Good Beer Week Is Back for 2021 with a Stacked Tenth Anniversary Program

2020 might have seen Melburnians consume more beer than usual, but there was still a big, brew-shaped hole where Good Beer Week normally would have been. Like most events, the annual celebration got the pandemic chop last year, with its normal festivities cancelled due to restrictions and swapped out with an all-virtual version.

But now, the wait is finally over. Good Beer Week is set to return this May with its tenth anniversary edition. And if the program is anything to go by, Melbourne brew lovers are in for a couple of very busy weeks.

Running from Friday, May 14–Sunday, May 23, the lineup spans parties, feasts, tastings, masterclasses and more. The brews will start pouring at a grand opening night shindig at Beer DeLuxe in Fed Square, then descend upon venues across both Melbourne and regional Victoria.

This year's program will see you dosing up on some girl power at a special screening of Thelma & Louise paired with Two Birds brews, rocking out at a Daft Punk tribute party and eating oh-so-much seafood at Miss Katie's Crab Shack's Crab-A-Palooza. Elsewhere, Hop Nation hosts a dog-friendly 'do, wrestling returns to one Moon Dog site, a beer treasure hunt will take place at the brand's other venue, and Good Beer Week's first-ever non-alcoholic celebration sees Carlton North wine bar Henry Sugar teaming up with UpFlow Brewing.

Ryan Wheatley

Of course, there'll be plenty of return favourites featured throughout the ten days as well, including the Fox Hotel scavenger hunt, Atticus Finch's Beer vs Pig dinner, the Hair of the Dog breakfast session and GABS Festival — the huge tasting event hitting the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from Friday, May 21–Sunday, May 23.

Good Beer Week 2021 runs from Friday, May 14–Sunday, May 23, at venues across Melbourne and Victoria. Hit the festival's website to check out the full program and score tickets.  

Top image: Moon Dog World, Kate Shanasy.