The Great Australian Beer Festival hits Geelong in a week, bringing an abundance of pop up bars, street food and live music to the CBD.
It’s time to raise a tasting glass of liquid gold to the ultimate festival featuring epic eats, beats and beer, descending upon Geelong next Saturday, April 2.
Following the devastating postponement of Geelong’s Great Australian Beer Festival back in January cancelled just days ahead of the event – yes, we cried – the epic local beer festival will finally descend upon Geelong’s Johnstone Park bigger and better than ever; set to deliver two jam-packed sessions guaranteeing twice the fun and offerings throughout the day.
Keeping the summer vibes flowing well into the autumn months, patrons will have the opportunity to indulge in over 200 of the finest hand-crafted beers, ciders, cocktails and wines; perfectly complemented by the very best in local gourmet street food, all while blissing out to some of the best live music across two sessions from 11am-4pm and 5pm-10pm.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.
Dedicating an entire day to the cream of the crop in terms of Australian brewers, the anticipated event will mark the GABF’s ninth year showcasing hundreds of different brews with a variety of styles of beer and cider in Geelong. Here punters will be able to discover tipples from the likes of locals favourites Bells Beach Brewing, Brewicolo Brewing Co, Blackman’s Brewing Co, Little Creatures Brewing Co, and Great Ocean Road Brewing, as well as guests from across the state and beyond. These include the likes of Bright Brewery, Burnley Brewing Co, Colonial Brewing Co, Deeds Brewing, Jetty Road Brewing, Hawkers Beer, Kaiju Beer, Mountain Goat Beer, Fury and Son, Moondog Brewing, and Stomping Ground Brewing, as well as cider tastings from Willie Smiths Cider and Franks Cider.
From small-batch speciality brews like “Jackalope Whisky Sours”, “Pana Chocolate Stouts”, “Sticky Fingers “Lagers” and Chlorophyl IPAs to reliable draught favourites and pallet cleansing Ales, there will be a beer for absolutely everyone. And for those maybe not so keen on beer, there’s a selection of wines, cocktails, seltzers, ciders and crush concoctions.
While beer lovers are in for a treat, so are music lovers. Headlining the evening session is electronic dance punks Art vs Science and Fulton Street Band.
Based in Sydney, Art vs Science not only makes the sort of music played in nightclubs; it is one of the few outfits in Australia which can actually play in nightclubs – live. No laptops, no backing tracks, just drums, keyboards, synths and three sets of funky hands. Since becoming a household name in the Aussie dance scene in the 2000s, these guys continue to breathe fresh air into the genre, with an immediate, breath-taking live show, and songs that sound pleasing, joy-inducing; as if meticulously designed, element by element, to intensify user stimulation.
Joining Art vs Science on headliner duties is Melbourne based seven-piece Fulton Street Band, known for their volcanic soul music. Confidently led by the deep expressive vocals of iconic soul queen Shannen Wick and fully backed by a killer band, this talented lot has been self-producing fan favourite tracks for years, including the most recent and danceable single ‘Weight of the World’, released in September last year. Known for their energetic and all-encompassing performances at the likes of Boogie Festival, St Kilda Festival, Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne Music Week, and more, the ever-beloved party band is back and is sure to take your beer-drinking good mood to new heights.
Rounding out the night session will be local acts Immy Owusu and Beans, two of the most prolific live acts from the region. This session is all about the good vibes and we’d recommend jumping on a ticket, stat.
If the day session is more your vibe – with the glorious sunshine and the kiddies in tow – music fans won’t be disappointed with The Badloves and The Settlement electrifying the stage.
A band that epitomises Australian music from the 1990s, The Badloves’ fresh brand of soul-infused rock was tantalising for those chasing something a little softer than the Powderfinger’s, You Am I’s, Regurgitator’s and Spiderbait’s of the time. With their raw Hammond organ and guitars, driven bass and drums, and a soul-fuelled singer-songwriter in Michael Spiby, the combo drew a distinct line in the sand. Injecting soul-infused rock into Johnstone Park, the ’90s legends will have you up on your feet, we can promise you that.
Performing just prior to The Badloves will be The Settlement, a funk-fusion jam band of brothers from regional Victoria that rose from the beer-soaked “pub” scene of South-East Australia. ed by enigmatic singer Calvano, an undeniable baritone weaves an evocative tapestry of rock ’n roll scenes across The Settlement’s repertoire, pulsing beneath the classic drive of a gritty guitar, laced with a soaring fiddle and founded on the experimental rhythms that gave them their uncanny energy since forming. Find us a more fitting band for a beer festival, we’ll wait.
They’ll be joined by esteemed local arts Izzy Losi and The Viola’s. There’s just something about a cold beer and a live band… it’s almost too good to be true.
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In between acts and venturing around the beer taps, make the most of free masterclasses, forums and workshops during the day, or check out Andy Pobjoy’s Piano Bar pop-up and the roving cabaret performers at night. There will also be delicious food available the entirety of the festival with cheese from Archive Wine bar, Bavarian Bangers, Burn City Smokers, Chubby Bao, Lil Dumpling Van, Nuggies, Pizza Forno and Sweet Sandy’s Café De Wheels.
GABF overflows with fun, from the moment you set hands on your tasting glass, ‘til the time you’re tipping back your last beer of the day, and the return to the central location – just a short walk from Geelong station – will offer easier access for visitors and has plenty of accommodation and nightlife options for those kicking on afterwards. How good’s that?
GABF will transform the iconic and picturesque Johnstone Park into a beer oasis on Saturday, April 2, 2022 with two sessions, 11am-4pm and 5pm-10pm. Both sessions include access to the event and all entertainment.
Limited tickets remain on sale now and can be purchased here.
