Overview
Gird your livers, all your beer lovers out there, for Melbourne's annual celebration of all things hoppy and gold. Announced earlier in the week, the program for this year's Good Beer Week features more than 270 free and ticketed events across Melbourne and Victoria, from workshops to tastings to food and brew degustations, and even an honest to God fashion show. In fact there's so much happening that they've tacked on three extra days, bringing the total to ten. Hardly a traditional week...not that we're complaining.
Running from Friday May 13 to Sunday May 22, the sixth annual Good Beer Week is split into various different streams. For those who like a drink with their dinner, the Foodie section features a number of enticing events, including a Vietnamese degustation at Uncle in St Kilda, a four course Louisiana beer dinner at Ding Dong Lounge in the CBD, and a Beers, Bikes and BBQ Feast at Kustom Kommune motorbike workshop in Fitzroy.
The party-packed Good Times section includes the opening and closing night shindigs, both of which will be held at Beer Deluxe on Flinders Street. Other standout events include a showcase of female brewing talent at The Fox Hotel in Collingwood, and an afternoon of beer, Reuben sandwiches and 90s hip-hop at 5 Points Deli in Carlton.
The remaining sections are divided based on your level of beer expertise. For those looking to expand their knowledge, Beer 101 features various workshops and presentations, including a hands-on cider making class at The Arbory on the Yarra, and an 'Australian tour' held at Pilgrim in Fed Square featuring six different beers from six different states. The Beer Geek and Beer Lover sections, on the other hand, are best suited to the beer swilling alcoholics veterans. Learn the ins-and-outs of nano-brewing courtesy of the folk at Henry Street Brewhouse in Kensington, or throw yourself into the annual Pint of Origin showdown at bars and pubs all over the state.
Good Beer Week 2016 runs from May 13 to May 22. For more information including the complete program, visit www.goodbeerweek.com.au.