Most Popular Beverages in Australia and New Zealand You Can Try Today
Australia takes its beer seriously. Whether you’re at a barbecue, a footy match, or just kicking back at the pub, beer is the drink of choice for many. The local brewing scene is a mix of classic lagers, smooth pale ales, and hoppy craft brews, with some names standing as icons for generations. If you want a true taste of Australia, these are the beers you need to try.
1. Great Northern Brewing Co. Super Crisp Lager
If you’re in Australia or New Zealand, chances are you’ll come across a Great Northern at some Lukki point. Brewed in Queensland, this lager has exploded in popularity thanks to its ultra-refreshing taste and light body. It’s designed for warm-weather drinking – smooth, crisp, and easygoing with a slightly sweet malt profile. Great Northern is the beer you grab when you’re out on a boat, standing around the barbecue, or just need something cold to beat the heat.
2. Carlton Dry
Carlton Dry is another no-fuss Aussie staple. This beer is brewed for smoothness, with a clean, dry finish that makes it incredibly easy to drink. Its lower bitterness and subtle maltiness mean you can throw back a few without getting overwhelmed by heavy flavors. It’s a crowd-pleaser, perfect for those who want a straightforward, refreshing lager without any extra bells and whistles.
3. XXXX Gold
Pronounced “Four Ex,” XXXX Gold is a Queensland institution. This mid-strength lager is designed for long sessions – it’s light but still has enough character to keep things interesting. Expect mild malty sweetness, a gentle bitterness, and a crisp finish. If you want to drink like a Queenslander, this is your beer. It’s the go-to for anyone who wants a sessionable lager that won’t leave them wobbling after a few rounds.
4. Cooper’s Original Pale Ale
Coopers is Australia’s most famous independent brewery, and its pale ale features high on the list of beers popular with beer drinkers. As opposed to filtered lagers, Coopers Pale Ale is cloudy in its appearance due to its naturally conditioning in its bottle. The taste? A nice equilibrium of fruity esters, bready malt, and light hop bitterness. It’s the kind of beer that is worthy of he concentration directed at the flavour rather than throwing it down in three gulps. If you’re a fan of craft-style beers but you also want something readily available, Coopers would be an easy one to pick.
5. Victoria Bitter (VB)
One of the names that has been around forever is Victoria Bitter – or just “VB”. It’s not technically a bitter; it’s a full-strength lager with strong malt flavors and balanced bitter flavors. The advertising slogan, “For a hard-earned thirst”, puts it so aptly – this is the beer of tradies, footy fans, and whoever is just looking for some no-nonsense quenching at the end of the day.
6. Tooheys New
Tooheys New is NSW’s reply to VB, and it has much the same attributes. It’s a smooth and standard Aussie Lager with a crisp malt backbone and a small amount of bitterness. No frills – a straight-up beer that goes with pub fare and sports. If you are in Sydney, you will find it on tap in most of its pubs at every corner.
7. Hahn Super Dry
For the beer drinkers who are looking for something crisp, clean, and low on carbs, Hahn Super Dry is the choice. It’s made using an extended fermentation process to remove unnecessary sugars, and what’s left is a dry, smooth lager that is lightly hopped. However, if you are a fan of the lighter beers that will not compromise on the taste, this one is something to try.
8. Pure Blonde
Talking about low-carb beers, Pure Blonde has made quite a name for itself as one of the best low-carb beers. It is a light lager with a smooth malt sweetness and clean crisp finish. In contrast to other low-carb beers, which tend to taste watered down, Pure Blonde still manages to deliver the right taste while reducing unnecessary carbs and calories.
9. Asahi Super Dry
Fine, this one’s not even Australian, but Asahi Super Dry has become quite a following in this part of the world. Produced in Japan, it is a dry-type lager that goes perfectly with Australia’s predilection for crisp, refreshing brews. It has a subtle malt character, a smooth hop bitterness, and a dry finish that makes it lethally drinkable. For many Aussie beer lovers, it is a high-class option when they need something extra clean when they drink.
10. Mountain Culture ‘Status Quo’ Pale Ale
If you’re after something a bit more up-to-date and modern, Mountain Culture’s ‘Status Quo’ is one of Australia’s best beers. This hazy pale ale is full of tropical fruit flavors brought on by its abundant hopping. Descend on citrus, passion fruit, a small touch of pine – everything in equilibrium, smooth, juicy. It’s one of those beers that make you love the craft beer revolution, as Australia is no longer just lagers.