f wine isn’t the tipple that takes your fancy then maybe you’ll be more interested in the hops or harder stuff?

Lunch Amongst Brewery Tanks: Holgate Brewhouse, Woodend.
March 20 from 12pm–4pm.
$75. Bookings (03) 5427 2510.
Long lunches of beer matching and general discussion sound like a great way to spend an autumn afternoon. There’s nothing better than drinking beer from the source!

Distiller for a Day: Timboon Railway Shed Distillery.
March 20–21 from 12pm–10am.
$980.Bookings (03) 5598 3555.
Okay, it might be pricey, but if you’ve got it and you’re after an overnight discovery of the distilling process… and two liters of whiskey to take home in its own oak cask, then this sure sounds like fun.

Creating the Perfect Cocktail: Match Bar & Grill.
March 15–18 from 6.30–10.30pm.
$110. Bookings (03) 9654 6522.
A hands-on cocktail event with a matched three-course dinner – need we say more? No, but we will. This is a lesson in cocktail history, the tricks of the trade and the ingredients that really matter, guided by Match’s Russ McFadden. Cheers!

Champagne and Cocktails Dinner (Festival Closing Dinner with cocktails): Match Bar.
March 23 from 6.30–11pm.
$165. Bookings (03) 9654 6522. We can’t let the festival go without a fond farewell. Making the most of Match’s beautiful space and views, the evening is a four-course dinner from head chefs Simon Arkless and Paul Wilson. A decadent way to see out the festival.