The Tasmanian International Beerfest will be celebrating its tenth anniversary in November, with a unique Tasmanian brew being the centrepiece of the event.

The beer festival, which is Australia’s largest, will join forces with MONA’s premium craft beer brand Moo Brew to feature a strictly limited edition 100 per cent Tasmanian beer, the ‘Macquarie Enigma’.

Moo brew image

Moo Brew Head Brewer Dave MacGill, Hop Products Australia’s Owen Johnston, and Tasmanan Agricultural Producers’ Managing Director David Skipper. Photo Rémi Chauvin

Festival Director Ben Hickey said the craft beer would only be available in draught at the Tasmanian Beerfest.

“This is not just any beer, it’s the first all-Tasmanian bred beer in a long time, produced using locally grown barley” Mr Hickey said.

Managing Director of Tasmanian Agriculture Producers David Skipper said the company had been working on the Tasmanian grown Macquarie Barley for over two years.

“Macquarie will be Tasmania’s first fully-bred and branded malt barley to be marketed to craft brewers locally and abroad,” Mr Skipper said.

The other distinctive ingredient, the specifically cultivated Enigma hop grown in the Derwent Valley, has been sought by craft beer brewers around the world for its diverse flavours and aromas in comparison to traditional bittering hops.

Hop Products Australia sales and marketing manager Owen Johnston said the company had one of the most diverse and significant hop breeding programs.

“This new variety with its tropical overtones will be a winner in the craft industry,” Mr Johnston said.

The Beerfest will take place in Hobart from 14-15 of November at the Princes Wharf Shed No1.

Mr Hickey said he was looking forward to releasing the one of a kind brew to beer lovers.

“Tasmanian fine beer and cider is finally taking its rightful place on the Tasmania epicurean palate,” he said.