Comment:

It may surprise some readers, upon reading the headline, to learn that the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular – which last year ran during Melbourne’s Good Beer Week – was not an official part of the week. There is a lot behind that fact, not least that you have two major and highly ambitious events running with their own independent visions that can be a little hard to resolve. Still, there is no hyperbole in the media release’s statement that both events have been described by top international brewers as the “the best beer festivals in the world”. I have heard this from brewers on a number of occasions and my feeling was that it wasn’t the usual thank-the-host type compliment, but genuine enthusiasm for what both events have achieved and the spirit of inclusion and celebration and the organisation behind them.

It is great to see to see they are combining forces this year. Book your holidays, flights and accommodation now. If it wasn’t already, Melbourne will be the place to be in May…

Media Release

GABS to Join Good Beer Week in 2014

Good Beer Week and GABS have both been independently described by top international brewers as the “the best beer festivals in the world”, and in just three years have drawn in brewers and beer lovers from five continents.

Due to the success of both festivals, it seems only natural that GABS and Good Beer Week should join to create a momentous week of celebrating all things craft beer.

GBW

The fourth Good Beer Week is expected to be the best yet, with the festival team recently revealing a teaser for their 2014 lineup that boasts talent from the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Japan, New Zealand and of course Australia. The festival will host around 200 events across Melbourne and Victoria.

GABS will take place from 23 – 25 May, during the final three days of the nine-day Good Beer Week festival, attracting an audience of 12,000 people to celebrate the innovation and diversity of craft beer.

Good Beer Week Founder and Festival Director, James Smith says, “Like Good Beer Week, the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular has played a key role in raising the profile of the Australian beer scene here and abroad. Working in tandem for the 2014 festival will help us create one of the greatest beer weeks on the planet and will ensure the good beer message reaches a bigger audience than ever before.”

GABS co-founder Guy Greenstone adds, “As both festivals are about promoting and appreciating fantastic craft beer and the people behind it, we are delighted to join forces with Good Beer Week to create a world class beer experience for visitors.”

GABS will this year see around 120 creative and modern artisan beers brewed specifically for the event by leading Australian and international brewers, and feature more than 250 beers from 130 breweries, as well as gourmet street food, a fromagerie, live entertainment, brewery and industry stands and free educational seminars.

Good Beer Week
May 17-25, 2014
www.goodbeerweek.com.au

Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular
May 23-25, 2014
www.gabsfestival.com.au