Last year’s inaugural Rifflandia music festival was fueled by Phillips Brewing’s easy-drinking pilsner, the almighty Rifflandabräu! The tasty tandem locked lips and made sweet liquored love at a number of memorable shows throughout Victoria last Labour Day weekend. After that blurry 72-hour rendezvous, the pair parted ways, but thankfully a reunion is just around the corner and you can already taste the anticipation.

 

The first of two Riff treats for 2009 is you don’t have to wait until Rifflandia kicks off on September 24 to taste this year’s batch of Rifflandabräu. Making its way into stores this week, Rifflandabräu will be the featured fourth in the new Phillips Showcase. The Rifflandabräu joins Blue Buck Ale, Phoenix Gold Lager and Slipstream Cream Ale in the Phillips mixed pack, providing a cool dozen brews to get you properly lubricated for the upcoming festival.

 

The second treat is that the new Showcase comes with specially marked Blue Buck bottles with a download code so you can check out six diverse acts appearing at this year’s Rifflandia festival. There’s some rollicking numbers from the Racoons, Flash Lightnin’ and the Dudes, mellower moments from the Blue Violets and Jon & Roy and a six-plus minute dance party from Longwalkshortdock.

 

After you pick up a Showcase and your wristband for the festival, be on the lookout for the Rifflandia magazine as well. Not only will this handy program guide tell you everything you need to know about the festival with schedules, band interviews and highlights from last year’s festival, there’s also an informative insider’s look at how we get so much rocking flavour inside each bottle of Rifflandabräu.

 

The Phillips Showcase featuring Rifflandabräu is hitting cold beer and wine stores the last week of August. Rifflandia runs from September 24-27 at various venues throughout downtown Victoria. Check rifflandia.com for full details.