A homebrew competition is deemed but one facet of the inaugural Queenstown Beer Festival to be held later this month.
Part of Winter Games New Zealand, the festival gives beer lovers a chance to sample more than 60 varieties from six breweries over four hours.
Organiser of the Queenstown Resort College Downtown Sessions event, Paul Tudgay, said the event was all about creating a fun beer festival atmosphere, complete with Bavarian-style band and long tables.
It was not about people "trying to drink as much in as short a time as possible", he said.
The brewers at the festival will be Harringtons, Moa, Macs, Arrow Brew Company, Wanaka Beerworks and an international beer importer, together offering between 60 and 70 different beers.
Mr Tudgay hoped the August 27 festival in the Queenstown Memorial Hall would attract at least 300 people.
The winner of the homebrew competition, for which 20 people have already entered, will have their beer made by the Arrow Brewing Company.
"The winner will get bottles made commercially and have their beer as the guest beer at the Arrow Brewing Company," Mr Tudgay said.
Several beer-tasting master classes, hosted by Harringtons and the Arrow Brewing Company, will also be held during the day.
Depending on how this year's event goes, Mr Tudgay said there was potential to introduce more breweries, have two four-hour sessions, and move the event to October.
Tickets are $25 per person for entry, not including beer, and are available through Ticket Direct.
