Riff’s Festiv-ale has been created for the 2026 Illawarra Folk Festival by Seeker Brewing. Photos: Seeker Brewing.
A Unanderra brewery has created the perfect drop to pair with the musical performances set to stun the region at this year’s Illawarra Folk Festival, with the iconic event inspiring the launch of a new beer.
Seeker Brewing has come on board as a major sponsor of the festival in 2026, with an exclusive new beer created for the event.
“We immediately put our hand up and were stoked because we align a lot with the local community in live music so that was something that we really wanted to do,” Seeker Brewing head brewer Jeffrey Argent said.
“Collaborating on a beer also happened quite organically with Ben being a brewer here who is also a main organiser of the festival – he actually came up with the brew recipe.”
The pale ale, named Riff’s Festiv-ale, was designed to cater to the vast audience and age ranges set to attend the festival and help satisfy thirsts at the warm, summer event.
“It’s based on some recipes and brews we’ve done in the past,” Jeffrey said.
“We kind of took elements of our core range XPA, dialled down the tropical hops in it, made it a little lighter, less fruity.
“Something clean and refreshing for a hot summer boogie.”
Seeker’s Jeffrey and Curtis Argent enjoy collaborating with the community and supporting the local music scene.
The festival’s mascot Riff is not only recognised in the beer’s name but also makes an appearance front and centre on every single can, which will only become available once the event is underway.
“It will be available exclusively at the festival first and then it will be available at the tap room after that for sure,” Jeffrey said.
Seeker Brewing is passionate about collaborating with local events and businesses to showcase the best of the region.
“It’s huge just in the way of locals supporting locals and also promoting local produce and local businesses – it goes hand in hand,” Jeffrey said.
“Also people who are visiting the festival from afar get a sense that the Illawarra area’s got a lot happening and we can show off our product and music and it’s such a cool thing to promote.”
But if the exclusive drop isn’t to your specific tastes, Seeker is ensuring there’s some other favourites to choose from to keep festival-goers grooving all weekend long.
“Apart from the Festiv-ale we’ve got three or four of our other core range beers so there’s going to be a good offering,” Jeffrey said.
“You’ll see us at the festival dancing around too so if you see someone with a Seeker shirt on, come say hello.”
The Illawarra Folk Festival runs 16 to 18 January at Bulli Showground. For more information or to buy tickets visit the festival website. To find out more about Seeker Brewing and their releases visit the Seeker website.
