Annual Okere Falls Beerfest the busiest yet

The sun was out and the place was packed as Okere Falls Store enjoyed its busiest Beerfest to date.

Sarah Uhl, Okere Falls Store owner, rated this year's 10th annual Beerfest a "massive success" and said the week as a whole was busier than expected.

"We had very big numbers across all days and this was the first year we sold out on a Friday night."

Saturday's event was the main attraction, with tickets selling out nearly three weeks prior.

"Saturday was definitely the craziest, but luckily everyone was well behaved and really enjoyed themselves."

Image 1 of 5: (clockwise from bottom left) Josh Ballard, Michael Walker, Eric Deverick, Ruben Anderson, Lewis Hogan-Estall, Brad Ingram. Photo/Ben Fraser

Auckland-based band Clap Riot ended their show with a bang as they performed in Rotorua for the first time.

As expected, plenty of beer was sold, and Mrs Uhl said there were quite a few empty kegs out the back by the end of the week.

The schweinshaxe pork roast dinner was also in high demand, with more than 300 plates served throughout the week.

"I don't think I will be cutting up meat for a while after this week," she said.

Mrs Uhl thought the weather played a major factor in this year's success.

"It was a whole week of sunshine so I think that encouraged people to come out and enjoy the start to summer."

Live from the Okere Falls Beerfest!

Posted by Rotorua Daily Post on Friday, 20 October 2017

Punter Brad Ingram and a group of his mates came down from Auckland specifically for Beerfest on Saturday after it was recommended to him by a friend.

"The best part was how authentic it was, from the music to the costumes and the beer.

"All the boys enjoyed themselves and I definitely think we'll make it a tradition," he said.

Out-of-towner Anthea Ogilvie made her way from Tauranga to attend her first Beerfest and said it was fabulous.

"The live music was fantastic, everyone was having a good time and there was no drama at all."

She said the best part of the day was definitely the beer.

"I like my Good George beer but I was taste-testing everyone else's so it was a great time."

Beerfest ran from Monday until Saturday, with each night hosting different bands and themes.