Beer lovers rejoice! Newcastle Beer Fest is back at King Edward Park for 2027

Newcastle beer lovers, mark Saturday, 20 February in the calendar – Newcastle Beer Fest is officially returning to King Edward Park in 2027, and a new era for the much-loved festival is about to begin.

Following Dr Jerry Schwartz’s acquisition of Newcastle Beer Fest earlier this year, the festival will return for its 11th edition under the management of GABS, the team behind the internationally recognised GABS Festival.

Taking over the spectacular coastal surrounds of King Edward Park on Saturday, 20 February 2027, Newcastle Beer Fest will once again bring together independent breweries, gourmet food, live music and plenty of festival action.

The 2027 event marks a new era for the much-loved Newcastle festival, which has spent more than a decade championing Australia’s independent craft beer scene.

More than 30 local and interstate craft breweries are expected to take part, with only independent breweries being accepted as exhibitors.

Zig Zag Brewery, Sydney Brewery, The Coastal Brewing and Spudd Wiser Beer are among the first names confirmed, with plenty more still to come.

Set against one of Newcastle’s most spectacular coastal backdrops, King Edward Park offers plenty of lawn space to settle in between tastings, with gourmet food vendors, live music and other festival activities running throughout the day.

Newcastle Beer Fest began as the Boardwalk Beer Festival in Honeysuckle, created by Newcastle hospitality identities Luke Tilse and Taiyo Namba.

Over the following decade, the event evolved into a major celebration of independent beer before Luke and Taiyo stepped away following its 10th edition.

Now, GABS is taking the reins, bringing more than two decades of food, wine and craft beer event experience to Newcastle.

“We can add in GABS' wider footprint, but essentially, we want this to be a premium expression of the Newcastle region’s exceptional beverage and food DNA,” Event Director Jenny Farrell said.

Early bird tickets are already on sale for $64.90, offering a $10 saving on tickets purchased on the day.

Each ticket includes entry to the festival, 10 x 100ml beer tasting tokens and a commemorative tasting cup, alongside access to more than 30 breweries, gourmet food vendors, live music and festival activities.

For those wanting to make a weekend of it, Novotel Newcastle is also offering a Newcastle Beer Fest accommodation package from $375 per night, including overnight accommodation, breakfast and a four-pack of Sydney Brewery beer.

With a new team behind it but independent beer remaining firmly at its heart, Newcastle Beer Fest is gearing up for its next chapter.

Newcastle Beer Fest

When: Saturday, 20 February 2027
Where: King Edward Park, Newcastle
Cost: Early bird tickets $64.90

For more information and tickets, visit Newcastle Beer Fest.