GABS 2016

Well, that was fun

A round-up of one of our best Saturday excursions ever – GABS 2016

After months of excitement and anticipation, GABS 2016 finally unfolded on Saturday and it didn't disappoint. Between the sensationally innovative brews, tasty ciders, fantastic entertainment and delicious food, it's quite difficult to choose our highlights, but we've given it a go.

The brews

We were expecting some good drops at GABS but we didn't expect them to be earth-shatteringly good like this. For $11, we grabbed a sampling "paddle" which we labelled with our desired brews to sample from the GABS guide. The choice was amazing – sour beers, creative ale infusions, rich stouts. We opted for a real mix – a delicious 8 Wired Brewing "Palate Trip" IPA, Deep Creek Brewing Co's "Green and Gold" gose, Doctor's Orders Brewing "Mutagenic Cephalopod" specialty beer, Parrotdog's "Barrel-Aged Dark Ale" oatmeal stout and Emerson's "Mexican Chocolate" porter. All of them different and all of them delicious. 

After our sampling we wandered through the Liquorland Market Place which was brimming with beautiful brews from New Zealand breweries – our favourites being Garage Project's Fabulous Fire Breather, a fiery spiced habanero and red pepper pilsner and Three Wise Birds Shaka Bra seaweed and honey-infused cider.

The food

Bao buns, Mexican street food, Japanese temaki wraps and Bratwurst hotdogs were just some of the delicious options on offer for when our tummies started to get a bit grumbly. We enjoyed a Judge Bao steamed bun, stuffed with coriander, tofu, oozy sauce and crunchy peanuts followed by a Brazilian creamy caramel dessert. 

The entertainment

After the beautiful food and brews we'd consumed, we didn't think there was any chance GABS could give us anything more to rave about. And then the performers arrived. Leaping acrobats and roaming brass bands made for surprises and amusement at every turn we took. It was hard to believe we were at the ASB Showgrounds with the extraordinary carnival unfolding around us. We felt a little bit shy for the Silent Disco, but others appeared to be right in the groove.

And it's not all over just yet

Although we'll probably be waiting another year for this splendid event to bless our shores, it's not all doom and gloom. You can still get your hands on a limited GABS 2016 variety pack and have a taste of GABS at home. Featuring six GABS brews, the variety pack will be available from selected Liquorland stores for a limited time only. The pack includes six extraordinary brews:

- Funk Estate "Jungle Brew Boogie" (soured fruit beer)

- Two Birds Brewing "Taco" (specialty ale)

- Mike's Beer "Loch 'n Lode" (Scottish Wee Heavy)

- Panhead Custom Ales "Weedeater" (IPA)

- 8 Wired Brewing "Palate Trip" (specialty IPA)

- Liberty Brewing "Alpha Obsidian" (specialty IPA)

Until next time, GABS!

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