THERE’S NO WAY around it, Australians love a good beer. In fact, data shows that per capita, Australians drink 75.1 litres of beer every year. That’s around 158 schooners each if every person in the country was having the same amount. But of course, we have to account for people under the age of 18, non-drinkers and those that have given it up, so the real average is likely to be a fair bit more than that.

The surprising thing is, though, most of the beers that Australians drink aren’t brewed by Australian-owned companies. Heavyweights like VB, Great Northern and Carlton Draught are owned by Japan-based Asahi. While Tooheys and XXXX are owned by another Japanese giant, Kirin. Even some of the smaller scale craft breweries like 4 Pines, Balter, Stone & Wood and James Squire are owned by foreign-based conglomerates.

Truly, Australia’s beer industry is primarily an overseas-owned game. There are exceptions to the rule, however. In a crowded market, there exists a select few brands who both brew good beer and are Australian owned – if you can believe it after the dressing down we just gave the industry.

Here, we explore eight of our favourite Australian-owned beer brands, any of which have the potential to become your go-to.

Travla

Founded by actor Travis Fimmel – he who stars in Vikings, Boy Swallows Universe, Warcraft – and a handful of his ‘farmboy mates’, Travla makes both mid- and full-strength, ultra-low carb Australian lager. Travla’s founders sought to create a beer inspired by hard-working country Australians and that’s exactly what they’ve done, from the taste and the packaging, right down to the fact that the beer is made entirely of Australian ingredients. Travla is refreshingly Australian-owned, and tastes just like the country it’s made in. And it’s even low-carb.

Better Beer

Better Beer was founded by tradies-turned-influencers Matt Ford and Jack Steele, otherwise known as The Inspired Unemployed. The pair looked at the average beer and wondered how it could be made better, before coming to the solution of removing all the bad stuff. The appropriately named Better Beer was promptly born, with zero carbs, zero sugar and low calories. The Better Beer range has something for everyone, with zero carb, alcoholic ginger beer, middy, arvo ale and zero alcohol varieties.

Young Henrys

Founded by an Aussie duo who felt the Australian brewing industry had started falling a little flat, Young Henrys makes beer that’s specifically catered to the Australian palette. Based out of a warehouse in the Sydney suburb of Newtown, the Young Henry’s range features a number of standouts, including a natural lager, IPA, extra pale ale, alcoholic ginger beer and what they call the ‘Newtowner’, all of which are worth a try.

Coopers

This isn’t exactly some niche brand you’ve never heard of, but Coopers makes good beer and they just so happen to be the largest Australian-owned beer brand. Founded way back in 1862, Coopers has been quenching Australia’s thirst for a long time with its famous pale and sparkling ales.

Hawke’s Brewing

Hawke’s Brewing makes a variety of solid beers, including full- and mid-strength lagers, a pale ale and an XPA, all of which have the face of a beloved former Prime Minister slapped across their cans. The brand was co-founded by Bob Hawke himself, and all royalties he earns from the use of his likeness are donated to Landcare Australia, which supports everything from reforesting areas damaged by bushfires to protecting endangered species.

The Grifter Brewing Co.

Based in Sydney’s inner-western suburb of Marrickville, Grifter was created in 2012 with “no other plan but to make good honest beers”. It has done exactly that, from adventurous fruity concoctions to the classics. Grifter remains proudly Australian-owned and independent.

Ballistic Beer Co.

Originally from Brisbane, Ballistic has grown to encompass five locations scattered throughout Queensland. Their beers have won a plethora of awards in national competitions and with an incredibly extensive range, there really is something for everyone. Pale ale, IPA, XPA, lager, stout, sour, ginger beer, even a limited-edition range – you name it, Ballistic has it.

Moon Dog

Moon Dog began as a small-scale brewery in the back streets of Abbotsford, Melbourne. Its founders originally sold their craft brews out the back of a n old Volvo station wagon, but have since expanded to a more permanent location in Preston and opened two pubs. The Moon Dog range features a wide variety of beverages, from traditional lagers and pale ales to the more adventurous tropical beer and hazy IPA. And if you’re not keen on any of that, they’re also the brewery behind Fizzer seltzers.

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