FESTIVAL GUIDE 2025
Since its inception back in 2011, GABS has been a beacon of connection between craft beer loving consumers and hundreds of craft breweries! Being Australia's biggest indoor beer festival, we provide a unique opportunity for you to make a difference and support beers from over 150 different breweries, pouring from more than 500 beer taps, all in one day!
And with the well documented challenges the industry has recently been faced with, you being at GABS is appreciated more than you know!
Thanks for making craft one of your beverages of choice!
CHECK OUT
WHAT’SON
100+ BRAND NEW FESTIVAL BREWS
Never before seen beers and brews that are made exclusively for GABS. These brews are all unique and designed to surprise.
BEER HALL GAMES
Feeling competitive Challenge your mates to giant jenga, paddle pong, hook a tinnie or one of the many fun games, activities and competitions our exhibitors will be offering
UP & COMING BAR
The GABS Cares program with HPA presents the Up & Coming Brewers Bar featuring four emerging breweries per city Meet the brewers, hear their stories, and taste their beers!
MASTERCLASSES
Join us for exclusive Masterclasses at GABS! Learn from expert brewers, explore unique flavors, and deepen your knowledge in a fun, interactive session. Don’t miss out!
MIGUEL MAESTRE BEER LAUNCH
Miguel Maestre has jumped head first into the world of beer, creating his very own GABS Festival brew Be the first to join him for a beer and try his delicious paella!
WHAT’S ON
SILENT DISCO
Dance to your own beat at the GABS Silent Disco! Grab a pair of headphones and immerse yourself in a world of music, where you control the tunes!
HOT POTATO BAND
Hot Potato Band are bringing their larger-than-life brass collective straight to GABS. Our resident band has gone global as they travel the world these days! You do not want to miss the GABS Bohemian Rapsody anthem at the end of each session!
TOUR DE GABS
Bentspoke Bike’s bring the TOUR de GABS action! Jump on and challenge your mates to a race to claim the session sprint titles. It’s loads of fun and there are great prizes on offer
AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST BAR
Is this 30-meter 240 tap double sided bar Australia’s longest bar ever? We are not sure, but we do know it’s super impressive and has up to 120 brand new beer, cocktail RTDs, seltzers and ciders being served for the first time ever!
Helio Digital Printing Capability
Photorealistic image quality
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Smooth multi-coloured gradients and halftones
Highly opaque white
No colour seperation
Selective digital embellishments, spot matt and gloss varnish, textured ink
Seamless 3600 decoration
Printing on the chime and necked area
Single pallet run length
Unlimited randomisation capabilit y
Lower volume high speed digital print with no limitations
Helio by Orora™
First-to-market high-speed digital print technology, offering transformative packaging decoration.
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Ability to print smaller quantity runs, with less waste and turnaround times
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The can becomes the canvas for innovative marketing communication Enhances Orora’s in-house service offering and complements cans capacity expansion
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JOIN IN ON A MASTERCLASS
SESSION 1 FRIDAY 4 APRIL
UP & COMING BREWS - PRESENTED BY HPA
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
6:00 PM
Snack and beer pairings featuring U&C brewers & beers
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Is there a better combo than beer and award-winning salami's? We think not!
MONKEY SHOULDER
Cocktails that challenge the perception of Whiskythis masterclass is for anyone who doesn't think they like Whisky (and of course, for those who already do))
MIGUEL MAESTRE
What is a Spanish Pale Ale and does it pair well with paella? Celebrity chef Miguel Maestro thinks the answer is a resounding yes. Let's put him to the test and let him know what we think as we enjoy Miguel's GABS beer with his sensational paella.
7:00 PM 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
A journey through the abv's of beer. Does higher alcohol mean better beer? You tell us!
I SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM
8:00 PM
There are so many ice-cream beers this year, we couldn't resist the urge to taste them all This may or may not end with the best 'spider' you've ever had!
SESSION 2 SATURDAY 5 APRIL
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
UP & COMING BREWS - PRESENTED BY HPA
Snack and beer pairings featuring U&C brewers & beers
MIGUEL MAESTRE
What is a Spanish Pale Ale and does it pair well with paella? Celebrity chef Miguel Maestro thinks the answer is a resounding yes Let's put him to the test and let him know what we think as we enjoy Miguel's GABS beer with his sensational paella.
MONKEY SHOULDER
Cocktails that challenge the perception of Whiskythis masterclass is for anyone who doesn't think they like Whisky (and of course, for those who already do))
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE
Is there a better combo than beer and award-winning salami's? We think not!
SESSION 3 SATURDAY 5 APRIL
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
9:00 PM
UP & COMING BREWS - PRESENTED BY HPA
Snack and beer pairings featuring U&C brewers & beers
MIGUEL MAESTRE
What is a Spanish Pale Ale and does it pair well with paella? Celebrity chef Miguel Maestro thinks the answer is a resounding yes. Let's put him to the test and let him know what we think as we enjoy Miguel's GABS beer with his sensational paella.
MONKEY SHOULDER
Cocktails that challenge the perception of Whiskythis masterclass is for anyone who doesn't think they like Whisky (and of course, for those who already do))
10:00 PM 2, 4, 6, 8, 10
A journey through the ABV’s of beer. Does higher alcohol mean better beer? You tell us!
CHECK OUT THE
ENTERTAINMENT
SESSION 1 FRIDAY 4 APRIL
12:00 OPENING BELL MAIN STAGE 12:10 LIVE MUSIC: PHAT BRASS MAIN STAGE 13:10 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
13:35 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITIONHEAT #1 MAIN STAGE
14:20 Q&A: JOSH & NICK DAICOS MAIN STAGE
14:40
15:20 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS
15:40 KEGSTAR KEG CHALLENGE MAIN STAGE
16:00 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
16:40 LIVE MUSIC: HOT POTATO BAND MAIN STAGE
17:30 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP #2 MAIN STAGE
18:05 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITION HEAT #2 MAIN STAGE 18:30 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS BENTSPOKE
18:45 LIVE MUSIC: PHAT BRASS MAIN STAGE
19:30 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
19:50 KEGSTAR KEG CHALLENGE MAIN STAGE
20:30 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS BENTSPOKE
21:00 LIVE MUSIC: HOT POTATO BAND MAIN STAGE
21:45 CLOSING BELL MAIN STAGE
ENTERTAINMENT
SESSION 2 SATURDAY 5 APRIL ( DAY)
11:00 OPENING BELL MAIN STAGE 11:05 LIVE MUSIC: PHAT BRASS MAIN STAGE 11:45 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
12:05 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITIONHEAT #1 MAIN STAGE
12:45 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP #1 MAIN STAGE
13:40 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE 14:00 LIVE MUSIC: ALE CAPONES MAIN STAGE
14:40 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP #2 MAIN STAGE 14:45 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS BENTSPOKE
14:50 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITION HEAT #2 MAIN STAGE
SESSION 3 SATURDAY 5 APRIL (NIGHT)
TIME
18:00 OPENING BELL MAIN STAGE
18:05 LIVE MUSIC: PHAT BRASS MAIN STAGE
18:45 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
19:05 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITION HEAT #1 MAIN STAGE
19:45 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP #1 MAIN STAGE
20:00 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS BENTSPOKE
20:05 KEGSTAR KEG CHALLENGE MAIN STAGE
20:40 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE MAIN STAGE
21:00 LIVE MUSIC: ALE CAPONES MAIN STAGE
21:40 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP #2 MAIN STAGE
21:45 BENTSPOKE TOUR DE GABS BENTSPOKE
21:50 BROOKLYN DEPOT 1M HOT DOG EATING COMPETITION HEAT #2 MAIN STAGE
22:45 LIVE MUSIC: ALE CAPONES MAIN STAGE
23:15 CLOSING BELL MAIN STAGE
FOODHALL
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza
BILBO SNAGGINS
Grilled gourmet hotdogs
BURGER HEAD
Burgers by fine dining trained chefs
CHUBBY BAO
GREEK TROJAN
N°EXHIBITOR
01–BUCKETTY’SBREWING
02–WEIHENSTEPHAN
03–SCHLENKERLA
05–SAILORSGRAVE
06–MIGUELMAESTRE
07–STRAIGHTUPCOCKTAILS
20–MOUNTAINMONKBREWERS
21–OCEANREACHBREWING
22–FRANKSTONBREWHOUSE
23–THIRTYEIGHTOSIXBREWING
24–CAVALIERBREWING
25–CRAFTBAR
26–MATSO’S
30–SNOWMONKEYSAKE
31–DEVILBENDFARMBEERCO
32–DOLLARBILLBREWING
33–CASASPIRITS&COCKTAILS
34–PIZZINIWINE
35–FIRSTHANDBEER
36–KAIJU!BEER
38–AMBERBREWERY
39–STANDREWSBEACH
40–UP&COMINGBAR
40A–BENDIGOBREWING
40B–JUMPSHIPBREWING
40C–MAFFCOBREWERYANDDISTILLERY
40D–MURRAYTOWNSBREWINGCO
41–BLACKFLAGBREWING
42–HOPNATIONBREWINGCO
44–RAMBLERSALEWORKS
45–ROCKYRIDGEBREWINGCO 46–DANGEROUSALES
VENU
N°FOODVENDOR
08-EL’SFRIEDCHICKEN 09–BURGERHEAD 10–TACOSTATION 11–BILBOSNAGGINS 12–CHUBBYBAO 13–QBARBEQUE 14–WRAPROLLIT 15–GREEKTROJAN 16–FANCYHANK’S 18–NUGGIES 19–400GRADI 27–BROOKLYNDEPOT 37–GOOSEONTHE LOOSE
N°ACTIVATIONS
A1–BASKETBALL A2–DARTS A3–REFLEXCATCH A5–KNOCK‘EMDOWN A6–HOOKATINNIE 41–BEATTHEBAR A7–PUTTPUTT
HOWTO: TASTE
01
LOOK
Raise the beer in front of you but don't hold it up to direct light. Pay attention to the colour, clarity, foam and consistency.
03
SMELL
Take two quick sniffs through your nose and then one long one Try breathing with your mouth open and closed and take note of what you sense.
05
MOUTHFEEL
How does the beer feel in your mouth? It could be light and airy or it might be heavy and viscous? Is it very bubbly? The mouthfeel will be different depending on the style of beer, brewing methods and ingredient quality
02
SWIRL
Gently swirl the beer in the glass to unlock its aromas, stimulate carbonation and test head retention.
04
TASTE
Take a small sip but don’t swallow right away Instead, allow the beer to linger in your mouth which will allow the beer’s characteristics and flavours to shine through Fruity, smoky, smooth? What do you experience.
06
EVALUATE
Take notes! Beer tasting is an individual experience The more tasting you do it, the better you’ll get at understanding your own preferences
Proudly supporting the Up & Coming Brewers Bar
CRISP
Light, clean & refreshing
Delicate fruit Subtle fruit flavours add depth to these beers.
Maltaccented
Brisk hoppiness
HOP
Hop flavours and bitterness are the hallmarks of these beers
MALT
Expect some sweetness and flavours of nuts, toffee, caramel & fruit
ROAST
The highly roasted malts in these beers give coffee or cocoa style flavours
SMOKE
Smoked malts impart characters similar to some malt whiskeys or smoked meats
FRUITY/SPICY
Pepper, banana, and clove flavours are found in these yeast driven styles
TART/FUNKY
Yeast and bacteria give a combination of sour, rustic and earthy characters
Earthy & Dry
Malty backbone
Bold, herbal & citric
Toasty & nutty
Fruit & toffee
Some sweetness from a biscuity malt profile.
Fresh, refreshing hop aromas with crisp bitterness
Earthy, hay-like, grassy, and woody hop flavours with a dry malt profile.
Bursting with hop flavours and a complex or rich malt profile
Mild malt and heavy use of hops creates citrus, resin and tropical fruit flavours.
Earthy, hay-like, grassy, and woody hop flavours with a dry malt profile
The malts provide flavours such as dried fruit, plums or toffee.
Soft & silky
Dark & dry
Subdued smoulder
Spicy & meaty
Smooth and decadent with flavours of milk chocolate, coffee or hazelnut.
Full on roast characters such as espresso, dark chocolate, and raw cocoa.
The smoke is usually gentle, intriguing and in harmony with the other flavours
Bonfire and smoky bacon flavours, with subtle malts and yeast underneath.
Bright Bubblegum, citrus and banana flavours
Dark
Yeast and dark malts create dark fruit, banana bread and rich spice flavours.
Delicate Mild acidity and with crisp, tart characters
Fruity & vinous
Vinous with pronounced acidity and fruit characters
Earthy Sour and funky, these are often aged in oak
HOW TO: ORDERAPADDLE
GRABATASTINGPADDLE&CHALK
These will be made available near the 30m long festival bar as you enter
CHOOSEASECTION,CHOOSE5BEERS
Given there are so many beers to choose from, we have split the bar into multiple sections with 20 beers in each The traffic light indicators are a guide to what might suit your tastes.
WRITETHENUMBERSONYOURPADDLE
Each beer has a number Write the numbers down on the paddle in sequential order.
HANDITTOOURBARSTAFF
Our friendly bar team will now fill your glasses with your selected beers!
Work your way through each section or go back for seconds of your most loved brews!
SECTION 1: FESTIVALBREWS
