Wollongong will host Crafted Live beer and BBQ festival for the first time over the Easter weekend.

Event coordinator Simon Rollin has a passion for putting on events that are memorable and unlike any other seen in Australia. Mr Rollin created the festival to showcase Australia’s top 20 craft-beer brewers and let locals get involved with an American-style, slow cooked BBQ competition.

Illawarra Brewing Company and Five Barrel Brewing have been selected to represent Wollongong alongside craft-beer specialists from across the country.

Illawarra Brewing Company Director Dave McGrath said he had noticed a massive uptake of craft-beer brewing in the last 12-months within the Illawarra. He said the Easter event would event help promote the craft, and he emphasised it’s not all about winning.

“It’s about flavour, taste and the experience … we’re really trying to bring it back home and work with the local venues and home brewers,” Mr McGrath said.

The event is designed to keep locals in Wollongong for the Easter weekend.

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