The inaugural Great Australian Beer SpecTAPular - St Kilda report and photos

We we knew it was going to be big...but not that big.

Miraculously and perhaps for the first time ever for a specTAPular, the doors opened on time at midday and in flooded 70 people, Myer Stocktake Sale style - who had been patiently waiting outside - some of them for over an hour. With this level of keenness, we knew we were in for a big day and it wasn't long before we filled up.

The buzz in the crowd about the opportunity to taste beers never previously available anywhere in the world was palpable. Most people quickly worked out that there was not a bad beer on the list and some of them were dangerously moreish.

It was great to see so many industry people here supporting the day. We had brewers/owners/staff/friends from Kooinda, True South, Stone and Wood, Otway, Red Hill, Hargreaves Hill, Mountain Goat, Little Creatures/White Rabbit, Thunder Road, Jamieson, McLaren Vale Beer, Matilda Bay, and probably more, as well as a heap of crew from beer loving venues like Josie Bones, Beer Deluxe, Cookie and Biero, and loads of other industry people - suppliers, distributors, and everyone else involved in craft beer in one way or another.



Easily the biggest SpecTAPular yet, this one had a friendly and festive vibe that lasted well into the night. Thanks to the huge effort put in by all the bar staff, managers, kitchen guys and security for making the day such a success.

Thanks also to all the punters who made the day such a success - from the nerdiest of beer nerds to those just out to sample something new and have some fun.

Thanks again to those breweries that we able to donate prizes to the raffle - total money raised TBA as soon as we've finished counting it!

Click below for the fantastic slideshow of the whole day/night. Thanks to Guy, James and Prof for the photos.