It’s that wonderful time of the year again as lagers, stouts, sours, pilsners and pale ales descend upon Melbourne for Good Beer Week 2021. Celebrating its tenth trip around the sun Good Beer Week kicked off back in 2011 and this anniversary is one hell of a sud soaked festival of amber ales.
Due to the festival being on the backburner through 2020 there’s even more jam-packed into the lineup of beer worshipping events, and as per usual we’ve crafted our very own guide for navigating the seven day celebration.
Brewery Brawl #2
Moon Dog & Wrestlewrock have come together once again to bring quite possibly the most essential event of the week. Throwing down at the old haunt that is Moon Dog World brewery in Abbotsford, this beer fuelled wrestling event is guaranteed to provide a suplex of entertainment with plenty of Moon Dog craft ales to accompany.
This one is definitely going to book up quick, so get a move on.
The Details
When: Saturday 15 May, 7pm until 10pm
Where: Moon Dog O.G, 17-23 Duke Street, Abbotsford
For more info, click here.
Cans At The Tan
Not only is this our favourite rhyme of the festival this event brings that perfect alignment of health and the beverage of choice. As the name would suggest this navigation around the botanical gardens track will be rewarded with beers from the legends at Bridge Road Brewers. Finally, a reason to pound some pavement.
The Details
When: Saturday 15 May, 9pm until 12pm
Where: Royal Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
For more info, click here.
Beers For Queers
Don’t call it a comeback, after a brief hiatus Beers For Queers is back. Taking place at the Fox Hotel in Collingwood this celebration of beer and queer is supported by a stacked line up of performers and DJ’s. This fully inclusive event is also accompanied by a range of specially brewed LGBTQIA+ to get stuck into.
The Details
When: Saturday 15 May, 9pm until12pm
Where: The Fox Hotel, 351 Wellington Street, Collingwood
For more info, click here.
Dog Nation 2021
There’s nothing quite sinking a couple in the company of your four-legged friend and Hop Nation has designed their GBW event for just that. The Footscray locals are opening their door to all doggos and goodest boys/girls with a mobile vet for those who’ve had one too many, dog merch, and treats for dogs and humans. There will also be a spectacular range of crafted beers in case there wasn’t enough to entice you.
The Details
When: Sunday 23 May, 12pm - 6pm
Where: Unit 6 107/109 Whitehall Street, Footscray
For more info, click here.
The Moon Dogs Beer-Y Banquet
Sit down and get stuck into this three-course soiree paired with a range of different beers hosted by the brewers from Moondog. Get up close and personal with five different beers straight from the source which are rumoured to be some of the most unique and elusive beers in the Moon Dog World.
The Details
When: Wednesday 19 May, 6.30pm until Late
Where: Moon Dog World, 32 Chifley Drive, Preston
For more info, click here.
Where The Wild Things Char V At Bluebonnet
What’s beer without a bit of BBQ? This isn’t your typical Bluebonnet experience, with a set course of ethically harvested, free-range wild boar, goat, venison and wallaby supplied by the sustainable and agricultural friendly Discovered Wildfood. With insight from Fixation Brewing and Bluebonnet owner/chef Chris Terlikar this night’s about all the things that add to making beer great.
The Details
When: Friday 21 May 6pm until 8pm and 8:30pm until10:30pm
Where: Bluebonnet Barbecue 124-126 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
For more info, click here.
Upflow’s Non-Alcoholic Four Course Lunch
If you prefer to keep it clean then Upflow’s non-alcoholic luncheon is for you. With a focus on the quality of the ales this low and zero alcohol event is aimed at providing a good time minus the hangover. Housed at Henry Sugar and curated by Upflow Brewing Collection you’ll sample a range of beers including a spanking IPA.
The Details
When: Saturday May 1pm until 4pm
Where: 298 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
For more info, click here.
Grab Six Mates It’s Time To Dodgeball | The Great Dodgeball Slam
In partnership with the Australian Dodgeball Federation (yes that’s a thing) Two Birds Brewing and BentSpoke Brewing Co are launching the second GBW Dodgeball Slam.
The competition is designed to suit all levels of dodgeball skill and experience and with frosty tins from the brewers you’ll be equipped for a day of dodge. Prizes go out to the winners as well as the best dressed for the day, tickets cover your rego as well as couple tins for the day and an afterparty to celebrate with your foes. L for love baby.
The Details
When: Saturday 22 May 1am until 6pm
Where: Two Birds Nest, 136 Hall Street, Spotswood
For more info, click here.
The Great Australian Beer Spectacular
The GABS is an absolute mammoth event catering to the core of core beer enthusiasts.
Taking over the entire Melbourne convention and exhibition building through Good Beer Week this is a true celebration of ale with over 120 different beers and ciders crafted especially for the spectacular. You can jump into the GABS craft academy with panel discussions, feature sessions and tastings. You hear straight from the who’s who in the craft beer world of Australia as they share their tips and tricks to brewing. There’s also the Dan Murphys marketplace where you can pack your favourite beers samples straight off the shelf for safekeeping.
The Details
When: Friday 21 May until Sunday 23 May
Where: DFO South Wharf, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
For more info, click here.
Feel like a beer after that? Here’s where you should head.
Image credit: supplied