GABS 2021
The Great Australasian Beer Spectapular returns with hundreds of brews and plenty of beer-fuelled fun.
Overview
After being cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, better known as GABS, returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre for the second time on Saturday, June 12. After humble beginnings in Melbourne a decade ago, it has now expanded to cover four cities in two countries, and is rightfully considered by most as the best craft beer and cider festival in the Asia Pacific region.
Once again the fest will wrangle up the best breweries from the region, and offer up hundreds of brews — which includes more than 100 exclusive festival beers and ciders. These exclusive and often wacky specialty brews are created just for the event and are generally the festival's main draw, giving attendees the rare chance to try brand-spanking new beers while meeting the brewers behind them.
Expect collaborations with everyone from coffee roasters and tea houses to gin and whisky distillers. In previous years, brews have also been made with biscuit makers and even an American barbecue smokehouse — so expect plenty of experimental tastes, too.
Apart from beer, the event also plays host to a silent disco, live tunes, cornhole, table tennis and giant Jenga, as well as wandering performances and local food stalls.