Overview
Good Beer Week, the yearly celebration of all things hoppy and frothy in Melbourne since 2011, has announced that it won't be running in 2024. It's taking the year off to step back and reassess how it can keep hosting the annual event as running costs keep rising.
Announcing the news, the team noted how 2023 has been tough for independent brewers, and that it is looking for better ways to support them through the beer festival and other events.
Carmen Zammit
"As an avid beer fan, you'll understand the industry's challenges right now. We get it, times are tough, and prices have climbed but our Australian independent beer industry is at risk," the crew said in an email to its mailing list.
"So instead of being able to support Good Beer Week, we really need you to act now, seek out your local brewery or beer venue, and to look for the independent seal when buying your next beer."
Simon Shiff
But it's not all bad news. Good Beer Week usually partners with two other beer festivals around the same time of year, the Great Australasian Beer Spectapular (GABS) and Pint of Origin, and these will still take place in May 2024.
Exact dates for Pint of Origin haven't been released yet, but GABS has already confirmed that it will be running from Friday, May 17–Sunday, May 19.
Good Beer Week has also teamed up with The Crafty Pint to support Local Beer Day in 2024, an independent brewery festival that takes over pubs, bars and bottle shops all over the country. This will be running on Saturday, February 24.
So, even though you won't be able to hit up Good Beer Week in Melbourne next year, beer lovers still have stacks of opportunities to sample local beers and support independent brewers.
Ryan Wheatley
Good Beer Week won't take place in 2024. To keep an eye out for future plans, head to the festival's website.