This year has been a wild ride to say the least. Closures have forced venues to come up with some pretty nifty ways to keep hosting events, but Melbourne bar and bottleshop Fizz and Hop have really outdone themselves in terms of innovating.
On Sunday August 30, Fizz and Hop will host Animal Frothing – a virtual beer tasting event happening entirely within the video game Animal Crossing (Zoom is so passé). Fizz and Hop has painstakingly recreated its bar inside the game, which really had a moment this year due to Animal Crossing's latest release coinciding perfectly with the first round of lockdowns.
The socialisation might be virtual but the beers are not. Included in the $45 "I'm more of a watcher" basic ticket are four Hawkers beers (a ten per cent imperial stout, a West Coast IPA, an XPA tinnie and a new mystery beer), which can be delivered for free within 6km of Fizz and Hop in Moonee Ponds. You don't need the game for this ticket, as you can watch the game unfold live via Twitch or YouTube.
But if you're keen on getting your mitts stuck into the game you can opt for the $70 VIP experience (limited to six people) where you can join the Fizz and Hop team in-game. There will be fishing and bug catching contests, plus a fancy dress competition to get involved with. VIPs will also get all the Hawkers beers plus a Hawkers beanie.
Apologies to any underage Animal Crossing fans, this event is adults only. Visit Fizz and Hop's website for more info and to book.
