Highlights from Sydney GABS 2025
The buzz around GABS
Now in it’s 10th year, the Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular (or ‘GABS’ as it is locally known) is a beer and food festival that celebrates the diversity and creativity of craft beer from Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. The idea behind GABS was to invite local craft breweries to submit a special beer just for the event and showcase their creativity. This first GABS was first held in in Melbourne in 2015 and expanded to include Sydney the following year.
We have been going for a few years running now. It gives us an opportunity to connect with some of our beer nerd friends — we have some people we only ever see at GABS — and also taste some new, and sometimes very experimental, beers. If you had told me that a beer that tastes like a Golden Gaytime would be one of the ongoing success stories of GABS, I would have said you’re crazy. But after all of these years we have a yummy Golden Stout Time from Big Shed. Such is the magic of GABS.
The 2025 Sydney vibe
Sydney's GABS 2025 delivered many of the hallmark experiences we have come to expect: extensive rows of taps showcasing a diverse array of festival beers, appearances by special international guests, and a lively band energising the festival stage. Even with all of the celebration and joy on the day, this year's event felt notably subdued. The venue seemed more compact, a higher number of beers that ran out or were scratched before the end of the Saturday shift were surprising, and there were the session we attended was not sold out.
This shift may reflect broader challenges within Australia/New Zealand craft beer industry. While breweries like Mountain Culture and Garage Project continue to grow, others have faced significant financial hurdles. Wayward Brewing entered voluntary administration in early 2024 but has since restructured and emerged. Similarly, Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. underwent a financial restructuring in late 2023. Then in 2025, Hawkers And White Bay merged to adapt to the evolving tough craft beer landscape.
These financial strains have likely impacted festivals like GABS. Participation requires substantial investment, and with tighter budgets, some brewers may question the return on investment on creating a festival beer, putting on staff to work the booth, and the additional promotional costs. The Festival 6 Pack this year only contains 3 different beers. The changes in the craft beer scene are undoubtedly influencing the dynamics of such events. Plus, festival attendees may be feeling the pinch of the current financial situation and feel their dollars could be spent elsewhere.
Notes on festival beers
Having said all of that, we definitely had a good go at the festival beers on offer and found some humdingers. Here are our thoughts:
🥇 Standouts
Majestic Haze — A collaboration from Mountain Culture & Garage Project — not the juicy punch in the mouth you expect from MC. It’s a perfectly balanced marriage of two heavy hitters. I hope this one doesn’t disappear too soon.
WTDHWCIIIPA from Devilbend Farm Beer Co — Really chose this one because of the name if I’m being honest. But ended up being a stand out with complexity and balance. Doesn’t come off as too boozy at 9% and the citrus comes through too.
F You I Wont Do What You Tell Me from Green Gully Brewing — Again, really picked this one but as we tend to like saisons, we had to give it a go. It has a lovely balance and more approachable than many other farmhouse styles. Hoping they keep this one on the rotation.
🍺 Nerdy Beer Names
Princess Peach from Dangerous Ales — I mean come on, right in our wheelhouse. And a top IPA to boot. Peachy, sweet and creamy
A Rose in Every Cheek from Captain Bligh's Brewery — A Vegemite toast beer reference and we do love a good pun
Breakfast Red IPA from Aether Brewing — This one references one of our, and Captain Jean Luc’s favourite teas, Earl Grey. Maybe this one is meant to go with the Vegemite beer.
Vegan Custard Tart from Molly Rose Brewing — You had me at vegan custard.
🚫 Not For Us
Crust Cutter from Tallboy and Moose — Love the idea of a PB+J beer, but found this one had an odd after taste
Apple-Y-Ever After from Capital Brewing Co — If you’re a fan of apple you’ll like this. But is was too much like an apple cordial that needed more water for my palate
Pro tips for attending GABS
As we have mentioned previously in our Getting ready for GABS post, there are a few things you can do to make your GABS experience a winner. See our pro tips on that page, but here are a few more we remembered this time:
If you plan to sit for a while, get those seats when you can especially if you are attending with a bigger group. But also, don’t be afraid to ask someone if you can sit with them, most people are pretty obliging to scoot down. We met lots of people this way.
You will get beer spilled on you at some point, so don’t wear anything that is dry clean only. And when you sit down with your paddle, don’t have it right at the edge of the table, those tables do shake and it will spill your tasters.
If you want to remember your beers, take a photo of your paddle with your chosen beers BEFORE the server fills up the taster cups and pops them in your paddle. That way when the beer spills and washes off your chalk marks, you know what you chose. (are you sensing a ‘beer spillage’ trend?)
Final thoughts
As we plan our travels for 2026, there's a possibility we might miss GABS next year. While this event has been a cherished fixture in our calendar, we're not certain we'll be heartbroken if we skip it. Perhaps taking a break will rekindle our excitement and make our return in 2027 even more special.
The recent challenges in the craft beer industry — marked by financial strains and reduced participation — have undeniably impacted the festival's atmosphere. However, it was heartening to meet many first-time attendees this year. Their fresh enthusiasm offers hope that a new wave of craft beer lovers will invigorate the scene. Here's to the resilience of the community and the anticipation of brighter brews ahead.
What do you think? Find us on Instagram to see more of our beer experiences.
