Quench your thirst when Good Beer Week returns to Melbourne. Back for its 11th year, this celebration of great beer and delicious food is channelling a retro Melways theme. Explore a stacked range of events across Melbourne and Victoria and discover the best beers around the state. Good Beer Week will run from Saturday May 20 to Saturday May 27.
Good Beer Week
This year, Good Beer Week has a program that’s filled to the brim with events for you to discover. The curated program will showcase over 70 events across Melbourne and regional Victoria, with a focus on Australian independent beer.
They’ve also partnered with Pint of Origin (hosted by Crafty Pint from May 12-20), GABS Melbourne (May 19-21) and the Australian International Beer Awards (hosted by Melbourne Royal on May 25) to keep the beer celebrations going over 16 days.
Highlights include:
1. The Creation Story Feast with Mabu Mabu’s Nornie Bero
When: Tuesday May 23, 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Enjoy an interactive, multi-course Torres Strait Island feast inspired by a Creation story at Stomping Ground Brewery. Try specially-designed dishes that celebrate native ingredients, paired with Stomping Ground beers. Engage with First Nations culture and understand the significance of storytelling with interactive performances throughout the night. A specially brewed beer with indigenous ingredients will also be revealed on the night.
2. Beef, Beer and Barley
When: Wednesday May 24, 6:30pm – late
Head to Victoria by Farmer’s Daughters in Fed Square and try limited-edition beers in the sensory private dining room. They’ve joined forces with Good Land Brewing and Bonnie Brae’s Farm to give you a taste of Gippsland, with IPAs, sours and barrel-aged options. Pair your beer with grain-fed beef.
3. The Floating Swine goes to Hepburn
When: Tuesday May 23, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Head to the recently hatted venue, The Surly Goat, in Hepburn Springs for a five-course menu paired with delicious regional beers. A few surprises will be revealed on the night.
4. Great Deeds Bakeoff
When: Tuesday May 23, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Create your best beer dessert with Deeds beers at Deeds Taproom & Kitchen in Glen Iris. Enjoy savoury canapes on arrival, then watch the judging from 7pm. Contestants will present their cake on stage, and audiences can try a sample of each entry in the competition. Desserts will be judged on appearance, flavour, texture, creativity and how well they used the beer.
5. Good Beer Annual Scavenger Hunt
When: Thursday May 25, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Grab your mates and head to The Fox Hotel in Collingwood for a night of mayhem. Go on a scavenger hunt for beer, filled with clues, mystery, games and more. There’s lots of prizes and giveaways, so everyone’s a winner.
6. Abbey Collaby XIII launch party
When: Wednesday May 24, 5:00pm – Late
Head to Moon Dog OG Abbotsford for an old fashioned hootenanny. Have fun with barnyard themes, a bucking bull, country performers and heaps of beer. This free event is also raising funds for the Collingwood Children’s Farm. If you can’t make it, Moon Dog is also throwing a karaoke party on May 27 from 7pm.
7. Hop Nation – Dog Nation at Zymurgy
When: Saturday May 20, 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Want your dog to join in on the fun? Bring them along to Zymurgy in West Footscray and give them some Dog Nation – Dog Beer from Hop Nation. Ideal for both dogs and cats, this treat is made from bone broth. Share a can with your dog and take some home.
That’s just scratching the surface of all the events and happenings around the festival. Explore Good Beer Week and find more events near you by checking out their website.