Beer connoisseurs are invited to Tauranga's version of a Bavarian beer festival on April 27 when Farmer Auto Village hosts the Craft Beerfest.

Ten of New Zealand's finest breweries will be showcasing their premium beers at the festival organised by Liquorland in Mount Maunganui and Tauranga.

Liquorland Mount Maunganui and Tauranga owner Lisa Parker. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Liquorland owner Lisa Parker says more than 40 beers will be previewed at the festival.

'We've got our local guys Paul and Nigel Croucher from Croucher Beers in Rotorua.

'We've got Aotea Breweries from Kawerau.

'A lot of them have specifically done brews and have done a batch of their brews for the Craft Beerfest.”

Looking at the labels on some of the beers, Lisa says people can expect a fresh taste as some of the brews are only a few weeks old.

'You're going to taste real quality, and the fact with Craft Beers is it's all about the flavour and the passion behind the brewers.

'It's all natural, you're not getting any additives and preservatives you have with mainstream beer.”

Craft Beers came about in 1981 and Lisa says it has really grown.

She says New Zealanders being New Zealanders, 'we're all about the innovation and entrepreneurship”.

'Not all the brewers are fulltime brewing, for some of them it's just their passion.

She says Moa Beers is Kiwi innovation at its best, when it comes to who has a cork bottle top with a cap on it, which is all done by hand.

'And when you see Paul Croucher mixing up the mash, it just really gives you a sense of passion and the labour that goes into it.”

Tickers for Craft Beerfest are available at Liquorland, or from Farmer Auto Village on Hewletts Road.

Lisa says there are 400 tickets available, but they are going fast.

'I have had some queries with people asking why would I pay $80 and then pay for my beers.

'The $80 is all inclusive, when you walk in you get a lanyard, a glass, a tasting booklet and then you can sample whatever, wherever all of these over 40 beers.”