The Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (GABS) is returning for its three-city tour this June, but it will have a new home when it visits Melbourne.
GABS has called the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens home since 2012, but this year organisers have been forced to make a change and the festival will now take place at the Melbourne Showgrounds, home of the Melbourne Royal Show.
In a statement, GABS organisers said: “Despite having an impeccable usage record over the last 12 years, the organisers were informed, months after they had gone on exhibitor stand sales for the event that Heritage Victoria had imposed new regulations and restrictions on usage of Royal Exhibition Building which ultimately severely impacted GABS’ ability to deliver the festival in the traditional indoor format that fans have come to love and expect over the years.
“As such, out of respect for the building that they’ve called home for many years, along with protecting the curation and delivery of GABS Festival position as one of the best in the world, the GABS Festival Melbourne leg will be relocated.”
The new dates of GABS Melbourne 2024 will be 21-23 June, and once again the festival promises to deliver a wide variety of offerings, including:
- More than 75 fantastic drinks and food stands.
- Beers pouring from over 150 breweries through more than 500 taps
- Pink Friday Night Parties in support of Pink Boots Society
- GABS World Record Beer Tasting Attempt, presented by Stomping Ground Brewing Co (Melbourne only)
- Incredible prizes up for grabs including a seven-day trip for two to the Freising Volksfest in Germany in September 2024 and a five-day trip for two to Australia’s Craft Beer Capital, the Sunshine Coast.
- A GABS Beer Safari booklet for all ticket holders with over $250 in post GABS drinks and offers.
- Plus much more.
GABS Managing Director, Mike Bray, said: “It is a move we did not anticipate making in Melbourne and with the craft brewing industry having faced significant challenges recently with so many breweries under extreme pressure, we’re calling on all beer loving Australians to get down to a GABS Festival this year and come out in record numbers to get behind the 150 plus breweries that will have beers pouring on the tour.
“It’s a great opportunity to be part of the country’s biggest indoor ale trail and support so many breweries in one fun session, on one day.”
Tickets for the three GABS events will be available soon.