GABS 2022: Australia’s biggest travelling craft beer festival is setting off down the east coast

Craft brew enthusiasts are readying themselves for the Great Australian Beer Spectapular, aka ‘Disneyland for beer lovers’ which kicking off in Brisbane before heading to Sydney and Melbourne next month.

It’s billed as Disneyland for beer lovers, so it’s no wonder that so many craft brew enthusiasts start frothing at the mouth at the prospect of the annual Great Australian Beer Spectapular.

Since its inaugural events in Sydney and Melbourne in 2011, the rise of the travelling festival known affectionately as GABS has coincided with the explosion of craft breweries in Australia and is now recognised internationally as one of the best festivals for hardcore and casual beer lovers alike.

The event expanded to Brisbane in 2019 and is now drawing brewers and cidermakers from around the country and New Zealand, all keen to show off their wares to each other and the general public.

Great Australian Beer Spectapular 2021 for SMARTdaily.

According to GABS Festival Director Mike Bray, this year there will be 600 beers on tap, 120 breweries making a beer specially for the event and between 65 and 75 exhibitors (depending on the city) assembling pop-up bars to showcase the best of their range and eager to interact with craft beer enthusiasts.

“You take a tasting paddle and taste as many of the 120 as you would like to enjoy,” says Bray. “The great thing about it is that brewers use GABS as an opportunity to go as creative and unique as they can on beers. For them it’s a great opportunity to push the boundary on what you can actually do with beer.”

Great Australian Beer Spectapular 2021 for SMARTdaily.

Some of the beers that made their debut as GABS specials – such as Biggie Juice IPA from Feral and Taco from Two Birds – have gone on to become part of their brewers’ core range and part of the fun of the festival is marvelling at the weird and wonderful concoctions on offer. Bray says last year’s left-field highlights included a Lamb Souvlaki beer from Sydney outfit Willie the Boatman and a Smashed Avo Sour from Melbourne’s Public Brewing Co – and this year he’s looking forward to trying a chicken salt creation from Adelaide’s Big Shed Brewing Concern.

Great Australian Beer Spectapular 2021 for SMARTdaily.

The festival is a wonderland for the most hardcore of craft beer nerds – many brewers bring their expert staff along to pour drinks and answer questions and there are blind tastings and sessions on food pairings and the brewing process through the GABS Craft Academy. It’s also a two-way learning opportunity: members of the public get to interact with trailblazers such as Scotty Hargrave from Balter or DJ McCready from Mountain Culture, and breweries get to observe first-hand which of their beers resonate.

“We run the GABS Academy throughout the day and have different educational components with five brewers on a panel presenting tasting paddles of five different beers and you get to do a Q&A session with the brewers where they will all share their experiences behind their beer or their journey into beer.”

Great Australian Beer Spectapular 2021 for SMARTdaily.

But Bray is eager to stress there is something for everyone at GABS. In addition to the roaming jazz bands, circus performers and silent disco, there’s also food trucks and stalls showcasing wine, whiskey and gin.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are at the gateway level on your craft beer journey or you have very experienced tastes,” he says. “We cater for everybody to come out and have a good time.”

Great Australian Beer Spectapular 2021 for SMARTdaily.

CRAFT BEER FESTIVALS HEADED YOUR WAY

THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN BEER SPECTAPULAR

■ Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, May 7

■ Sydney International Convention Centre, May 20-21

■ Royal Exhibition Building Carlton (Melbourne), May 27-29

TICKETS AND EVENT DETAILS AT GABSFESTIVAL.COM

MELBOURNE: BREWERS FEAST

ABBOTSFORD CONVENT, ABBOTSFORD, APRIL 23-24

Two days of craft beer, food, music and masterclasses from breweries including Melbourne outfits Burnley Brewing, Hop Nation, CoConspirators Brewing Co, Two Rupees Brewing Co, Sobremesa Fermentery and Blendery and Future Mountain. All will brew a beer specific to the festival and tickets include a sample of each.

SYDNEY: BEER FOOTY AND FOOD FESTIVAL

HENSON PARK, MARRICKVILLE, APRIL 23

The name says it all really – 33 brewers including Akasha Brewing, Balter, BentSpoke Brewing, Bondi Beer, Willie the Boatman and Young Henry’s will converge at the home of the Newton Jets, who will cap off the day with a rugby league match against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Pair up your fave brew with food offerings from local burger and gnocchi specialists, as well as Jamaican BBQ, vegetarian/vegan food trucks, hot dogs and gelato.

BRISBANE: JUICY

FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL, FORTITUDE VALLEY, JULY 9

A brand-new festival driven by hometown brewing heroes Range Brewing, created by beer brewers for beer lovers. There will be over 40 specialist brews from Aussie outfits including Wildflower, Banks Brewery, Hop Nation, One Drop and Sea Legs, and even Garage Project from across the Ditch. Some of Brisbane’s favourite restaurants will have pop-up stalls and Sampology and Winston Surfshirt will bring the tunes with DJ sets.

ADELAIDE: BEER AND BARBECUE FESTIVAL

ADELAIDE SHOWGROUND, WAYVILLE, JULY 17.

Beer, BBQ and beats: it’s a match made in heaven. The final line-up of brewers won’t be announced until next month, but expect local legends including Pirate Life, 101 Brewery, Barossa Valley Brewing, Beernoevil and Blackwood Brewhouse, as well as plenty of big players from interstate. On top of that there will be a mouth-watering array of food options and some slamming music acts including Bodyjar, Skeggs and the Smith Street Band. Four sessions across the weekend, including a child and family-family friendly Sunday option.

Visit smartcraftbeer.com.au to join the SMART Craft Beer Club and access the following offers.

● OFFER 1: 2 x tickets to GABS plus 2x GABS 2021 Hottest 100 Mixed Packs for $199 (RRP $280)

● OFFER 2: The Beer Footy & Food Festival Mixed Pack for $45.95 (RRP $65)

● OFFER 3: GABS 2021 Hottest 100 Mixed Pack for $89 (RRP $110)