Last weekend I went to the Beer and Beef Festival at Elizabeth Quay. $35 got you into the open aired venue plus a pint of beer, not bad value for Perth! Then it was $20 for a tasting card for 10 different beers. There were some big names and small ones there; Boston Brewery, Nail Brewing, Colonial Brewing, Mountain Goat, Gage Roads Brewing Co. Plus plenty of tasty food to enjoy not to mention two different areas where you could chill out and listen to music.

I headed there with a few friends and 1 year old son arriving just before midday. It wasn’t crowded at all when we got there so we took advantage and tried quite a few of the newest and older arrivals from the craft beer stalls. There were two places set up for live music and by the time we left about 3pm, it was getting busier in both areas and developing a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

To entertain the younger kids (from about 5 years old) and I would say to help the parents relax and enjoy their beers (while overlooking their children), there was a type of bouncy castle and a rocking bull – both fantastic ideas but a bit too old for my son. However it really is a great idea to offer this type of entertainment so it can be a family day out. It’s not possible to try every beer (and remember it) but with the sampling portions on offer, the great food, live music, it’s a really fun way to spend the afternoon or the whole day if you are without children!