It’s Australia’s destination beer, food and music festival. In 2026, The High Country Hop returns to Beechworth from March 27-29, transforming the picturesque town into a full-weekend celebration of the Victorian hop harvest. The festival brings together a curated mix of fresh-hop beer, live music, and local food and drink producers, creating a one-of-a-kind regional weekender.
This year’s festival continues to evolve, highlighting the country’s best ingredients with a diverse line-up of independent brewers, winemakers, and distillers, plus a vibrant program of live music throughout the day.
Overseeing The High Country Hop for its eleventh year is Bridge Road Brewers founder and co-owner Ben Kraus.
“The Hop has grown into something bigger than great local beer,” says Kraus. “It’s about connecting people to place – to the farms, the producers, and the community that makes the High Country special. By bringing together fresh hops, incredible music and the best local makers, we’re creating a deeply immersive and uniquely regional celebration.”
Melbourne band Floodlights lead the 2026 music line-up, bringing their powerful and cathartic live show to Beechworth. They’re joined by party-starting vibe master Joey Lightbulb, garage punk upstarts Public Figures, soft rock genius Way Dynamic, Afro-boogie duo Wrong Way Up, and beloved broadcaster and selector Fee B-Squared, delivering DJ sets threaded throughout the day.
Across the weekend, food and drinks highlight the producers and flavours of North East Victoria. Guests can expect a selection of local wineries, distillers and food operators, offering a regional snapshot of the High Country’s craft and seasonal produce. Friday’s opening night party sees a Bridge Road Brewers beer garden takeover from Brunswick East’s Iegendary Middle Eastern spot, Rumi, who’ll be doing party food for festival goers.
On the beer front, the festival welcomes an enviable list of independent brewers. Alongside the brewers of the High Country Brewery Trail (Bridge Road Brewers, Bright Brewery, Crank Handle Brewing, King River Brewing, Mountain Monk, Last St Brewery and Mitta Mitta Brewing Co), the 2026 guest list includes Blackman’s Brewery, Bodriggy Brewpub, Capital Brewing Co, Philter Brewing, Rocky Ridge Brewing Co and legendary international guests Stone Brewing (San Diego, California) – pouring a mix of festival
favourites and limited fresh-hop releases.
Saturday’s main event at the Historic Precinct Reserve will be family-friendly, with activities for all ages, including the return of the popular Box Wars workshop, all-day music and a relaxed picnic-style atmosphere. The High Country Hop is presented by Bridge Road Brewers and proudly sponsored by Hop Products Australia and supported by the Victorian State Government.
