Media Release

Calling all Australian breweries for GABS 2014

After a hugely successful event in May, the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) will be returning to the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne next May 23 -25, now as part of the 2014 Good Beer Week.

With a strong emphasis on innovation, education and appreciation, GABS 2013 attracted almost 12,000 people over 3 days. While the ‘festival beers’ and exhibitor stands at the Dan Murphy’s Beer Market were the highlights for many, others included the Matilda Bay Craft Beer College educational seminars, high quality food stalls, live entertainment and games.

With planning well underway for GABS 2014 and many exciting new ideas fermenting, the festival organisers are now putting the call out to Australian breweries to get involved by brewing a festival beer and/or booking their own exhibitor stand.

Many of the best breweries from Australia and a small number of invited international breweries released 89 brand new festival beers at GABS 2013. Most were one-off beers while others were a new seasonal or core range beer. All were sampled for the first time ever by eager crowds at GABS. Limited extra tap spots have been made available for next year’s event and GABS is now seeking Expressions of Interest from breweries keen to offer up something new and special.

The ‘Market’ at GABS is for breweries or related businesses to showcase their products to a large number of craft beer enthusiasts at their own exhibitor stand. In 2014, the Market will be relocated and have a changed configuration to create a more bustling environment.

Ben Kraus from Bridge Road Brewers is one brewer already signed up for GABS 2014. “GABS takes large steps towards bringing a broader audience to craft beer. The event pushes some real creativity from brewers and lifts the industry in many ways”, he says. Renowned Italian craft brewer, Leonardo diVincenzo, from Birra del Borgo is another brewer eager to return declaring GABS “the best beer festival I’ve ever attended”.

To receive the GABS 2014 Brewery & Exhibitor Information Kit, please email gabs@thelocal.com.au.

For interviews and high res images:

Steve Jeffares, GABS Festival Co-Director
M: + 61 425 71 33 27
E: steve@thelocal.com.au