Navy veteran's distillery becomes a favourite at Canberra's spring social event of the year
Hops & Hooves Festival Race Day, Canberra's premier spring social event, is returning to Thoroughbred Park on Saturday 26 September 2026 with live thoroughbred racing, a curated craft beer and spirits festival, Fashions on the Field, and the AFL Grand Final broadcast live on the big screen.
Among the festival's standout craft producers is Hold Fast Distillery, a veteran-owned distillery from Braidwood that has become a firm favourite with the Hops & Hooves crowd.
With more than 4,000 Canberrans attending in 2025 and over 70 per cent of ticket holders aged between 18 and 25, Hops & Hooves has cemented its place as one of the region's premier spring social occasions, bringing together racing, craft producers, fashion, and entertainment for one of the biggest days on the Canberra calendar.
Founded by Royal Australian Navy veteran Gavin Gillin, Hold Fast Distillery produces hand-crafted gins, vodkas, whisky, and liqueurs from Troopers Rest, Braidwood's oldest venue, which Gavin acquired two years ago and now calls home for the distillery.
The name draws directly from Gavin's 20 years of naval service, and that maritime spirit runs through everything the distillery makes.
"The nautical identity comes directly from my career in the Royal Australian Navy, so it is a very genuine part of the Hold Fast story. But it is more than just imagery. We also try to bring that coastal influence into the products themselves, using botanicals and flavours that feel connected to Australia's coastline: saltbush, finger lime, river mint, citrus and bright native flavours. For us, the maritime theme is about resilience, adventure and staying the course, and we want people to feel a little bit of that story every time they pick up one of our bottles." Gillin said.
It is this kind of story, paired with a strong local following, that makes Hold Fast such a natural fit for a festival built around community and craft. For Gavin, Hops & Hooves draws a crowd unlike most events on the Canberra calendar, and that is a large part of what makes it so rewarding.
"The Hops & Hooves crowd is there for the whole experience, so people are relaxed, curious and open to discovering something different. They want to hear the story behind the bottle, ask questions and taste their way through the range. That makes it a really enjoyable event for us as producers."
"The atmosphere is fantastic. There is a real energy throughout the day, with people enjoying the racing, catching up with friends and exploring local producers. From behind the stall, you get to meet people who are genuinely interested in trying something new. That connection with the crowd, and the chance to be part of such a strong local event, is what keeps us coming back."
For those visiting the Hold Fast stall at this year's festival for the first time, Gavin has a clear recommendation on where to start. "I would put our Apple, Guava and Strawberry Vodka Spritz in their hand. It is rich and fruity, but still beautifully balanced with just the right amount of sweetness. Every year at Hops and Hooves, it sells out, which says a lot about how much people enjoy it. It is bright, refreshing and perfect for a spring race day crowd."
For those keen to venture a little further into the range, Gavin points to a product that tends to win people over the moment they try it. "Our Coffee Liqueur is probably the hidden gem. We make it with locally roasted coffee and keep it rich and full of flavour without being overly sweet. It is fantastic over ice, in an Espresso Martini, or simply mixed with vodka. Once people try it, they almost always come back for another bottle."
For Gavin, the festival represents something deeper than a sales opportunity. It is a chance to share a story that is genuinely rooted in the region.
"Hops and Hooves brings together the things we really value: community, local producers, great food and drink, and people coming together for a good day out. As a small regional distillery, those conversations across the tasting bar are incredibly important. It is where we get to tell our story, introduce people to what we make and build lasting relationships." Gillin said.
The Canberra Racing Club has been a strong supporter of regional producers since the festival's inception, with the vendor program now one of the event's defining features and a key part of what sets Hops & Hooves apart as a true festival experience.
"They understand that events are made stronger when regional businesses are part of the experience, and they give small craft producers like us a genuine opportunity to connect with a large and engaged crowd. That sort of support makes a real difference." Gillin said.
Building a distillery from the ground up in a regional town has not come without its challenges, and Gavin is candid about what it has taken to get here.
"Building a distillery from the ground up in a regional town has tested us many times: through COVID, rising costs, staffing pressures and all the challenges that come with running a small business. But Hold Fast is more than just our name. It is our philosophy. It means staying the course, keeping your hand on the rope when things get tough, and not losing sight of why you started. We are proud to have built something that produces quality spirits, supports our local community and gives back to causes we care about. That is what makes the hard work worthwhile." Gillin said.
Hops & Hooves Festival Race Day will be held at Thoroughbred Park on Saturday 26 September 2026.
The day will feature live thoroughbred racing, a curated craft beer and spirits festival, Fashions on the Field, premium food vendors, live music, and the AFL Grand Final broadcast live on the big screen, with Hold Fast Distillery among the local producers pouring on the day.