Itʼs time for beer lovers to rejoice as brewers, bars and bottleshops unite for a week long celebration of good beer at venues across Melbourne and Victoria.

Australiaʼs inaugural Good Beer Week sees dozens of events – from themed tastings and dinners to debates, comedy and the release of unique beers made specially for the occasion – take over the city in a unique festival that will be the biggest showcase yet for the countryʼs fast-growing craft beer scene.

With leading national and international brewers already in Melbourne for the industryʼs biggest awards night, it is the ideal opportunity for everyone from avowed beer aficionados to the beer curious to sample a huge range of incredible beers in all manner of environments. And while the greatest focus is on Australiaʼs burgeoning beer scene, there are plenty of chances to sample beers from New Zealand, Europe, Asia and the States.

“The beer landscape in Australia is changing fast, with more and more people realising thereʼs a whole world of vastly different and interesting beers out there that were unavailable here only a few years ago,” says Barney Matthews, part of the Good Beer Week organising committee.

“Now there are more than 100 breweries across Australia, many producing world class beers, and dozens of venues turning their backs on mainstream brands to offer an eclectic mix of homegrown and imported styles instead.

“With so many beer industry people and their beers in town for the Australian International Beer Awards, we felt it was the perfect time to celebrate what is happening. Melbourne and Victoria have picked up the baton from WA when it comes to driving craft beer
forward, which means we had the pick of loads of great venues and breweries to host events.”

The week kicks off with a Gold Medal Dinner at the Terminus Hotel in Clifton Hill, featuring five of last yearʼs AIBA gold medallists, and takes in showcases, tastings, meet the brewer sessions, a beer breakfast, the first ever Great Beer Debate at historic Ormond Hall and even a weeklong treasure hunt around many of the stateʼs venues and breweries.

A full rundown of events and participants can be found at www.goodbeerweek.com while you can also keep up to date with the latest news on The Crafty Pint (www.craftypint.com).

There is a mixture of free and ticketed events, with tickets selling fast already, and a number of casual events running throughout the week that allow people to dip into the world of good beer at their leisure.

“We believe the events offer plenty for those who already appreciate good beer, but also chances for those who donʼt yet know much about beer to sample it in all its forms in a relaxed environment,” says Matthews. “There are events in most areas of the city and
inner suburbs, as well as at breweries in country Victoria, from the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley to the Macedon Ranges and the High Country.

“We see the inaugural Good Beer Week very much as the start of something big for Australia. Even though there will be more than 30 events taking place over seven days, itʼs just a taste of whatʼs to come.”

The Good Beer Week website is at www.goodbeerweek.com. You can also keep up to date on Twitter by following @GoodBeerWeek or find us on Facebook

Good Beer Week is supported by Little Creatures, Bintani and The Crafty Pint

For more information, contact Barney Matthews on 0413 544 701 or email info@goodbeerweek.com