GABS 2019

Overview

The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, better known as GABS, returns to the Sydney Showground for the fifth year running on Saturday, June 1. After humble beginnings in Melbourne nine years ago, it has now expanded to cover three cities, two countries, and is rightfully considered by most as the best craft beer and cider festival in the Asia Pacific region.

Creators Steve Jeffares and Guy Greenstone (The Local Taphouse, Stomping Ground Brewing Co.) have again wrangled up the best breweries from the region and are offering up hundreds of brews, including 100+ exclusive festival beers and ciders. These exclusive and often wacky specialty brews are created just for the event and are generally the festival's main draw, giving attendees the rare chance to try brand-spanking new beers while meeting the brewers behind them.

This year's festival brews include collaborations with coffee roasters, tea houses, gin and whisky distillers, biscuit makers and even an American barbecue smokehouse — so expect plenty of experimental tastes.

Apart from beer, the event will also play host to mini golf, a giant beer can piñata, a roller racing derby, a silent disco and a competitive scavenger hunt. The much loved 18-metre-high beer Ferris wheel will make its return, as will the usual wandering performances and local food stalls.

The single day event is categorised in two sessions, with session one from 11.30am–4.30pm and session two from 6–11pm. If you're a super keen craft drinker, you can purchase tickets to both sessions from Friday, March 29— we wish those ticket holders the best of luck.