Media enquiries: Lara Paterson at Zilla & Brook Publicity and Production (03) 9690 7000 or 0421 621 633 or lara@zillaandbrook.com.au  

Media release 1st May 2015

The World’s Best Brewing Nations Flock to Good Beer Week A host of international brewers is making the trip to Melbourne this month for Australia’s most celebrated beer festival, Good Beer Week, kicking off in just two weeks from May 16 to 24. These international brewers, including first-time special guests from Belgium, the USA, UK and New Zealand, form part of a contingent of global guests coming to Victoria from far and wide. Brewers representing some of the world’s most iconic Belgian breweries, Boon, Palm and Rodenbach, will be hosting a series of spectacular events across Melbourne and Victoria. These include An Intimate Afternoon with Rodenbach: Masterbrewer Masterclass at Forester’s Beer and Music Hall (Sunday, May 17) featuring a special Q&A plus rare and never-before-seen beers matched with artisan Flemish-style treats. For something lighter on the wallet, Belgian Ale Stars (Tuesday, May 19) sees beers from all three breweries lined up at St Kilda’s The Local Taphouse for dinner, trivia and insight into their creation. Then there’s a five -course feast based around rare Rodenbach beers, A Message To You, and Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka (Wednesday, May 20). Japan is well represented with master brewers from Coedo, Hitachino Nest and Baird Brewing all making the trip across the Pacific. Zhou Zhou will host a masterclass with each of them, matching their delicious brews with Zhou Zhou’s signature handcrafted dumplings. Bryan Baird, the American brewer behind Baird, has a full dance card at Good Beer Week, making special guest appearances not only at Zhou Zhou but also at:

• Nieuw Amsterdam for A Fruity Affair (Thursday, May 21), where he will showcase his new Fruitful Life series alongside a beer making its Australian debut

• Blondie Bar for Blondie Baird Rising (Wednesday, May 20), with Bryan presenting four of his finest matched with dishes influenced by classic Japanese cuisine

• Ichi Ni to guide guests at Baird Beer Omakase (Tuesday, May 19), a five-course degustation exploring five styles of beer matched with classic Japanese flavours.

For a combined tasting of both the Belgium and Japanese brews be sure to check out Thirsty Thurston the Thirds Beer Dinner (Tuesday, May 19) at Mr & Mrs Howell in Brunswick. Seven beers of different styles and brewing techniques from around the globe, including Palm from Belgium and Coedo from Japan, provided by Heron Beverages, will be matched with a seven course degustation of international dishes inspired by each beer and designed by chef Mark Brozic. Other international brewers visiting our fair shores include Jester King (US), Evil Twin (US), Beavertown (UK), Camden Town Brewery (UK), 8 Wired (NZ) and Birra del Borgo (IT). Tickets are selling fast for Good Beer Week 2015, which includes 250 events at 180 venues in Melbourne and Victoria. The diverse program of events will unfold over nine days, with brewers from five continents coming together to share all things beer.

http://www.goodbeerweek.com.au/