By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
It won’t be your typical Sunday in Bayswater on Sunday, 18 May, instead, the scent of hops and the clink of pint glasses will fill the air at Hard Road Brewing as the annual Belgian Beer Fest rolls into town, offering a celebration of craft, community, and a bit of brewing magic.
Now in its latest edition, the Belgian Beer Fest is the pride project of Yarra Valley Brewers, a tight-knit home-brew club based in Woori Yallock.
Despite being a small group that meets once a month at the local community centre, the club has a long-standing reputation for pulling off one of the most specialised beer competitions in the state – one that shines a spotlight on Belgium’s weird and wonderful brews.
Founding member and former club president Charles Johnston who helped start the club back in 2005 said Belgian beers are quirky.
“They don’t follow the same kind of rules as British or German beers. Every Belgian brewery seems to be doing its own thing, so the styles are all over the place – but that’s the fun of it, that’s what makes them exciting, and frankly, tough to brew,” he said.
That difficulty is exactly what draws in some of Victoria’s most passionate home-brewers each year.
While many beer competitions cast a wide net, this one goes all-in on Belgian styles – from saisons and tripels to wild ales and everything in between.
Mr Johnston said that brewing them well takes patience, skill and a whole lot of creativity.
“You’re dealing with unusual yeast strains, sometimes even bacteria. No two are the same. That’s what makes this competition such a great test for homebrewers,” he said.
Despite its grassroots origins, the event has grown into a fully fledged statewide competition, thanks to support from VicBrew, the broader network of homebrew clubs across Victoria.
Through VicBrew’s website, the club can promote the event, share rules, collect entries and find qualified judges, many of whom are certified through the global Beer Judge Certification Program.
But bringing it all together still takes plenty of elbow grease.
“It’s a big job,” Mr Johnston said.
“You need a venue, judges, stewards, trophies, volunteers – the lot. Thankfully, we’ve built a strong base over the years and the club members always step up.”
This year’s venue, Hard Road Brewing, isn’t just a convenient location – it’s a perfect fit.
The brewery is run by Lein and Angie, former home-brewers themselves, who now brew commercially in Bayswater and still live in the Yarra Ranges.
The connection runs deep: Matt Fitch, a longtime Yarra Valley Brewers member, now works at Hard Road as venue manager and will be helping judge again this year.
“Matt’s been a part of this event for a while, and having him at Hard Road made it a natural choice for us,” club president Richard Brown said.
“They also brew a really good Belgian Pale Ale, so they understand and appreciate the style.”
Mr Brown also gives a shout-out to The Full Brew, the local home-brew supply shop in Woori Yallock.
Owned by club treasurer Daniel Fulford, it’s the go-to spot for ingredients, gear, and advice for many brewers in the area.
“Without that shop, it’d be tough to keep up momentum. It really is the heart of the brewing community in the Upper Yarra,” Mr Brown said.
Ask around the club and you’ll find home-brewers come from all walks of life, some start brewing to save a few bucks, others get drawn in by friends, and before long, they’re building their own setups and experimenting with historical beer styles from as far back as ancient Egypt.
“If there’s one thing that unites home-brewers, it’s curiosity mixed with passion,” Mr Johnston said.
“There’s no particular type of person – it’s just people who love to learn, to tinker, and to talk about beer.”
And while Belgian Beer Fest is definitely a treat for the more seasoned beer fans, it’s far from exclusive.
“You don’t have to be a beer nerd,” Mr Johnston said.
“If you like good beer and good company, that’s enough. You’ll have the chance to talk to brewers, learn about different styles, and maybe even try a few of the competition entries – once the judging’s done, of course.”
If you’re up for something a bit different this May, head down to Hard Road Brewing in Bayswater, you might just discover your next favourite beer – or get inspired to start brewing your own.
