What event draws beer lovers in droves to its hefty program of tasting parties, beer and food matching events, workshops and brewery tours? Why, Good Beer Week of course. Since launching in 2011, the annual event has worked towards becoming one of the best beer festivals in the Asia Pacific.
This year, the festivities will run from May 20-27, following on from Pint of Origin from May 12-21 and the Great Australian Beer Spectacular (GABS) from May 19-21. The program is geared towards hops lovers, foodies, beer geeks or simply punters after a good time, with the festival dedicated to all sorts of drinkers. Events will be spread out across the city with many much-loved venues hosting dozens of taps of the festival's best beers, exclusive dinner events, tasting sessions and workshops.
If you're curious about the program, your best bet is to have a solid browse of what's on over at the website. But for a quick rundown, keep reading. Number one on our list of events to attend is an epic creation story feast with Nornie Bero, legendary founder and head chef of Mabu Mabu. The Torres Strait Island feast is an interactive journey guided by Bero, who will relay a creation story throughout your meal. Some of the parts will be cooked over an open fire, adding to the mystique and atmosphere of Bero's storytelling. The evening rejoices in the diversity and flavour of our native ingredients, while your table is entertained with performances and some excellent Stomping Ground beers to match.
Other highlights on the program include but are not limited to; the Mjølner x Molly Rose feast, which pays homage to Viking-aged storytelling and creatively pairs beer with a four-course dinner menu at the restaurant; the Good Heavens Annual Oyster Fest; the six-course pork feast at crowd favourite Northern Git; and the curry and beer celebration that will be taking place at modern Indian restaurant Horn Please.
If you like your beer with a spot of bowling, put your skills to the test in the Battle of the Bars, Brewers and Bottle Shops edition, a round-robin competition that champions Melbourne’s vibrant beer communities. Happening at the Keys in Preston, 12 bars, 12 breweries and 12 bottle shops will go head-to-head, with the winners taking home an exciting prize – and bragging rights.
And a beer festival wouldn't be a good beer festival without bad singing, so join all the brewers and organisers at the Karaoke Party To End All Parties, taking place at the OG Moon Dog Brewery in Abbotsford.
To find out what else is happening across the week, check out the Good Beer Week website.
