There’s nothing we love more than an ice-cold brew, and Australia has some sure fine draughts that we keep going back for. And when when it comes to craft beers, there are plenty of exceptional Aussie beers to take your pick. From the team at Sydney’s Young Henry’s to South Australia’s Prancing Pony Brewery and Western Australia’s Feral Brewing Co. — we’ve got the best of the best right here for you.
Hop Hog by Feral Brewing Co.
For any beer cicerone, Hop Hog is a must. Brewed by Feral Brewing Co. in Western Australia, this refreshing pale ale explodes with citrus flavours and hop aromas.
Phat Mongrel by Fox Hat Brewing Co.
Phat Mongrel is an oatmeal stout by Fox Hat Brewing Co. in McLaren Vale. One of our favourites, this beer has traditional chocolate and roasted malts which come to play with a shedload of piney American hops adding aroma, flavour and very little bitterness. Oatmeal ‘phattens’ the body of this stout, making the title very fitting.
Mosaic IPA by Pirate Life Brewing Co.
Pirate Life Brewing Co.’s latest brew, Mosaic IPA is a kaleidoscopic journey through tropical flavours. This pale ale from South Australia uses a simple malt bill and lets every deilocious flavour of the hops do the talking. It’s the beer equivalent of a fruit punch juice box.
Newtowner by Young Henry’s
Young Henry’s Newtowner wouldn’t be what it is today without the inspiration of Newtown. This Aussie pale ale is a tribute to Sydney’s Inner West community. A blend of English and Australian malts are combined with three varieties of hops, creating a fun, fruity, slightly bitter thirst quencher (a little like its namesake).
Paradox by La Sirène
Paradox from inner-city Melbourne brewery, La Sirène is a lively and lifted beer encompassing an in-house natural souring method. Aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple and green mango wrap your senses and the fresh aromatics from local hops emerge as white wine and melon characters in this pale ale. We’d recommend this beer for fans of white wine wanting to try a craft beer suited to their tastes.
India Red Ale by Prancing Pony Brewery
Prancing Pony Brewery in South Australia has created this India Red Ale that is dark and reddish brown in colour, and its firm creamy head leaves lots of fruit aromas on the nose. This red is crafted with dry hop aromoas coming through from citrus and tropical fruit hop varieties. This thoroughbred goes great with Asian and curry dishes and presents well if matched to blue cheeses and smoked meats, making it one of our go-to brews.
Sea Bass by Yulli’s Brews
James Harvey’s Yulli’s Brews has established itself as one of Sydney’s favourites – you’ve likely seen someone sporting one of his t-shirts around the city. Sea Bass is a Mediterranean lager and its pale straw colours presents subtle spicy and floral flavours from New Zealand’s Motueka hops, supported by Australian barley. This beer goes great with most feeds, but we love it salty cheeses and fried foods.
Illustrations by Jessica Bretherton.
