More than 50 beverages would be on offer at the event at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Although the festival was being run by the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA), it was not targeting students.
OUSA event manager Dan Hendra was keen to point out that the festival was about quality rather than quantity.
OUSA had researched the idea over the past nine months and a many local brewers were supportive, Mr Hendra said.
''Everyone sort of realised there was a bit of a gap in the market here and a demand for good quality craft beer and food,'' he said.
Almost every other major centre had one and it seemed ''crazy'' that Otago, which was home to so many great breweries, did not.
Emerson's Brewery founder Richard Emerson said it was behind the event because it promoted the efforts of local brewers.
''We just want it to be a good day out for people to try the flavours from different breweries,'' Mr Emerson said.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull said the event would celebrate local skills.
''We produce really high quality food and beverages in Dunedin and this is a way of showing it off,'' he said.
Tickets for the festival on September 14 would be available from next week.
Auckland band Sola Rosa had been booked to play at the festival and budding brewers would be able to compete in a home brew competition being run at the event.
