There are literally thousands of different beers to try across Australia. Almost every town and city in every state or territory has its own craft beer establishments that compete with commercial brews. Drinking beer is a national pastime in Australia. Watch any Australian movie – especially pre 2010 – you’ll find a scene in a pub with a hero shot of an icy cold beer.
Despite the craft beer industry booming, and new breweries popping up all over the country, it is the big boys of beer that dominated the top-selling beers in Australia for 2023.
XXXX Gold has been one of Australia's favourite beers for decades. You can’t travel far in Queensland without seeing the famous XXXX sign atop a pub or on a billboard. During State of Origin time, long-time sponsor, XXXX, is almost as famous as the infamous rivalry between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues. This mid-strength lager has an ABV of 4.4% and a crisp, clean taste. XXXX Gold is a great choice for those looking for a refreshing beer without all the extra calories.
Moving south to New South Wales, Tooheys New is another classic Australian beer. This full-strength lager has an ABV of 5.0% and a smooth, malty flavour. Tooheys New is a great choice for those looking for a full-flavored beer, which is easy to drink – especially on a summer day at a BBQ ort watching the cricket with a few mates.
Victoria Bitter from, you guessed it, Victoria, is an iconic Australian beer. It is full-bodied with an ABV of 4.9%. VB is a great choice for those looking for a classic beer with plenty of flavour.
Corona is the only international contender on the list. It continues to be one of the hottest sellers in Australia. This Mexican-style lager has an ABV of 4.6% and a light, crisp flavour. Corona is the perfect choice for those looking for a light beer with a hint of citrus.
Little Creatures is a pale ale with an ABV of 5.2%. It is brewed with Australian hops and has a hoppy aroma and flavour. Little Creatures started life as a craft beer in 2000, before being bought out by Japanese multinational, Kirin in 2013.
So, these were the top sellers in 2023, but that’s not the end of the story. Craft beers are popular now, but with so many to choose from, how could a novice stumble on the best of the best? Fear not, here at Clænsian, we can help with that as well as any associated hangovers brought on by working through this list.
Here is what Jimmy Russell from Luxury Escapes recommends to beer connoisseurs as they travel Australia.
Queensland: Balter Brewing Company.
Founded on the universal salute to finishing the day well (by drinking!), Balter Brewing Company is fast becoming one the country’s most popular boutique beer brands. Founded by 'six Aussies and a Yank’, with a trophy-winning brewer, the Currumbin-based brewery’s initial run of XPA was so popular, it sold out in its first weekend. Open Wednesday through Sunday, with A$5 tins and tacos with Zicatela every Thursday, regular ‘World Tinnie Hurling’ competitions (a sport the founders invented), exclusive beer samples and cool warehouse vibes, Balter Brewing Company is the ultimate afternoon haunt to get your tastebuds singing with pints of XPA, strong pale ale and IPA.
New South Wales: Young Henrys Brewery.
Like most good stories, Young Henrys started over a cold one in 2012. Since then, they’ve been pouring brews that are best served loud – with names like Rolling Stone, the Unifier, Motorcycle Oil, and Newtowner. Housed in a warehouse a few blocks from Enmore Road, Young Henrys knows how to show Newtown locals a good time with Brewers B-Side Series on tap and barmen boasting glorious beards. This rock ‘n’ roll attitude is worn proudly throughout the brewery, where electric guitars hang off the walls and old amplifiers blast classics, while international bands frequent the stools closest to the taps.
Australian Capital Territory: Capital Brewing Co.
If you had to cast your vote for a good beer in the Australian Capital Territory, the tinnies, paddles, and pints at Capital Brewing Co. would be it. Politics is a thirsty business, and you’ll find plenty of good-natured brews at this Fyshwick brewery – just a 10-minute drive outside Canberra’s CBD. Inspired by the San Diego craft beer scene, this small slice of Cali creates strong, hoppy beer styles that each tell a unique story of Canberra and its surroundings on their label. Take a swig of Hazed & Enthused pale ale, sip a Heart of Glass Belgian blond, and get your kicks with a pint of Ethereal Thrills imperial pilsner.
Victoria: Moon Dog World.
Is this the ultimate playground for beer lovers? Dubbed Moon Dog World, this tropical craft beer oasis is one of the most outrageous breweries in Australia. Built into an old warehouse in Preston, on a site that's longer end-to-end than the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the jungle-themed venue features 72 beer taps, a waterfall, lagoon, hidden tiki bar, retractable roof, 100 hectolitre brewery and much more. Something of an adult theme park, its large retro-styled neon entrance sign bathes the neighbourhood in pink and green as the sun sinks, beckoning locals in for a hard-earned beer.
Western Australia: Matso's Broome Brewery.
It is easy to overlook Western Australia when thinking of craft beer – but interestingly, the trend for tasty brews here began some three decades ago. In 1997, Matso’s Broome Brewery joined the party. Since opening in the tropical paradise of Broome, their frequently fruity and deliciously infused beers have reflected the ingredients and stunning natural landscape the Kimberley is famed for. Here, at the most remote brewery in Australia, a fresh ginger or mango beer goes down a treat, while for those who like it hot, a chilli beer is the perfect refreshment.
South Australia: Pirate Life Brewery.
Who needs rum when you can live your best pirate life at Port Adelaide’s Pirate Life Beer, an enormous craft brewery hidden within the historic Dalgety Woolstores. This vast 10,000 square-metre space has a 20-metre-long bar, where 24 taps pour picture-perfect pints of easy ale, OG stout, and mosaic single hop IPA. Outside the expansive courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy a tasting paddle (or two), while the OG Food Truck is on hand to combat hunger. On weekends, the Firepit is lit and sizzling with local, flame-grilled produce. This is what we call the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
Tasmania: Cascade Brewery.
Step inside Australia's oldest operating brewery at Cascade, nestled into the foothills of South Hobart, beneath Mount Wellington. Proudly local and fiercely passionate about all things Tassie, Cascade throws open the doors to its heritage beer garden seven days a week to serve visitors and locals a taste of the state's incredible food – and their wonderful beer, of course. The list of brewery-fresh beers on tap is extensive, delighting everyone from pale ale fans to stout enthusiasts. Grab a tasting paddle for a well-rounded experience and line your stomach with the Taste of Tassie plate, featuring smoked wallaby, pale ale-glazed ham, salmon rillettes, and more.
Northern Territory: Beaver Brewery.
Family-owned and deeply passionate about great beer, Beaver Brewery in Darwin promises fellow hops enthusiasts a genuine micro-brewery experience. After 10 years of 'beer research', the Brown family established Beaver Brewery in 2017, crafting handmade beer inspired by the Northern Territory's best and freshest ingredients. Maybe you'd like to try a Consultant, an American pale ale made with Australian hops? Or perhaps you'd prefer a taste of the Boofhead lager, named after the family's close friend and cousin. This is beer made with pure heart and a fantastic local experience in NT.
So, there you have it. Eight locations and 13 beers across Australia to get you started; and there are many, many more. When you visit any of these fine establishments, or if you book a luxury escape to see the wonders Australia has to offer, just mention that the team from Clænsian Hangover Remedy suggested you call in – and on that note…
…like all the beers mentioned here, Clænsian Hangover Remedy is a meticulously crafted. It is designed to combat the unpleasant effects of excessive drinking. Clænsian contains carefully selected ingredients, each serving a specific purpose in alleviating hangover symptoms. In fact, clinical studies indicate the ingredients in Clænsian Hangover Remedy effectively increase the metabolism of alcohol, thereby relieving the symptoms of a hangover and promoting the process of regaining sobriety. Kudzu Flower, Turmeric, Ginger, Siberian Ginseng, and essential B vitamins, including Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), and Pantothenic Acid (B5), work together to address the various symptoms of a hangover. Clænsian Hangover Remedy is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, produced and licensed in Australia, to meet the highest GMP quality standards for your safety and well-being. Try it. It just works.
Shop for Clænsian Hangover Remedy HERE.