2 days ago
What is the best new Aussie beer of the 21st century?
Foster's Lager was a staple in Australian pubs and homes for much of the 20th century, emblematic of our beer-loving culture.
At the same time, no one fit the mould of what it meant to be Aussie more than Paul Hogan - who was often seen Foster's in hand, promoting his latest film.
Fast forward to 2025, and Foster's has become a rarity on Australian shelves, its presence now replaced by a burgeoning craft beer movement and shifting beer-drinker preferences.
Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include.
Foster's remains a recognisable brand globally but its domestic presence seems near invisible - just like 'chucking a shrimp on the barbie'.
Emerging in its place? Enter the likes of summer and pale ales, hazy XPAs, and even double-fruited smoothie sours ... yes, a real thing.
Successful craft beer brands such as Stone & Wood and Balter, the latter co-founded by Aussie surfing royalty and shark attack survivor Mick Fanning, have increased their total share of the market to more than 20 per cent.
That's more than Foster's at its peak. But which new entrant is the best?
Little Creatures Pale Ale
Launched in 2000 by Howard Cearns, Nic Trimboli, and Phil Sexton in Fremantle, Little Creatures Pale Ale is seen by many as a pioneer in Australia's craft beer movement.
It's American-style pale ale, brewed with Cascade and Chinook hops, has been lauded as the product that introduced many Australians to hop-forward beer.
The brewery's name was inspired by the 'little creatures' of yeast that turn sugars into alcohol during the fermentation process.
Dave Padden of Akasha Brewing previously told The Daily Telegraph, 'Little Creatures... was my introduction to craft many moons ago and it's still considered one of the classics'.
Established in 2012 in Newtown in Sydney's hip Inner West, Young Henrys fast became a local favourite. Their flagship Newtowner Pale Ale is a tribute to the suburb's 150th anniversary.
The brewery was honoured as Vintage Cellars Brewery of the Year in 2019, with Newtowner consistently ranking in the top 5 of the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Awards from 2017 to 2019.
It has remained independently owned.
Earlier this year, facing potential relocation due to redevelopment plans at their brew site, co-founder Oscar McMahon told 'Young Henrys was born and bred in Newtown and we will do everything we can to always have a Newtown presence.'
4 Pines Pale Ale
Founded in 2008 in Manly, NSW, 4 Pines Brewing Co. quickly garnered attention with its American-style Pale Ale, known for its balance and drinkability.
In 2017, the brewery was fully acquired by the world's biggest beer company, Anheuser-Busch InBev.
Asahi absorbed 4 Pines in 2019 when it bought CUB.
Mountain Goat Beer, established in 1997 in Melbourne, played a pivotal role in Australia's craft beer scene. Their GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer, a 4.2 per cent ABV lager, was introduced and is described as a straightforward, sessionable option.
Asahi purchased Mountain Goat Beer in September 2015.
The Mountain Goat Beer founders have since departed.
Launched in 2015 in Adelaide, Pirate Life Brewing quickly made waves with its high hop profile beers.
In 2017, Pirate Life was quickly snapped up by AB InBev via CUB and is now under the Asahi umbrella.
The brewery describes South Coast Pale Ale as 'light-bodied, cruisy and brewed with the session in mind', capturing the essence of relaxed coastal living.
Feral Hop Hog
Founded in 2002 in Western Australia, Feral Brewing Co won over beer lovers with its Hop Hog, an American-style IPA.
The beer was lauded by James Smith, the founder of online craft beer publiction The Crafty Pint in The Guardian as 'near to the perfect beer as you will find'.
In 2017, Feral was acquired by Coca-Cola Amatil, but in 2024, it returned to independent ownership under Nail Brewing and Beerfarm.
John Stallwood of Nail Brewing is quoted by The Shout as saying, 'Feral is an iconic beer brand and Hop Hog has started many Australians on their journey to love craft beer'.
Balter XPA
Established in 2016 on the Gold Coast by surfing legends including Fanning and Joel Parkinson, Balter Brewing Company quickly topped craft beer charts with its XPA, known for its tropical hop character.
In 2019, Balter was acquired by Carlton & United Breweries.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the sale of Balter to CUB was worth between an eye-watering $150 million and $200 million. It too now forms part of the Asahi stable.
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale
Founded in 2008 in Byron Bay, Stone & Wood Brewing Co. introduced Pacific Ale, a beer that is an icon of the Australian craft beer movement.
Originally named Draught Ale, it was rebranded to Pacific Ale, featuring Galaxy hops for a tropical aroma.
Kirin now indirectly owns Stone & Wood through its ownership of Lion, which in 2021 acquired Fermentum, the previous, smaller-scale parent company of Stone & Wood and other brands like Two Birds, Fixation, and Forest for the Trees.
Co-founder Jamie Cook recalled the beer's rapid success to the Crafty Pint, stating that in the summer of 2011, just three years from opening doors, 'we didn't have remotely enough beer' to keep up with its roaring popularity.
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