Canberra’s best producers to be celebrated at the Hops & Hooves Festival
Thoroughbred Park will host some of the region’s best brewers, winemakers and distillers this Saturday, 23 September for the annual Hops & Hooves Festival. Producers from the Canberra region and beyond will share their delicious creations with connoisseurs and racegoers alike.
Jeff Wilson-Shipley, owner and Head Brewer of one of Canberra’s newest players in the craft beer world, Cypher Brewing, is thrilled to showcase his locally-brewed beer to new customers on the day.
“I want to build a known Canberra presence, spread the word on our newly released cans and gain knowledgeable feedback from our community.” Wilson-Shipley said.
“There has been an explosion of craft beer in the Canberra market so its important for us to make our mark.”
“We’re excited to be a part of the Hops & Hooves Festival, it will be a day for the community and for Canberra hospitality businesses to come together and showcase a diverse portfolio of products."
Cypher Brewing will be one of our many local and regional vendors on the day, with their most popular brewed beers being their DIPA and Shooeys Aussie Pale Ale. The outstanding line up is as follows:
| Batlow Cider | Batlow, NSW |
| Capital Wines | Hall, ACT |
| Kosciuszko Wines | Hall, ACT |
| Chroma Wines | Canberra, ACT |
| Six String Brewing | Erina, NSW |
| Underground Spirits | Kambah, ACT |
| Cypher Brewing Co | Gungahlin, ACT |
| Hold Fast Distillery | Braidwood, NSW |
| Bentspoke Brewing Co | Mitchell, ACT |
| Benny's Bar | Sydney, NSW |
| Stone & Wood | Byron Bay, NSW |
| 2 Halfs Brewery | Alexandia, NSW |
| The Canberra Distillery | Mitchell, ACT |
| Sydney Brewery | Surry Hills, NSW |
| Choc Rum Australia | Holt, ACT |
A diverse range of flavours from local food vans will join Thoroughbred Park’s new signature sandwich, the ‘Pork Minister’. Simmered overnight in master stock and it’s own juices, free range pork shoulder is joined on a fresh baguette by crispy shallots, provolone, sautéed rapini & calvo nero to create Canberra’s best new sandwich, the ‘Pork Minister’. Festivalgoers can enjoy the new creation at the Thoroughbred Café.
Other delicious favours on-course will be courtesy of:
| BZ Burgers | Belconnen, ACT |
| Let’s Do Yum Cha | Canberra, ACT & Sydney, NSW |
| Palacinke Crepes | Monash, ACT |
| Spit Shack | Mitchell, ACT |
“We love to be a showcase of the best of our region and the Festival is a real highlight of our year” Canberra Racing Club Marketing Manager Robbie Ringland said.
“Doing this well introduces new customers to Thoroughbred Park and racing here in Canberra, so we’re thrilled to partner with so many quality local producers.”
“There’s no event like this around and the weather is looking close to perfect so we’re very excited to celebrate with our community this Saturday at Thoroughbred Park.”
The Canberra Racing Club will also debut its leading ‘Zero Bar’ at the Hops & Hooves Festival with a Australia’s best zero-alcohol beverages available. Brands like Better Beer, Heaps Normal, Altina, Pure Vision and Beneficial Beer will all be a part of the new offering at Thoroughbred Park.
“This is an accessible event that anyone can enjoy.” Ringland said. “We’ve partnered with Transport Canberra who are allowing all of our Members and patrons free transport on their lines on the day and tickets into the Festival are only $20 via Ticketek, so get your mates together for a memorable Hops & Hooves Festival.”
A strong eight-race program will complement festivities that include sets by The Baker Boys Band, playing live on a former army truck, turned hot pink stage, the Soul Defender.
The Hops & Hooves Festival is this Saturday at Thoroughbred Park with gates opening at 12pm.