CAIRNS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL 2026

Saturday April 18 | Hemingway’s Brewery Cairns Wharf | FREE ENTRY

The Cairns Craft Beer Festival is back on the waterfront for another year of Far North Queensland's best independent breweries, live music, and the kind of relaxed afternoon that turns into a long evening without you noticing.

Five of the region's breweries will be pouring fresh beers brewed right here in the tropics, inspired by this year's theme: Tasting the Tropics – The Beer Brewed Up Here. Expect tropical ingredients, bold flavours, and a few brews you won't find anywhere else.

The festival is part of Tasting the Tropics, a month-long celebration of FNQ's produce and food culture presented by Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

BREWERIES POURING
Macalister Brewing Co | Billycart Brewing | Copperlode Brewing | Maggie Island Brewery | Hemingway's Brewery

Each brewery will bring at least two beers, including something new made specifically for the festival. Full beer lists coming soon.

LIVE MUSIC FROM 1PM
Joker Pokers kick things off from 1pm, JJ Rome & The Jumpstarts take over from 5pm, and a festival DJ will close out the night from 8pm. Expect good vibes, no pretence.

THE BREWERS CHALLENGE
Throughout the afternoon, our breweries will compete in a series of ridiculous and occasionally impressive challenges: stein lifting, blind tasting, blind pouring (yes, blindfolded), and the tinny slide. Points tallied, bragging rights awarded. The brewery with the highest score takes home the CCBF Brewers Champion title.

FOOD
Hemingway's kitchen will be running festival specials designed to go with whatever you're drinking. Courtyard food stall also open all day.

THE DETAILS
Free entry. No tickets, no bookings. Tasting serves (150ml) and schooners (425ml) available. Indoor and outdoor space. Cashless event — card only.

Saturday 18 April. Doors at 12pm. Hemingway's Brewery Cairns Wharf.

See you on the waterfront.