Craft beer connoisseurs and backyard grill masters will be in heaven in Queenstown this weekend.
Coronet Peak’s hosting its Craft Beer and BBQ Summit tomorrow, this year featuring 11 brewers from across the Whakatipu and Aotearoa, including Canyon and Cardrona Distillery, Wellington’s Boneface and Parrotdog and Auckland’s Deep Creek.
Also coming to the party are Smoke and Pickle, Old Mates Smokehouse, and Little Mabel to feed the masses.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr says the crews are absolutely fizzing for it.
‘‘The forecast is looking fantastic and I think we’re gonna have a really awesome day,’’ he says.
After last year’s summit was disrupted by Covid restrictions, the biggest challenge and Kerr’s ‘‘last piece of the puzzle’’ is ensuring there’s enough CO2 to keep the drinks flowing.
Despite the recent shortage, the breweries are more than happy to get involved, and there’s particular excitement for Otago Brew School, where polytechnic students are responsible for the hydration.
There’ll also be live music including local artists Sam Maxwell, the Crown Rangers, and Elle and Alex.
Kerr’s expecting about 700 people up the hill on Saturday — free buses will run roughly every half hour from the Station Building on Duke Street to Coronet Peak and return, while there’s also a complimentary overnight Man St carpark pass included with the ticket.
The Craft Beer and BBQ Summit goes from noon till 7pm. Tickets cost $49, available from coronetpeak.co.nz
