Schwartz Family Company taking over beer events group GABS with major overhaul planned

The buyout comes on the heels of an initial equity investment in GABS in 2023, which brought Schwartz Family Company’s (SFC) regional craft beer and wine festivals into the GABS’ partnership.

The move follows challenging conditions for the craft beer market, and particularly festivals, which have been hit with higher costs and lower consumer discretionary spending.

The takeover deal aims to leverage SFC’s growing presence in the craft beer market through its Sydney Brewery operations which produce more than one million litres of craft beer and cider annually.

SFC, Australia’s largest privately owned hotel group, also operates breweries and brewpubs in Surry Hills, Alexandria, Rozelle and the Hunter Valley in NSW. Among them is Sydney’s Rocks Brewing Company which SFC acquired from administrators earlier this year.

Following the takeover, Schwartz is planning a restructure of the GABS business which also operates the GABS Hottest 100 annual poll.

This will lead to former managing director and equity partner Mike Bray exiting GABS to focus on the Good Food & Wine Show.

The takeover will temporarily impact GABS three main city festivals in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane which have been placed on hold for 2026 as SFC undertakes a review of the events.

The company says it plans a “full reimagining of the festivals, with the aim of delivering stronger, more sustainable festivals from 2027 onwards”.

However, SFC says its long-running regional events in Canberra and the Hunter Valley are scheduled to continue as usual.

The GABS Hottest 100 annual poll, which over the past two decades has ranked Australia's top craft beers via people’s choice, will also remain in place for 2026.

“The craft beer landscape has never been more challenging, but we are confident that with fresh new ideas and the support and expertise of our extensive craft beer and hospitality network that GABS will remain the benchmark for craft beer promotion in Australia,” says Schwartz.

“We are in the process of informing all the brewers who had signed up for the 2026 events and will use the year ahead to develop a model for the GABS events that works for the companies involved and the craft brew lovers who attend these events.”

While SFC has “plenty of great plans”, Schwarz says the company will “listen and learn” from its festival partners.

“We plan to reassess the venues, timings of festivals, even the number of sessions, and possibly add cider and spirits to the events, so that we can grow the customer base and provide a memorable experience,” he says.

“The craft beer industry needs a serious rethink. So many breweries and venues have struggled in recent years, whereas we have the infrastructure and customer base to be successful.”

SFC notes that GABS has strong brand recognition among craft beer consumers.

“With new ideas and a fresh new approach we believe it can return bigger and stronger in the future,” says Schwarz.

“We have made it clear to the companies that have had a long involvement in GABS festivals that this is not a goodbye - it’s simply a pause.

“We fully expect GABS festivals to be back in 2027, and we truly appreciate all the hard work, passion, and commitment craft brewers have put into the event over the years.”

Schwarz highlights the importance of maintaining the GABS Hottest 100.

“It has been instrumental in elevating recognition of the craft beer industry and it will continue to shape the craft beer landscape in 2026,” he says.

The Schwartz Family Company was established in 1973 with its assets including Sydney Brewery, the Hunter Valley Conference & Events Centre and Blue Sky Airways. However, its key business comprises a network of hotels for the corporate and leisure market.

The company’s portfolio of 15 hotels in Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Canberra, Melbourne and the Gold Coast has a total of 4,300 rooms operated under brands such as Sofitel, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, Ibis, Rydges, and Hilton.