Festivale in Launceston

Festivale is a celebration of Tasmanian flavor with music, beer and wine

For starters, Festivale is pronounced Fest-ee-vahl-ay. Now get yourself a beer and start enjoying it.

It is so refreshing to see real cask ale anywhere in the world. While British ale is almost impossible to beat, the people at Two Metre Ale do a very good product. That was just one of the may tents offering Tasmanian made alcohol.

There must have been two dozen or so wineries in attendance, each one better than the next. Such a shame for the rest of the world that very little of this wine gets exported. In the last year I have only seen one, maybe two bottles of Tasmania Wine on the shelves of my local liquor store. Check it out for yourself. It may cost a bit more, but is worth the price.

Ah yes, Tubby the Robot and his robotic son made an appearance as well.

The main stage had bands playing all night long.

Or there were the groups located around the grounds that played music for the people walking by. This band had crazy looking masks that they played into.

That's all good and fun, but what this festival really boils down to are the locally produced brews and wines. Boag's Pure, for example, is made with local ingredients. They also have a brewery in town which you can tour and I am sure sample as well. Breamcreek is another of the many local vineyards. Absolutely delicious.