It all started back in April 2012, when Offshore owner Brett Morton turned to Bays Brewery’s Peter Salmon and said, “How about we do a charity music and beer festival outside Offshore, on Torquay harbour?”
The first attempt… didn’t exactly go to plan.
After some serious under-promotion, the day ended with Pete handing out free beer samples, trying to persuade passers-by to come in. Safe to say, they were ready to throw in the towel.
But Brett wasn’t done.
After licking his wounds, he pushed ahead with year two — and in 2013, Offshore & Bays Fest was truly born. A stage on the harbour, the best local musicians, an outdoor bar pouring top local beer and cider… all in the sunshine, raising money for a great cause.
This time, the community showed up in force.
And from that point on, Offshore & Bays Fest became a fixture on the Torquay calendar.
By 2015, things stepped up another level. Offshore had expanded, meaning more space and more people, and Bays Brewery chose the festival to launch their new craft lager, Devon Rock. A big moment.