The beer festival scene will look a little different in 2026, as one of the country's premier events, GABS, or the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, is being paused for the year. But don't fear, the announcement comes with the assurance that it will return in 2027 with a reimagined format that does the event's legacy justice. The news was revealed by Dr Jerry Schwartz, owner of Sydney Brewery, whose Schwartz Family Company (SFC) recently followed up on a 2023 investment in GABS with a full takeover. While events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are being restructured over the next 12 months, regional events in Canberra and the Hunter Valley are moving ahead unchanged. "The craft beer landscape has never been more challenging, but we are confident that with fresh new ideas and the support and expertise of our extensive craft beer and hospitality network, GABS will remain the benchmark for craft beer promotion in Australia," said Dr Schwartz in a statement. Founded in 2011, GABS has built a stellar reputation for showcasing the best of Australia's boundary-pushing independent brewers. Yet in recent years, some regulars have felt that the festival has lost the atmosphere that once made the event so special, not helped by numerous smaller brewers turning away due to the high cost of attending. "We have plenty of great plans, but we always listen and learn from our partners involved in our festivals. We plan to reassess the venues, timings of festivals, even the number of sessions, and possibly add cider and spirits to the events, so that we can grow the customer base and provide a memorable experience," said Dr Schwartz. As for the ever-popular GABS Hottest 100, the poll is going ahead as usual, with beer-lovers invited to vote for their favourite five breweries until Sunday, January 11, 2026. With Mountain Culture Status Quo completing the three-peak in 2024, becoming just the second brewery to do so, only time will tell if a new champion claims boozy bragging rights. GABS Festival is expected to return to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in 2027. Head to the website for more information.