Good Beer Week returns to Melbourne for the fifth year running for a celebration of the local and international craft beer scene. This year’s festival will take place over nine days, from 16-24 May, and will feature 250 events across more than 150 venues in Melbourne and Victoria.
“As we prepare to celebrate our first big anniversary in 2015, it’s been exciting as ever to work through the 250-plus submissions to put together the festival. Every year, the sheer invention of many of the event ideas blows us away, and the fifth festival is no different’, said James Smith, Good Beer Week co-founder and festival director.
The festival is once again proving a drawcard for international brewers, including first time visitors from America wild beer masters Jester King, New York-based Danish gypsy brewer Evil Twin and Victory Brewing from Pennsylvania. Returning for a third Good Beer Week is Japan’s Hitachino Nest, with the Japanese contingent boosted by the brewers from Baird Brewery and Coedo.
If May seems too far away, don’t despair, Good Beer Week has added another event to its busy calendar- the Hop Garden experience. The Hop Garden, located at Beer DeLuxe in Melbourne’s Federation Square, will take place from 27 February-9 March.
Hop Garden will be a free activation offering insights into how hops help add flavour, aroma and bitterness to beer. Hoping to depict the journey hops take from paddock to pint, the Hop Garden will feature interactive displays and be supported by the pop-up Good Beer Classroom on weekends.
Whilst the classroom hosts free masterclasses and education sessions, many punters will be attracted to the outdoor bar, which will serve hoppy brews from Boatrocker, Feral Brewing, Mountain Goat and Holgate. Tasting paddles will be available for those wanting the full range and each brew will be presented with tasting notes in order to illustrate the unique flavours and aromas.
Good Beer Week tickets will be available from 13 March, following the launch the Good Beer Week Gala Showcase. For more information, click here.