Good beer gala launch

Tucked away near the back of the Good Beer Week official 2014 program is an event that appears to demonstrate just how much the craft beer scene is gathering momentum.

GBW_burchell_2014The event, titled ‘Frenzal Rhomb vs Young Henrys’, combines a veteran of the Australian punk rock scene with a rising star in the brewing world. While both hail from the Sydney suburb of Newtown, this pairing seems, at first glance, an odd mix.

Sure, Frenzal Rhomb once put out songs such as ‘Ship of Beers’ and ‘Let’s Drink a Beer’, but these tunes weren’t exactly highlighting the band’s appreciation of great hops.

“Everything I say seems to get me in trouble,

I only feel better when I’m seeing double.”

You get the drift. However, the times they are a-changin’, and Frenzal Rhomb and Young Henrys collaborating to deliver a new brew, combined with fast-paced music, is sure to be a cracking evening. It is also the exact type of event that demonstrates the unwavering aim of Good Beer Week, according to festival director, James Smith.

“It’s still an event that’s about making new beer and taking it to a new audience,” he said.

About to enter its fourth year, the annual brew extravaganza will feature a whopping 200 events spread across 160 venues from 17-25 May.

Among some other interesting finds are a scavenger hunt, a snooker shootout, board games sessions, comedy and even a Good Beer Workout. The famous Puffing Billy steam train gets in on the action, too.

GBW_Burchell_2014_2Smith said the festival was placing a strong emphasis on free events – more than 60 of them are on offer – and foodies can please their palates at a feast of venues where beer and food pairings is the focus.

What about if you’re just after the chance to drink and compare tasty beer? Thankfully, there’s plenty of opportunity to sample new and rare varieties and attend master classes, brewing courses and demonstrations, blind tastings and more.

The official program was launched on Wednesday night at the Good Beer Week Gala Showcase. Held at Village Melbourne’s Ormond Hall, the showcase featured a host of Victorian and interstate breweries.

And a quick glance around the room at the many young (or youngish) faces and the vibrant mood left just one question: where was Frenzal Rhomb?

For more information about Good Beer Week, head to goodbeerweek.com.au.

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