The Lip - Warne has GABS in a spin
Long-time beer drinker Ross Lewis casts his eye over the kegs from here and abroad.
Catch up with other beers on The Sip Archive
Drinkers at the Great Australasian Beer Spectapular in Melbourne later this week might be in a spin before their lips even touch some of the brews on offer.
In a great promotional boost for the event, Australian cricket great Shane Warne will officially launch the latest edition of the unique three-day beer festival.
Warne does have a strong link to beer, and not just what he spilled on the pitch celebrating Test victories in the post-match celebrations.
The world's greatest leg-spinner has recently released craft beer 99 Not Out SKW Pale Ale - created in partnership with leading Kiwi brewers, Moa Brewing Company.
As well as pouring the first few pots of his beer at GABS, he'll be ringing the official bell, beginning proceedings at midday on Friday at the historical Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.
99 Not Out, his first foray into the craft beer market and a play on his infamous highest score in Test cricket produced against New Zealand in Perth in 2001, was released on the Australian market late last year and is now available nationwide at Dan Murphy’s and BWS.
This is the first time it is being showcased at a leading craft beer event in this way and it will be exposed to the 12,000 discerning craft beer enthusiasts who are expected to attend GABS.
GABS attracts leading craft beer brewers from Australia and internationally and will showcase as many as 250 beers (including 120 brand new creative one-off releases) from 130 breweries over three days.
Warne's 99 Not Out - a sessionable 'new world' style pale ale hopped with New Zealand kohatu and cascade hops - will be available at the Moa Brewing Company stand for the duration of the event.
