances regardless of the conditions.
Breweries Return for a Decade Milestone
A selection of breweries that participated in the inaugural 2015 event are returning to mark the milestone. Among them are Big Shed Brewing, Coopers Brewery, Little Bang Brewing Co, and Pirate Life Brewing. In total, more than 50 breweries from across the country will pour their finest creations, including Balter Brewing Co, Mountain Goat, Range Brewing, and Fox Friday, representing a comprehensive cross-section of Australia’s thriving craft beer scene.
A Feast of Fire and Flavour
The BBQ lineup will feature festival favourites offering everything from slow-cooked meats to gourmet burgers and international street food. Renowned vendors such as Belles Hot Chicken, Fancy Hank’s, NOLA & Friends, Smokey Uppercuts, and Bread & Bone Wood Grill are among the highlights.
Music to Fuel the Weekend
Music will remain central to the event’s atmosphere, with performances spanning three days across multiple stages, including the Kevin Bacon Stage and the Secret Pickle Saloon.
On Friday, rock outfit Wolfmother headlines, supported by Custard, Rocket Science, and The Tarantinos. Saturday brings a high-energy set from The Chats, backed by The Gooch Palms and Dick Move. The weekend concludes on Sunday with a headline performance by New Zealand’s Tim Finn of Split Enz, joined by CASH: The American Recordings featuring Henry Wagons & The Tennessee Studs, and others.
Rising Costs Force End of Festival Format
Despite its popularity, the festival has struggled with escalating operational costs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-director Gareth Lewis revealed that expenses have surged by 30 to 40 percent since 2022, rendering the current model financially unsustainable.
“This festival is who we are,” said Lewis. “It’s always been about supporting small businesses and giving punters something special, but the cost of putting on a festival of this scale has become unmanageable. Our punters are loyal and amazing, but we can’t keep passing the rising costs on to them.”
Lewis acknowledged the support received from the South Australian Government, particularly the Music Development Office, while also highlighting the challenge of competing with major publicly funded events.
“We hope to continue working with the government to produce events that offer cultural and economic value to South Australia,” he added.
As the festival prepares for its final hurrah in its current form, attendees are promised an unforgettable celebration. What comes next for the team behind Beer & BBQ Fest remains to be seen, but the legacy of a decade-long cultural staple is already firmly in place.
You Might Be Interested In:
