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Canberra’s best producers to be celebrated at the Hops & Hooves Festival

3 minute read

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.

Bentspoke. Picture: Media Release

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, sauteed 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.