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!
PARTNERS
MAJOR PARTNERS
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
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 legendary Choripan and Big Papis Empanadas.
HIGHLIGHTS
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!
AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST BAR
Is this 30-meter 240 tap double sid d b Australia’s longest bar ever? We ar sure, but we do know it’s super impressive and has up to 120 brand beer, cocktail RTDs, seltzers and ci being served for the first time ever
MATSO’S WIN A VAN
Matso’s has always embraced a spi adventure and discovery – crafting beating refreshment since 1997 Now, they’re giving you the chance experience the ultimate freedom o a life with the opportunity to win the ultimate Van Life Camper – valued at $110K!
FEEL THE RHYTHM WITH LATIN BEER
Latin Beer is bringing the vibrant spirit of Latin America to GABS with live salsa dancers lighting up their stall all weekend long. With cold cervezas in hand and music in the air, it’s the perfect blend of flavour and fiesta. Don’t just taste the culture dance in it!
HIGHLIGHTS
REAR END REWARDS
Step right up, don’t be shy! Check out this delirious fun to look forward to! Introducing Rear End Rewards Buy any full size glass from the Delirium stand at GABS for the chance to take the plunge and win a prize!
MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE
The famous wheel of pourtune place on the main stage. It’s a g show based off some of the bes game shows like “Who Wants T Millionaire?”, “Deal or No Deal” a Price Is Right!” Spin it to win it!
WHEEL OF TATTS
The deadset legends at Blackflag Brewing are giving you the chance to spin for a choice of tattoo, with a number of one off designs available
You’ll be inked on site at the first ever GABS tattoo parlour
Helio Digital Printing Capability
Photorealistic image quality
Wide colour gamut (CMYK)
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.
Release your inner artist to imagine, inspire, and ignite creative freedom and limitless decoration capability using Helio by Orora™. Using cutting-edge digital print technology, bring your brand to life through high-quality decoration techniques to apply specialty varnishes and inks to make your brand pop on the shelf.
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Significantly reduced lead times for printing
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
Scan the QR Code or visit us at ororabeverage.com
JOIN
MASTERCLASS
SESSION 1 FRIDAY 23 MAY
SCHLENKERLA & SAUSAGE PAIRING
5:00 PM
6:00 PM
7:00 PM
8:00 PM
One of Germany's oldest breweries, famous for their incredible smoked beers. Meet 6th generation brewmaster and owner, Matthias Trum as we taste our way through one of the best pairings in life… smoked beers and Smokey sausages!
COOPERS MASTERCLASS
A chance to get up close and personal with 2 generations of the legendary Cooper's family, Dr Tim Cooper and son Ian as we taste our way through some old time favourites and the latest and greatest
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 WHISKY COCKTAILS
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))
SESSION 2 SATURDAY 24 MAY
1:00 PM
2:00 PM
3:00 PM
UP & COMING BREWS PRESENTED BY HPA
Snack and beer pairing featuring GABS 2025 Up & Coming brewers - Perentie, Tap That, Red Dog and Carbon 6
MONKEY SHOULDER WHISKY COCKTAILS
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
COOPERS MASTERCLASS
4:00 PM
A chance to get up close and personal with 2 generations of the legendary Cooper's family, Dr Tim Cooper and son Ian as we taste our way through some old time favourites and the latest and greatest.
CHECK
SESSION 1 FRIDAY 23 MAY
16:00 OPENING BELL
16:45 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE
17:05 EATING COMPETITION #1 - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE!
17:40 HOT POTATO BAND
18:25 CIRCUS TRICKS WITH LOLLIPOP
18:40 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE
19:00 KEGSTAR KEG CHALLENGE - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE!
19:25 CIRCUS DUO
19:40 HOT POTATO BAND
20:00 LATIN BEER DANCERS + MUSIC - HEAD OVER TO THEIR STAND
20:25 CIRCUS TRICKS WITH LOLLIPOP
20:45 EATING COMPETITION #2 - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE!
21:00 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE!
21:30 HOT POTATO BAND
22:09 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
22:15 CLOSING BELL
SESSION 2 SATURDAY 24 MAY
12:00 OPENING BELL
12:45 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE
13:05 EATING COMPETITION #1 - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE
13:40 HOT POTATO BAND
14:25 CIRCUS TRICKS WITH LOLLIPOP
14:40 MATSO’S WHEEL OF POURTUNE
14:55 KEGSTAR KEG CHALLENGE - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE
15:10 GABS AIR GUITAR CHAMPIONSHIP - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE
15:25 CIRCUS DUO
15:35 LATIN BEER DANCERS + MUSIC - HEAD OVER TO THEIR STAND
15:40 HOT POTATO BAND
16:25 CIRCUS TRICKS WITH LOLLIPOP
16:35 EATING COMPETITION #2 - SIGN UP AT THE MAINSTAGE
17:00 HOT POTATO BAND
17:39 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
17:45 CLOSING BELL
FOODHALL
EL’S FRIED CHICKEN
Succulent Nashville style
American fried chicken
OH WAFFLES WAGYU BLACKS
Scandinavian waffles + fluffy poffertjes
BROOKLYN DEPOT
Handcrafted Burgers, Hot Dogs Salads and Desserts
KNUCKLES 2
YOU
Traditional and authentic Bavarian flavours
Mexican street food cooked with fresh local ingredients.
MIGUEL MAESTRE
Legendary Choripan and Big Papis Empanadas
CARLOS TACOS
MY CABANA BRAZZO BOYS
Real Brazilian BBQ. The true taste of Latin cuisine
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.
AUSSIE HOPS FOR BREWERS & BEER LOVERS
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
