On the lawn of a church that has served Hamilton and Ascot since 1895, a much newer local tradition will return this August. The Rotary Club of Hamilton is preparing to hold its third annual Craft Beer Festival at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, bringing craft brewers, food and live music together for an afternoon of community fundraising.
More than 300 guests attended the October 2025 festival. Funds generated that year were distributed to three local charities, with Immediate Past President Victor Gado crediting the patrons, sponsors and donors who contributed to the event.
The festival will return to the Racecourse Road church on Saturday, 22 August, running from 11 am to 4:30 pm.
Three Beneficiaries for the Third Festival
This year’s proceeds will support Peggy’s Place, St Augustine’s Church and Brothers Support Network.
Peggy’s Place provides a safe place for families affected by domestic and family violence.
Brothers Support Network helps males with disability live independently through trained male support workers. Its services extend across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
For St Augustine’s, the festival serves two roles. The church is again providing its grounds as the venue while also receiving support for the restoration of its existing facilities and future improvement plans.
Father David Ruthven said the funding would contribute to that work as the Racecourse Road precinct continued to develop.
Craft Beer Returns to the Hamilton Lawn
The 2026 program will feature a selection of craft beers from artisan brewers, along with barbecue food and music.
Wine and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. Grazing boxes supplied by The Grazing Italians can be purchased as a ticket add-on, but they must be ordered before the festival and collected on the day.
Raffles will be drawn during the event, with the Rotary Club of Hamilton also accepting donated prizes and sponsorship enquiries. Harcourts Local is sponsoring the festival.
VIP tables offering food, drinks and maître d’ service will be available alongside general admission.
For patrons aged 18 and over, entry includes a voucher for the first drink and a keepsake glass. Responsible service of alcohol requirements will apply, and identification may be requested.
People under 18 can attend when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Adult and under-18 guests will receive separate wristbands.
Early-bird entry costs $30, while two tickets cost $60. The early-bird rates are limited to the first 100 bookings, with tickets and grazing box pre-orders available through Eventbrite.
Published 9-July-2026
