Cypher will open a second bar outside in the Goblin Beer Garden for the weekend. Photo: Supplied, Cypher Brewing Co.
Chaos Realm II is here with a killer lineup of dark beers, unhinged food specials and plenty of fantasy-tinged entertainment for kids and adults alike. Hosted by Gungahlin brewpub Cypher Brewing Co, Chaos Realm encourages attendees to embrace their inner goblin and take a walk on the dark side.
The annual celebration of dark beer, fantasy lore and brewers “who aren’t afraid to stir the cauldron” will feature 10 dark beers from eight independent breweries in NSW and the ACT.
Cypher co-owner Jeff Wilson-Shipley told Region they’re excited to grow the festival in its second year.
“We’ve got some of the best breweries in Australia attending, and they’ve proven that with results at national beer awards. Every brewery attending is amazing,” he said.
“As a dark beer fan myself, I’m really excited for all the beers. We’ve just bottled and kegged our own Chaos Realm Vol II beer, so I’m super stoked for that and really proud of all the hard work Matt has put in.”
Cypher head brewer Matt Thiele has made a barrel-aged Imperial Stout for the occasion, which will be pouring at the festival alongside Cypher’s full range of beers.
Chaos Realm is all about fantasy vibes, releasing your inner goblin and embracing the dark (beers). Photo: Cypher Brewing Co.
Some of the featured breweries include Dangerous Ales from Milton, which is returning to the festival and bringing a beer called Message in a Bottle, a maple bourbon-aged stout with vanilla. Seeker Brewing from Unanderra are first-timers at the festival, and have made a dark pastry cherry sour, layered with dark malts, cherries, cacao nibs and lactose for a creamy, dessert-style beer. Local favourites Capital Brewing Co will be pouring their Lamington Nitro Stout.
The best way to access each of the 10 dark beers is to purchase a Chaos Realm Passport, which gives you a discounted rate on tastings, and a prize for those completionist players who stamp all the beers across the weekend. The passport can be used on any day, so there’s no pressure to drink them all at once! If you’re more of a casual dark beer fan, general admission is free, and you can pay-as-you-go with tastings and other beers on tap.
The Chaos Realm Taproom will be joined by a second bar in the Goblin Beer Garden outside. Entertainment includes fire performances from Breeze Lignieres, kids’ entertainment, face painting and a costume competition. Think goblins, wizards, witches and all things fantasy adventurers!
Cypher Brewing creates a unique beer for each Chaos Realm festival. Photo: Cypher Brewing Co.
The kitchen has hopped on board with specials designed to bring out your dark side. The Pool of Void is a dish of roasted malt-rubbed brisket served with Paris mash and charred leek. The Fangs of Cob are corn ribs in house spices with Cypher’s beerbecue sauce and black aioli. Finish off with The Final Crumble: a blackberry stout crumble with chocolate ice cream and a sprinkle of black salt. It’s all a bit D&D (dark and delicious).
All parts of the business are coming together to make the festival a memorable occasion.
“We’re a bit unique in that we create all our food and our beers from scratch onsite, so we can rely on our team’s skills. We just give them a brief and then they have full creative autonomy,” Jeff said.
Attendees can vote for their favourite dark beer and the winner will be awarded the inaugural Chaos Realm Cup.
Chaos Realm II runs from Friday, 15 August, to Sunday, 17 August, starting at 11 am and finishing at 11 pm each day. Cypher Brewpub is located at Unit 3/35 Hinder St, Gungahlin, a short walk from the Gungahlin light rail stop. Find out more and buy your passport at Cypher’s website, or follow Cypher on Facebook and Instagram.
