Obsidian Dark Beer Festival

07/06/2026

🌌 HAWKERS BRINGING THE HEAVY HITTERS 🌌

Some beers are made for sipping.

These two are made for launching into another dimension.

For Obsidian Dark Beer Festival, Hawkers Beer is unleashing a pair of whisky barrel-aged monsters from its 2026 Vintage Series, each packed with enough flavour and complexity to leave a lasting impression.

⭐ Whisky Barrel-Aged Double White Stout – 10.8%
Back with more power than ever, this year's Double White Stout spent a long slumber in ex-whisky barrels, emerging bigger, richer and bolder. Cacao, coffee and vanilla weave through the beer, while the elevated ABV delivers serious weight with remarkable finesse. A beer with enough personality to charm the stars from the sky.

🌑 Whisky Barrel-Aged Black Barleywine – 12.2%
A collision of worlds. The dark, roasted depths of an imperial stout meet the thick, luxurious body of a barleywine, all elevated through whisky barrel ageing. Layers of coffee, caramel and toffee build into a beer that's rich, warming and unapologetically decadent.

Together, they represent everything we love about dark beer season.

Big barrels. Bigger flavours. Absolutely no half measures.

Find Hawkers pouring both at Obsidian Dark Beer Festival and prepare for liftoff. 🚀🍻

Limited tickets remain. Secure yours today!
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

06/06/2026

🌾 FROM THE FARM. TO THE MALT. TO THE GLASS. 🌾

Few breweries can claim their beers start in the paddock they stand on.

Nestled near Lake Meran in North-West Victoria, Hamish and Liz have built a brewery around a simple idea: grow it, make it, and share it. Drawing on backgrounds in agriculture, horticulture and quality, they're creating beers that are a true expression of their land, using as much of their own-grown produce as possible.

For Obsidian Dark Beer Festival, Lake Meran Brewery & Distillery is bringing two porters crafted using barley grown and malted on their farm.

🔥 Smoked Porter – 4.7%
An English-style porter built on a foundation of Lake Meran's own malted barley, featuring red gum smoked malt that delivers a robust BBQ smoke character. Rich layers of biscuit, caramel and dark roasted malt round out a beer that's both comforting and unmistakably Australian.

🍑 Plum Porter – 5.4%
Smooth, malt-forward and beautifully balanced, this porter combines rich caramel depth with ripe plum character, while Bramling Cross hops contribute a subtle blackcurrant lift that adds complexity without overshadowing the malt.

Two distinctly different takes on porter.

One brewery dedicated to capturing the flavour of the land.

Find Lake Meran Brewery pouring both at Obsidian Dark Beer Festival and discover what happens when the paddock becomes part of the recipe.

Grab your ticket today!
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

06/06/2026

🔥 RED DUCK UNLEASHES TWO BEASTS FOR OBSIDIAN 2026 🔥

Celebrating 20 years of brewing, Red Duck Brewery is bringing not one, but two special anniversary releases to Obsidian Dark Beer Festival.

🐺 Ragnarok
A Spiced Belgian Quadrupel weighing in at a formidable 10.8%. Big, bold and beautifully balanced, this is the kind of beer that reminds you why Belgian brewing traditions have stood the test of time. Rich, warming and packed with character, it's a beer worthy of its apocalyptic name.

🐉 Golden Dragon
A Strong Celtic Red Ale at 7%, Golden Dragon combines rich malt character with remarkable drinkability. Smooth, warming and dangerously easy to enjoy, this anniversary release proves that strength and balance can go hand in hand.

Two anniversary beers.
Two legendary creatures.
One chance to try them.
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

Find Red Duck pouring both special releases at Obsidian Dark Beer Festival and decide for yourself which beast reigns supreme.

05/06/2026

🌊 BELLS BEACH BREWING IS BRINGING THE HEAT TO A BALLARAT WINTER 🌊

Two keg-only festival exclusives. Two winter warmers. One reason to make a beeline for the Bells Beach taps at Obsidian Dark Beer Festival.

🍂 Spice Tide Vanilla Chai Baltic Porter – 8.4%
Created exclusively for Obsidian 2026, this rich and smooth Baltic Porter layers roasty dark chocolate, caramel, toffee and espresso with warming chai spices and creamy vanilla. Full-bodied, comforting and dangerously drinkable, it's built for a cold Ballarat afternoon.

🍊 Chicama Choc Stout – Orange Edition – 7%
Another festival-exclusive pour, this Terry's-inspired twist on the much-loved Chicama Choc Stout combines decadent Peruvian cacao with a bright burst of orange citrus. Velvety smooth, rich and indulgent, with just enough zesty punch to keep you coming back for another sip.

Exclusive. Keg only. Obsidian 2026.

Which Bells Beach Brewing drop are you heading for first? 👇🍺

Grab your tickets today!
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

05/06/2026

04/06/2026

🍻 BEER REVEAL

Ballarat locals know them. Dark beer lovers love them.

We're thrilled to welcome Aunty Jacks Ballarat back to Obsidian Dark Beer Festival with a pair of beers that couldn't be more different, yet equally deserving of your attention.

🍊 Jaffa King – Dark Ale (6.0%)
Chocolate and orange is a classic combination for a reason. Jaffa King layers chocolate malt with orange-forward Eclipse and Lotus hops to create a rich, spiced dark ale bursting with orange rind character, smooth chocolate notes and a soft, cakey malt finish.

☕ Sparkling Coffee Porter – Porter (5.3%)
Brewed exclusively for Obsidian Dark Beer Festival 2026.
A deep, brooding porter with a full body and beautifully integrated coffee character running from aroma to finish. Expect roasted malt, subtle fruit notes and a finish that keeps you coming back for another sip.

One festival-exclusive release.
One certain fan favourite.
Both pouring at Obsidian on Saturday 20 June.

Which one are you heading for first?

Grab your tickets today!
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

03/06/2026

BEER REVEAL 🍻

If you're a follower of The Mill Brewery, you've probably already spotted these beauties.

If you're heading to Obsidian Dark Beer Festival 2026, you'll be pleased to know they're bringing both of them to Ballarat on Saturday 20 June.

🍺 Disgorged Barrel Aged Imperial Stout (2023)
A decadent 10.5% imperial stout matured in ex-Starward tawny port barrels, delivering layers of toasted oak, chocolate, coffee, raisins, brown sugar and caramel.

🦪 Skeleton Crew Oyster Stout (2022)
A cult favourite brewed with oysters, ocean water and salt, balanced by rich English malts and Fuggle hops for notes of dark chocolate, coffee, toast and a distinctive savoury, briny finish.

One beautifully aged barrel-aged beast. One uniquely salty, savoury stout.

Exactly the kind of dark beer lineup we'd expect from The Mill.

Who'll be making a beeline for these?

Grab your tickets today!
https://events.humanitix.com/obsidian-dark-beer-festival-2026

02/06/2026

Pre-sale available now!

Our Obsidian Dark Beer Festival collab for 2026 is with the legends from Noodledoof Brewing Co

Did someone say Sticky date imperial porter? Yes please!

Made possible with the support of Bintani Australia and Joe White Maltings!

Pre-order yours today for collection at the festival!
https://www.noodledoof.com/shop/p/obsidianstickydate

29/05/2026

Dessert at a dark beer festival? Oh yes. 🍫

We’re thrilled to have Mrs Browne Bakes joining the food lineup at Obsidian 2026, with Erica bringing her hugely popular baked creations to the festival.

From decadent sweet treats to the kind of baked goodness that pairs dangerously well with dark beer, this is the stop you’ll regret skipping.

The beer may be the hero of the day…but Mrs Browne Bakes is here to make sure your sweet tooth has its moment too.

Ballarat locals already know the hype. Obsidian attendees are about to find out why.

28/05/2026

Sure, the dark beer is the reason you’re coming to Obsidian… but wait until you see what Oz and the team from Woodside Food and Co are bringing to the table. 🍔🍺

One of Ballarat’s most talked-about food operators is joining the Obsidian lineup, serving up quality eats designed for festival day done properly.

Think rich flavours, hearty festival food and the perfect companion to a session of stouts, porters and dark beer discoveries.

Good beer deserves great food, and Woodside Food & Co absolutely understands the assignment.