The GABS Beer, Cider and Food Festival is working its way back for another huge year and it’s time to get your tastebuds ready for some of the most delicious and downright bizarre creations.
The trademark of GABS festival is the unique and wonderful one-off beers and ciders that are created each year. For 2019, the brewers and cider makers have taken inspiration from everywhere including Australia’s iconic flora and fauna and even moving into the reals of mythology.
This year the top 10 are cherry-picked for their peculiarity to make up the list of weird and wonderful brews you won’t find anywhere else.
1. LIZARD’S PICNIC (TYRANT ANT SOUR) – Shifty Lizard Brewing Co., SA
This year, Shifty Lizard wants you to dance like you’ve got ants in your pants. Harnessing an army of tyrant ants to the pour, with a citrus tone, this kettle sour can be a great way to shake off the nerves and bust a move.
2. KANGABREW – Rare Bird Brewing, VIC
Out of all the things that could be put in beer, we are sure you weren’t expecting char-grilled kangaroo! Inspired by this huge island we reside on, Rare Bird is bringing you a red wheat beer with native mountain pepperberry and the unusual addition of actual kangaroo. It’s fair to say, there are a few kangaroos loose in the top paddock at GABS this year!
3. THE BLOOD OF RA – Red Duck Beer, VIC
Inspired by the ancient mystique of Egypt, this brew is sure to make you feel like you’re travelling through the underworld, just like its namesake Ra, the sun god. Infused with Egyptian bread beer, with rye, ancient grains, Basilio sourdough, spices and fruit added.
4. VEGEMIGHT GOSE – Sweet Amber Brewing Co., SA
G’Day, it’s the taste of Australia that we know and love. A uniquely-dominant yeast aroma, unparalleled bitterness, tangy and salty, the breakfast of champions has been translated into everyone’s favourite fermented beer.
5. The Tim Tam Slam – Big Shed Brewing Concern, SA
An inoffensive Aussie classic, and insurmountably more delectable than a shoey, the Tim Tam Slam has garnered respect and fans around the world. This year, Big Shed is bringing you the much loved combo of coffee and Tim Tam in a stein. For extra authenticity, you can even sip it through a Tim Tam.
6. GRILLED PINEAPPLE SMOKED BACON NEIPA – Eden Brewery, NSW
Here to solve the age old debate of whether bacon belongs on pizza, New South Wales based Eden Brewery has taken it one step further, pouring up a Hawaiian pizza in a NEIPA. Sure to be one of the more polarizing brews on tap, will you be brave enough to give it a crack?
7. DAZY – Balter, QLD
Inspired by Balter’s wildly popular Hazy IPA, they are pouring up something bigger and better at GABS this year! Expect a brew that takes you back to your last exotic holiday…think tropical fruit, mango and citrus with light piney dank notes. Summer in a sip!
8. COFFEE AND DONUTS – Wayward Brewing Co., NSW
A cop show icon – the partnership is sure to lock-up a few hearts. Partnering with Grumpy Donuts and Toby’s Estate, Wayward has developed a delicious beer with a complex, warming and deeply comforting combination, made by throwing Grumpy Donuts in the mash and fermenter to deliver a sweet vanilla and cinnamon flavour, balanced out by a gently roasted and cold distilled special blend of beans.
9. Bloody Mary IPA – Aether Brewing, QLD
Pouring out a bright ruby red, this non-traditional take on a Bloody Mary packs in aromas of celery, cucumber, chilli, hop driven botanicals and of course tomato. Rich and juicy with a subtle tomato character giving way to the celery, cucumber with a mild lingering bitterness laced with chilli spice.
10. UNPH?GETTABLE BLONDE – Morrison Brewing, TAS
Blondes have more ph?n. This year, Tassie brewing company Morrison is pouring up a hearty malt, with layers of thai basil, coriander, citrus, anise, spices and possibly even some fish sauce.
This year’s line-up is sure to flirt with your senses and leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about beer – say goodbye to the traditional and embrace the crazy!
BRISBANE
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank
Sat 27 April 2019
MELBOURNE
Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
Fri 17 – Sun 19 May 2019
SYDNEY
Sydney Showground, Olympic Park
Sat 1 June 2019
AUCKLAND
ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane
Sat 29 June 2019 (tickets on sale: Fri 10 May)
