Meat, meat, and more meat. Hosted at the Melbourne Showgrounds, the multi-day festival was jam packed with meat lovers from all walks of life. Okay, so it was 90% men collectively dressed in a sea of flannel and denim. Luckily, there’s never a shortage of mouth watering grub to feed them all at Melbourne Meatstock.
It wasn’t all about meat though. Bands entertained the crowds while they explored the world of meat. Dusty Boots opened the festival on Saturday with a relaxed rock vibe, setting the tone for the rest of the festival.
There was lots to discover both indoors and outdoors. You could shop for a new barbeque, test out a variety of meat cleavers and even get your beard groomed. I made a pit stop to taste a shot of espresso martini from a company called Justin Metcalf Espresso Martini. What a blessing, and so convenient you don’t have to mix and make. I then tried McClures Bloody Mary flavoured potato chips. Strange idea but trust me on this, it works.
There was an area to educate all the meat lovers on the subject of the day. I listened in to an interesting talk about the different cuts of beef. Did you know that you can even buy wood specially infused with scent for smoking meat? Blackheath Firewood Co offered apple, cherry, pecan, peach, and chestnut varieties.
I then headed to the main food area to indulge in what can only be described as a meat extravaganza. I ordered a beef short rib from Burn City. It was heavenly, a true fall off the bone delight. I felt primitive, like a wild animal chowing down on its prey. It was a beautiful slab of meat. The aromas of smoked meat billowed all around me. I’m sat at home with my belly full, writing this article and the scent of smoke still lingers.
Australia has once again certified its dominance as the leading nation of the barbeque. Meat overload. There were no vegetables in sight. It’s true what they say ‘you don’t make friends with salad’ I’ve never heard of a salad festival, have you? It was the opposite of Woodstock, there were certainly no Hippies here. Think lumberjack.
If eating a delectable piece of meat with a cold beer in the sun sounds like your perfect day, then don’t miss out on Meatstock.
– Leah
Leah Sparks is a Canadian girl living in Melbourne. Other than her love for maple syrup, she digs the outdoors, live gigs, beer, the 70s and cruising around Fitzroy with her white wolf.
Meatstock is a Meat and Music Festival. To find out more, like their Facebook Page. Meatstock is coming to Sydney from 6-7 May 2017.
