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GEELONG | As 2017 approaches and festival season heats up, both figuratively and literally, it’s time to get ready for that beer festival with the awkward acronym that you just can’t stop saying. That’s right, the Great Australian Beer Festival, GABF, is back.
On February 18 at the Geelong Racecourse, you’ll be able to sample over 200 unique beers and ciders on offer, as well as some wines. Beers from favourites like Balter, Kaiju!, Blackmans, 4 Pines and Mountain Goat are just a few that will be on offer. The focus is still primarily local and Australian beers, but the international beer hall will be expanded this time around so expect some interesting brews from breweries further abroad.
Food wise, it’s all about the food trucks as in years past, and there are some quality options on offer like Sunny’s Pizza, The Gypsy’s Lunchbox and Timboon Ice Cream.
There’s always been live music at GABF, but this year things are being taken further with three live stages featuring something for everyone. There will be over 20 artists like The Potbelleez, Richard Clapton playing a wide array of music. There are lots of activities for children too, so feel free to bring you kids along (children under 12 are free, 13-17 are $20.00). One of the things we love about GABF (we’ve been every year) is that it’s one of the most casual beer festivals we’ve been to. There’s no pretension, and its as much about just hanging out with family and friends and enjoying yourself as it is the beers themselves.
As is standard at all festivals a token system will be used for purchasing food and drink. Tokens are worth $2.00 each and can either be purchased when purchasing tickets online or on the day. Unfortunately unused tokens cannot be refunded, but they can be used for their full value at the Crust Pizza locations in Geelong and Belmont up until 11 March. In terms of beer and cider purchases:
- One token = 100 ml beer
- Two tokens = 200 ml beer
- Four tokens = 150 ml wine (one standard glass)
Note that some brewers may have speciality and/or high alcohol beers available that may cost extra tokens.
If you’re in Victoria during the third weekend in February we would highly recommend that you head over to Geelong and check out GABF. Brunswick Beer Collective members Jeff, Chris and Paul will also be there recording live and enjoying the food and beer on offer (so do stop by and say hi if you see us around!). To help you get to the festival location there will be a shuttle bus running from South Geelong train station (for $2.00 per trip) every 15 minutes which will also be doing a stop in Geelong CBD after 7:00pm for those looking to kick on. For more details, check out the GABF website.
Great Australian Beer Festival Geelong
Where: Geelong Racecourse, 99 Breakwater Road, Breakwater, Victoria 3219, Australia
When: Saturday 18 February 2017, 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Cost: Pre sale tickets are available for $39.50 plus booking fees for entry only or $79.50 plus booking fees for entry plus 20 tokens. Entry only tickets will also be available for $50.00 at the gate (unless sold out).