Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular: celebrating craft beer

The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular, affectionately known as GABS, stands as a unique and unrivalled event in the global beer scene. It is a singular gathering where aficionados can savour 120 fresh and exclusive festival beers, each meticulously crafted by 120 distinct artisanal breweries, predominantly comprising small independent establishments, all in the span of a single day. Annually, GABS issues a widespread call to breweries near and far, inviting them to tender their interest in brewing a bespoke GABS Festival beer. This summons acts as a fertile ground for brewers to unleash their creativity unhindered. It serves as a crucible of sorts, nurturing concepts for beers that aim to astonish and gratify the palates of attendees. Notably, over 1,400 brews have been concocted for GABS, with some of these festival creations transcending to become chart-toppers, such as Hop Nation’s revered Jedi Juice, Feral Brewing’s esteemed Karma Citra & Imperial Biggie, Deeds Brewing’s sought-after Juice Train NEIPA, and Two Birds Brewing’s iconic Taco, among a host of others! From the multitude of proposals received, only 120 elite selections secure a coveted spot – constrained by the capacity of taps adorning the vast GABS Festival bar. Each of these chosen brews exudes excitement and singularity as brewers test the boundaries of beer innovation! The current roster is a testament to this ethos, brimming with eccentric and fantastical blends. In the prevailing trends of 2024, we witness a surge in the incorporation of indigenous ingredients such as native Ooray (Davidson) plums, local macadamias, Australian endemic blood limes, ripe… Read More