One of the most headline-making beer festivals in the world is coming to Brisbane on May 23 and 24, and a few homegrown Gold Coast breweries will be part of the action.
Famous for its bold and creative brews, GABS Festival invites guests to sample more than 100 exclusive beers crafted specially for the event.
This year, they’re upping the ante and constructing Australia’s longest bar, a 30-metre-long centrepiece designed to showcase these one-of-a-kind pours.
Celebrity chef Miguel Maestre will also be joining the fun in Brisbane, serving up a delicious feast, launching his brand-new beer RUBIA, and hosting food and beer pairing workshops across both days of the event.
There will be a number of Gold Coast breweries in attendance too – Precinct Brewing Co., Surfers Paradise Brewing Co., Balter and Arundel’s Hound n Stag. We caught up with Roy Hall from Hound n Stag ahead of the festival to get the lowdown on all things GABS.
Tell us about what you’ll be showcasing at the festival? What’s the story behind them?
We’re showcasing Luwak Latte – a smooth, creamy coffee beer inspired by the world’s most luxurious cup of brew. We wanted to create something playful that blurred the lines between indulgence and tradition. Legend has it, our brewer tasted kopi luwak [a coffee made from coffee cherries partially digested by a civet, type of mammal called] on a trip through Southeast Asia and became obsessed with the idea of crafting a beer that captured its rich, velvety essence (without the civet involvement, of course!). The result is a luscious milk coffee ale that’s bold, silky and just a little cheeky.
Our region’s beer industry has exploded over the past few years. What is it about this part of the world that helps us make such good beer?
The Gold Coast and Northern Rivers have this laid-back, innovative spirit that naturally spills over into the beer scene. The local community is super supportive, and there’s a genuine camaraderie between breweries that pushes us all to keep raising the bar. Plus, nothing beats sipping a cold one under the GC sun!
What are you most looking forward to at GABS?
We love the energy, the people, the creativity, the innovative and wonderful beers that make you question everything you thought you knew about brewing! It’s like a giant playground for beer lovers. And honestly, there’s nothing better than seeing someone take that first sip of something unexpected and loving it.
What’s next in the pipeline for your brewery?
We’ve got a fresh lineup rolling out that we’re really excited about. Hoppy Trails is a bold 7.3% IPA loaded with citrus and tropical vibes — it’s punchy, juicy, and brewed for those who like their hops with attitude. Bitter End is our take on a more subtle, Best Bitter — smooth, with notes of honey and biscuit, and just enough bitterness to keep things interesting. And for something completely different, we’ve crafted a Japanese Rice Lager that’s crisp, clean, and endlessly drinkable — a nod to tradition with a local twist. All three are now pouring and officially available in cans, and for the home bar enthusiasts, we’re now filling corny kegs too!
Anything else to add?
We take the craft seriously, but never ourselves. Come say hi, try something new, and let’s have a laugh over a schooner (or two).
