One of the country's fastest growing social events gets underway in Dunedin today.

More than 6,000 people are expected through the turnstiles for the annual Craft Beer and Food Festival at Forsyth Barr Stadium this afternoon.

Nearly 70 breweries from across the country will be at the sold-out event, including eight from Wanaka.

OUSA event director Luke Matsopoulos said the festival started from humble beginnings five years ago.

"It originally started out just on The Slab. And now we're at a capacity of 6,200 and were selling out two months before the festival, so it's gotten to the stage where Dunedinites know it's an annual thing and it's gone massive which is great."

Matsopoulos said it's one of the best in the country.

"I'd put ourselves up there. We've won the SOBA Award for three years in a row for the best Otago-Southland Beer Event, so we'll take that," he joked.