GABS Auckland 2018

Overview

Whether you're a craft beer fanatic or can't tell the difference between a lager and stout, the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) will have something for your palate this June. The annual beer and cider festival is a breeding ground for interesting new brews. The event was built around the idea of inviting the best breweries to create new beers, and since its inception in Melbourne in 2011, GABS has seen brewers experiment with everything from marshmallows to cold brew coffee, Skittles, snails and crickets in their creations.

This year is set to be no different with more than 90 unique beers and ciders being brewed especially for the event, and 300 concoctions from across New Zealand and Australia up for the tasting. After appearances in Melbourne and Sydney the event will touch down Auckland at ASB Showgrounds on 30 June. Organisers are expecting over 35,000 beer lovers through the door.

Food is another big element and this year's street food lineup will include: Dixie BBQ, Taco Loco, House of Dumplings, Puha & Pakeha and Judge Bao.

New to the 2018 event will be a themed mini golf course and silent disco to burn off the hops. GABS has also teamed up with Irish distiller Jameson who will be highlighting its Caskmates program, where whisky is aged in beer-seasoned barrels.

At the Ariston Food & Drink Experience, attendees will enjoy food, beer and cider pairings, while the GABS Craft College panel discussions and masterclasses will offer beer enthusiasts an opportunity to hear from top brewers.