The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular 2016

Overview

The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular returns to Melbourne for its sixth year in 2016. After humble beginnings, it's now expanded to cover three cities; it's going to Sydney for the second time this year, and is making its first appearance in Auckland.

Melbourne continues to distinguish itself, though. This year, the Australian Beer Co. and Yenda have joined forces with do-gooders Brewmanity to construct a giant Ferris wheel, with proceeds going to motor neurone disease research.

This mouthful of a festival — which is now considered one of the best beer festivals in the world — doesn't just bring you the best in craft beer anymore, either. Creators Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone (The Local Taphouse, Stomping Ground Brewing Co.) are now representing cider and food at this behemoth as well.

GABS is best known for its 120 'festival beers': specialty brews created just for the event. It gives attendees the rare chance to try brand spanking new beers while meeting the teams behind them. Really loving one brew or brewer? The People's Choice Awards allow you to have a say. In previous years, this segment has been known to launch some of the best and brightest into the craft beer scene.