There's less than a month to go now until the fifth Good Beer Week kicks off. Already, the number of sold out events is into double figures as the growing popularity of good beer and awareness of the festival come together in perfect harmony.
You can check where The Crafty Pint will be appearing (as well as see what's sold out) in our Event Diary listing here. Closer to the time, we'll be doing everything we can to ensure you know about all the pop-ups and meet the brewers taking place at the Pint of Origin venues too.
In the meantime, with close to 250 events to navigate, we figured we should do some of the legwork for you – especially as the site's founder is on the Good Beer Week team so should know the program like the back of his hand – so have lined up a series of themed previews to help you find your perfect event(s) in the spirit of our semi-regular Crafty Six features.
First up today, inspired by our appearance on Eat It on 3RRR yesterday alongside Matt from Boatrocker for a show all about fermentation, is a Crafty Six GBW Special looking at events where fermentation and funkiness will be on the lineup.
Click on the event titles to visit their listing on the GBW site
For The Love of Yeast
Pope Joan – May 19
$120
3 Ravens head brewer Brendan O'Sullivan brings beers old and new to pair with five courses featuring fermented ingredients from Pope Joan head chef Vanessa Mateus at the venue that hosted last year's sellout Mega Dega II.
The Wild Debut Imbibe & Banquet
Dr Morse – May 21
$100
Costa Nikias of La Sirène has proven himself a master of yeast driven beers with his range of saisons and other farmhouse ales, including some featuring wild, spontaneous ferments. He's bringing a range of beers, including a new release, to Dr Morse for a feast to which you're advised to wear elasticated pants.
Souring Inferno
Belgian Beer Cafe – May 19
$65
Last time we called in to see the 7 cent guys they were only too eager to show off their collection of barrels and various Brettanomyces strains. For this event, they'll be showcasing what has come from said barrels and test tubes with five funky beers paired with appetisers.
Southern Armageddon! Jester King vs Central Texas Barbecue
Dispensary Enoteca, Bendigo – May 17
$135
Jester King beers are rare as hen's teeth – and with good reason – so if you're in any way interested in cutting edge farmhouse style beers then you should try to hunt him down while he's in Australia. Bendigo trailblazers Dispensary Enoteca have enticed him to their venue for an intimate afternoon of "radical beer devotion".
Belgian Ale Stars
The Local Taphouse St Kilda – May 19
$40
The Belgian contingent heading to Good Beer Week will be appearing at the country's longest running monthly beer appreciation night in St Kilda. Head along to sample rare beers from Palm, Rodenbach and Boon and hear from some of the people behind them.
Farmhouse Nouveau Degustation
The Terminus Hotel – May 20
$99
The Terminus (pictured at top), the awesome Fitzroy North pub that was the GBW Festival Hub in 2013 and 2014, invites the aforementioned Costa from La Sirène to create a menu based around his Belgian and French-inspired ales.
We'll be publishing more of these themed previews every Monday, Wednesday and Friday up until Good Beer Week. In the meantime, you can check out the five event streams below and all Regional events here:
