Make this season a hoppy one with these Australian made summer ales!
Ah summer, how we’ve missed you. After this wet winter, you’re no doubt looking forward to sipping a cold one in the summer sun with good friends and family. Whether you’re hosting an evening soiree at home, or a need some fridge stockers for a sizzling BBQ, there’s always a need for a great summer beer and cider. That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the best Australian made craft beers and ciders for summer 2023. Full of flavour and brimming with gusto, these summer ales and ciders reveal the beauty of this great southern land!
Image via Beer Cartel.
Garage Project Pineapple Crush Pineapple, Habanero & Agave Sour
Zesty pineapple sour, with a spicy chili kick. Garage Project has put out their latest soul ale with a super refreshing flavour profile. Blending ripe pineapple flavours, habanero heat and juicy agave into one of the most refreshing ciders to try this Australian summer!
Image via Beer Cartel.
Ocean Reach Brewing Great Ocean Rd Peach
Feel like you’re cruising down Great Ocean Road with this new, peach-infused hazy IPA by Ocean Reach Brewing. This fruity delight will make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, giving you the perfect mood booster you need for any occasion. With quirky artwork from local artists, this double dry hopped IPA makes any BBQ a special treat.
Image via Beer Cartel.
Sea Legs Brewing Cashmere DIPA
With the silky-smooth bitterness reminiscent of cashmere, the Sea Legs Cashmere DIPA is the perfect summer treat for any simmering day. With a lemon drop aroma and subtle coconut flavours, you’ll be feeling tropical no matter where you are. One of the newest Australian made craft beers, get your sea legs dry with this unique DIPA.
Image: Supplied
Big Drop Brewing Poolside Double IPA
It may be double dry and a bursting IPA, but this guy is totally alcohol free. Yet, despite the lack of alcohol, it’s very much on point with the IPA touch. Big Drop Brewing’s Poolside Double IPA is a double dry hopped IPA with tropical flavours and a strong hint of mango. Best served poolside, this delicious craft brew is a perfect option for those looking to enjoy a thirst-quenching beer without the next-day hangover. Summer really is ready for it!
Image via Beer Cartel
Green Beacon Windjammer IPA
According to Beer Cartel, Indian Pale Ales have two distinct characteristics: they are loaded with hoppy flavours and aromatics, and they can be bitterer than your usual brew thanks to the overload of hops. And that is exactly what you can expect from the Green Beacon Windjammer IPA. It’s sizzling with citrus and juices, swimming with grungy bitterness creating a little war between bitter and sweet on your palate.
Image via Boozebud
Nomad Budgy Smuggler Pale Ale
Tight-fitting budgie smugglers may be cringe-worthy for many, but the Nomad Budgy Smuggler Pale Ale is anything but! It is created through a collaboration between the Northern Beaches swimwear brand, Budgy Smuggler and Nomad Brewing, showcasing delicious native Australian flavours to the palate. This beast is bulging with fruit and citrus hops, ending on a crisp and clean finish to make it the perfect summer ale beer for 2023.
Image via Beer Cartel
Sydney Brewery Cherry Perry Pear Cider
Never had cider before? Well, pop your cherry with the Sydney Brewery Cherry Perry Pear Cider! It tastes exactly as it sounds, showcasing a 100% pear brew while offering touches of cherry juice to match. Pair your cider with good friends and a sweet meets savoury dish like honey soy chicken. Or, better yet, cherry cheesecake! Sydney Brewery’s Pear Cider is a bold drop that is sure to add conversational fuel to your next friendly gathering.
Image via Beer Cartel
Stone & Wood Counter Culture Bloom Springs New Age IPA
Regular IPAs, as we said before, are made to be an equal fight between bitter and sweet. But some variations swing around. The Stone & Wood Counter Culture Bloom Springs New Age IPA is clearer than your usual IPA. They are brewed to emit a bright glow, reflecting the summer sun, and matched with tropical notes that are balanced with a slightly reserved bitterness. And with it being in a 500mL can, you have no option but to take your time.
Image via Beer Cartel
Bloke In A Bar Lager
Great session beers are hard to come by. Not everyone wants a beer teeming with complex flavours or one that’s made in a very quirky way. Some of us just want a regular beer that tastes good and isn’t self centred. Well, please welcome the Bloke In A Bar Lager. It’s crisp on the palate, with the mildest hops, and is best swigged among your best mates. It is also founded by Denan Kemp, a former NRL player, making this beer good company with a game of friendly footy.
Image via Craft Cartel.
Capital Brewing Co Summit Session Ale
Capital Brewing Co is no stranger to great beer, having won plenty of national awards, which includes their Summit Session Ale which came at 93rd on the GABS Hottest 100 List. It’s an extra pale ale with a hazy melon-coloured hue. It is packed with tropical hop flavours and shares a refreshing bitter finish. It’s the kind of beer that you can have almost anywhere, anyhow, but it’s best shared with good mates in a groovy setting. Beach anyone?
Make the most of the season and good summer beer thanks to Australia’s 20 Best Beer Gardens of 2023. Switch up your palate this summer with the 10 Best Australian Made Wines for Summer 2022.
