Dickson Taphouse to host Flood Relief Festival with BentSpoke's Hop Diver beer to raise money for flood affected communities

As the director of The Meem Collective, which owns Dickson Taphouse, he's in the business of serving cold ones.

However, Mr Diver also grows hops near Braidwood at Tallaganda Hops. And it's these hops that have been used in BentSpoke's special release beer, Hop Diver, that will help raise money for those affected by floods in New South Wales and Queensland.

This weekend Dickson Taphouse is hosting the Flood Relief Festival, with proceeds from the sale of Hop Diver going towards the cause.

"There are three varieties of hops going into the beer and they're all grown just near Braidwood on my block," Mr Diver said.

"Normally, the hops would go to maybe three or four brewers but because of the floods, I was flooded in, so some people couldn't get out to collect the hops.

"By the time I could get out, I just got them all to BentSpoke, where Richard [Watkins, BentSpoke founder and headbrewer] worked his magic to create a beautiful IPA that's got that fresh hop flavour in it.

"This small batch has been a real labour of love, so I cannot think of a better way to celebrate its release by giving to those who have lost everything."

As well as money coming in from the sale of Hop Diver, Capital Brewing has donated a keg of Coast Ale to help raise funds, and there will be QR codes for patrons to donate directly to the cause through givit.org.au.

The day will also see more than 20 local craft beers on tap, games, auctions, food and music from local bands including The Fuelers and Zambezi Sounds, to turn the fundraiser into a festival.

It will also be the first big event at Dickson Taphouse since it opened in May.

"Canberra's been through a heavy lockdown and everyone's been hiding away, but now things are coming back to life a little bit, we thought we'd try to get Canberrans out and in amongst it," Mr Diver said.

"It's also something for the poor people up north. Everyone knows someone who's been affected up there, whether it's friends or family, or it's friends of friends. And then there was the recent rain as well, just when they thought they were over it."

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Communities in southeast Queensland and New South Wales were impacted by heavy rain and flooding at the end of February. The floods continued this week when the heavy rains returned.

"We know when natural disasters strike, getting basic items directly to those on the ground is critical for the rebuilding of impacted communities," Meem Collective managing director Ben Johnston said.

"Raising funds for givit.org.au is a really efficient way to provide items such as linen and fridges to those in the affected areas."

Lismore residents on New South Wales' north coast woke up to stagnant floodwaters filled with floating debris on Thursday, as they begin to clean up the city from the second flood in a month.

Heavy rainfall on Tuesday night caused the river to overflow and flood nearby streets in the Lismore CBD, shocking residents on Wednesday morning. The intense low-pressure system has since moved south, providing some reprieve for Lismore on Thursday.

"A lot of debris and rubbish have washed up. This is unbelievable," Lismore resident Scott Broadribb said.

"I actually woke up this morning thinking this was a dream for a split second. Talk about deja vu, huh? To be here a month later looking at the exact same thing. I'm speechless."

The Flood Relief Festival is on Saturday from 12pm until late.

- with Shivé Prema

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