The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular juggernaut will pull into Sydney on Saturday, after smashing records last weekend in Melbourne.
Originally held in The Local Taphouse Melbourne and Sydney, owner-operators of the pubs and GABS – Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone – expanded the craft beer-focused event into Melbourne’s historic Royal Exhibition Building three years ago.
This year it was determined to bring the off-site version to Sydney for the first time.
Last weekend saw more than 16,000 people flood the Melbourne instalment over three days, and Jeffares says the timing is perfect for the Sydney premiere.
“We’re so excited to take this event, with all the bells and whistles, to Sydney for the first time,” said Jeffares.
“We will be showcasing incredible food and 300 beers, including the creative beers brewed especially for the event. There is a demonstration kitchen, a beer ‘college’ and the entertainment is better than ever before, with mind-blowing circus performances, roving musicians, tap dancers and table tennis tournaments.”
Local breweries will include: Murray’s, Rocks, Doctor’s Orders, Modus Operandi, Nomad, Thirsty Crow, Riverside, 4 Pines, Young Henrys and Australian Brewery.
Awards, innovation and collaborations abounded this year, as the event gains reputation for inspiring some cutting-edge one-off recipes that sometimes go on to market.
4 Pines’ brewer Leigh Smith says their GABS ‘peanut beer’ recipe this year was inspired by a Snickers bar.
Young Henrys produced a cherry Flanders ale using cherries from a local lavender farm, aged for six months in rum barrels, and combined with a rich velvet stout made with raspberries.
The collaboration between Australian Brewery and Feral Brewing – Storm Trooper Imperial Pilsner – snatched Silver, but David Ward from the AB, which won four more medals, says it was their special brew that made their day.
“We are most proud of our gold medal for Saison D’ Heretique so proud it may be making a prompt return as a more permanent line.”
Tickets for Saturday are still available at www.gabsfestival.com.au
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