There's no better time of year for Melbourne's beer lovers than May, when Pint of Origin turns the entire city into a brew-tiful playground for ten days of froffy fun.
Running from May 15-24, the 2026 edition of Pint of Origin promises to showcase the biggest collection of beers at any one festival. First conceived in 2012 by the folks at local craft beer publication the Crafty Pint, the event will take over some of our favourite pubs and bars around the city, and we can't wait to taste the wacky and wonderful creations on offer.
Wondering how the event works? It's simple: across the ten days, around 800 beers from more than 200 breweries will hit the taps at 22 Melbourne venues. Each venue's mission is clear: to host a different region of Australia or part of the world.
This year, festivalgoers can use a digital passport to guide their journey, with bonus beers and prizes up for grabs. Upgrade to a VIP experience on a curated crawl with the Crafty Pint team, join a Drinking History Tour to hear stories over a pint, or try the Beer Belts tour, which takes you through the city's western 'burbs.
Participating venues will also be running pairing events, themed tap takeovers, degustations, trivia, run clubs, launch parties and opportunities to meet the brewers. Safe to say, there'll be no shortage of beer-soaked events throughout the program to take your fancy.
Pint of Origin 2026 Melbourne highlights:
The tap dancers from Beermash in Collingwood will be pouring European beers.
Benchwarmer in West Melbourne is showcasing Japanese brewers.
Our friends at Bridge Road Brewers in Brunswick will be spotlighting Victorian beers from regional destinations.
Yee-haw! Carwyn Cellars in Thornbury is pouring straight from the good ol' US of A.
Fitzroy's the Catfish is pouring New Zealand beers for you to wash down your fush and chups (or opt for a Philly cheesesteak instead, because the ones here are legendary.)
The Lincoln in Carlton, which needs no introduction, will be pouring Tasmanian beers.
Cheerful Miss Moses in Brunswick is all about the Sydney froffs.
Joining that long-running northside versus southside debate in Melbourne, Heartbreaker in the CBD will offer pints from north of the Yarra.
Meanwhile, Freddie Wimpoles in St Kilda is carrying the torch for brewers south of the Yarra.
The beer drinking playground Moon Dog Wild West will be showing beers from Perth, while the Park Hotel is getting some regional Queensland beers on the taps.
If you're curious about what's happening in the UK scene right now, head straight to Footscray's Mr West, which will be pouring British beers.
Brunswick Street's Near and Far will shine a spotlight on South Australian beers, while Brunswick's CoConspirators Brewpub will pour beers from regional Queensland.
Venom Brewing Taproom is repping the NT, while Sporting Club Hotel will be serving beers from Canberra and the ACT.
Windsor's Rose Island is turning its taps to China.
The Woodlands Hotel might look like a tiny German castle from the outside, but it's keeping its beers domestic from regional NSW.
On the other hand, Westside Ale Works has decided to pour regional South Australian beers, while the Royston Hotel will be sharing beers from regional Western Australia.
Whisky and Alement will pour beers from the Boilermaker Hub.
Finally, the Windsor Alehouse has chosen to pour "Pint of No Origin" beers. These are beers from brewers that don't own their own brewery so borrow facilities from others.
For more details on this year's program, check out the official website.
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