Beer lovers rejoice, beer’s week of weeks is back again and bigger than ever!
Do you like beer? Specifically good Aussie craft beer? Well, do we have the event/s for you. If you’re a beer nerd, you may have already heard about Good Beer Week, but if you haven’t, here’s the scoop. First of all, as you may have already guessed, it’s a massive week-long festival across Victoria dedicated to all things beer (duh). Running from May 20 to 27, there are around 300 different events throughout the state – we’re talking parties, walking tours, tap takeovers, festivals, and more – and (ballpark) 75,000 international and Aussie guests every year.
The peeps over at the Independent Brewers Association (IBA) built it as a way of growing a stronger, more sustainable future for the beer and cider community. Did we mention they’re proud partners of the Australian International Beer Awards and the three-day GABS Craft Beer and Cider Festival? To make the festival easier to navigate, the organisers have split the program into four streams: Foodie, Beer Lover, Good Times and Beer School for Education. There’s a ridiculous amount of fun stuff to check out, so here are our eight picks for the best events happening at Good Beer Week 2023 to help you narrow it down.
Is there anything cooler than Vikings and beer? Yeah, Vikings and Molly Rose beer! Join the team at Mjølner for a night of feasting, drinking and Viking decor. Hosted by the awesome Molly Rose brewers, you’ll make your way through a Viking-inspired four-course menu paired with a suite of Molly Rose beers. As you feast, you'll be taken on a journey, learning about their inspirations, what the brewing process is like and the flavour profile of each beer. It’s the ideal event for foodies with a Viking-sized appetite.
Where: Mjølner, 106 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
When: Saturday 20th May, 5pm till late
How much: $140pp
Where: Mjølner, 106 Hardware Lane, Melbourne
When: Saturday 20th May, 5pm till late
How much: $140pp
Come along to the Fox Hotel’s day of all things women and non-binary individuals in beer! There will be live discussions, educational panels and beer workshops all hosted by the incredible Pink Boots Society (an organisation that serves to support women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry). But it doesn’t stop there. You’ll enjoy fun stalls showcasing art, photography, live music and delicious food specials from The Fox Hotel. And we’re not done yet – there will also be (most importantly) limited edition beers brewed by local female and non-binary brewers. AND, it’s free to attend.
Where: The Fox Hotel, 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood
When: Saturday 27th May, 1pm till late
How much: Free entry
Where: The Fox Hotel, 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood
When: Saturday 27th May, 1pm till late
How much: Free entry
And of course, who could forget The Great Australasian Beer Spectacular (GABS)? Recognised globally as one of the very best beer festivals in the world, GABS is a “Disneyland” for beer lovers. Proved by the fact that there’ll be 120 new and unique craft beers brewed just for this event. Not to mention, street food, entertainment, silent discos, educational beer sessions, fun games and more. The Melbourne event (it also heads to Sydney and Brisbane in June) is spread across multiple sessions spanning three days. My Dan’s members even get 25% off tickets. So get in, and purchase your tickets now.
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
When: Friday 19th May to Saturday 21st May
How much: Prices change depending session, check GABS site for more detail
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton
When: Friday 19th May to Saturday 21st May
How much: Prices change depending session, check GABS site for more detail
Where: Boilermaker House, 209–211 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
When: Saturday 20th May, 5pm till late
How much: Free entry
Beer is good. Dogs are great. Beer and dogs? Well that’s a match made in heaven. If you share our sentiments, trot on down with your best doggy mate to Zymurgy in Footscray. Hop Nation Brewing Co will be serving up their delish brews all day and, best of all, your dog can join the sesh too – with Dog Nation Dog Beer. Huh? Beer for dogs? Well, not exactly.It’s made from 100% natural beef bone broth that’s chock-full of good stuff for both dogs and cats. So come down to Zymurgy for a can or two and some very happy wagging tails – maybe don’t bring the cat, though.
Where: Zymurgy, 561 Barkly Street (how appropriate?), West Footscray
When: Saturday 20th May, 12pm – 9pm
How much: Free entry
Where: Zymurgy, 561 Barkly Street (how appropriate?), West Footscray
When: Saturday 20th May, 12pm – 9pm
How much: Free entry
Melbourne, now’s your chance to try the GABS award-winning Mountain Culture Status Quo Pale Ale, served up by the brewers themselves. All week during Good Beer Week, Mountain Culture will be taking over the taps of the CBD’s Saving Grace bar. Even better news, it’s free entry, so you can try all of Mountain Culture’s rotating taps featuring all their staples and some limited-release beers as well.
Where: Saving Grace, 32 Church Lane, Melbourne
When: Saturday 20th May to Saturday 27th May, 12pm–10pm
How much: Free entry
Where: Saving Grace, 32 Church Lane, Melbourne
When: Saturday 20th May to Saturday 27th May, 12pm–10pm
How much: Free entry
This is one event you won’t want to miss. Nornie Bero – founder and head chef of acclaimed Mabu Mabu – alongside Stomping Ground beer, is hosting a multi-course Torres Strait Island feast inspired by a Creation story. Celebrating native ingredients, the menu will feature storytelling, song, and interactive performances washed down with some delicious paired brews. More than just a night of excellent food and drink, it’s a stunning opportunity to listen and learn from one of our country’s premier First Nations chefs. Celebrating the occasion, Stomping Ground have created a special collaboration beer using Indigenous ingredients, which you (you lucky thing) will get to try as well if you get onto tickets now.
Where: Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall,100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
When: Tuesday 23rd May 6.30pm– 9:30pm
How much: $115 pp
Where: Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall,100 Gipps Street, Collingwood
When: Tuesday 23rd May 6.30pm– 9:30pm
How much: $115 pp
This is one for the serious beer lovers – the ones who know their saisons from their IPAs. Happening at The Incubator (the HQ of Fixation Brewing Co.), six of Australia’s best and brightest IPA brewers will debate everything beer. Hazy vs bright, west vs east, lactose vs malt? It’s all happening. Plus you’ll be served a stellar Italian meal from the folk at Nonna’s House and three IPAs from the brewers attending. Too good.
Where: The Incubator at Fixation Brewing Co., 414 Smith Street, Collingwood
When: Wednesday 24th May 6:30pm – 9:30pm
How much: $74.99pp
Where: The Incubator at Fixation Brewing Co., 414 Smith Street, Collingwood
When: Wednesday 24th May 6:30pm – 9:30pm
How much: $74.99pp
