Content published under the media release byline is promotional content produced by the business(es) named in the media release and remains unedited by Brews News

Now in its 15^th year, the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer people’s choice poll reveals the trends, brands and breweries shaping the local craft beer landscape with each voter set the very challenging task of selecting only their five favourite craft beers of the year.

Australia’s long love affair with quality beer seems as strong as ever, this year there were an incredible 311 breweries in the poll and a whopping 2,140 different beers attracted votes! This set new records, with over 60,000 registering to vote, showing how the popularity of craft beer continues to grow. Even our PM, Anthony Albanese, jumped on board to let everybody know what his favourite drop of the year was!

Mountain Culture Beer Co’s, Status Quo Pale Ale is the new GABS Hottest 100 Champion of 2022. Brewed by the husband and wife team, DJ & Harriet McCready, who embarked on a journey to open Blue Mountains’ first brew pub, this juicy New England Pale Ale captured #1 spot on the podium!

The silver and bronze places on the podium went to two breweries who are both two-time previous champions, Mick Fanning’s, Gold Coast’s Balter XPA and Canberra’s much loved Bentspoke Crankshaft IPA.

Stone & Wood’s Pacific Ale, Sunshine Coast’s Your Mates Larry, Better Beer’s Zero Carb, Sydney favourite  Young Henry’s Newtowner, Coopers Original Pale Ale, Bridge Roads Beechworth Pale Ale and Black Hops G.O.A.T rounded off the most closely contested TOP 10 in the history of the poll.

Election campaigning this year was incredible with all breweries embracing the spirit of the Hottest 100 as a true celebration of craft beer and producing some of the most highly entertaining and brilliantly creative content. Political promises were ripped off, new rock songs created, and great fun had by all as they courted their fan bases. Not surprisingly, beer lovers spread their votes across their personal taste palate which resulted in a record equaling 58 breweries being represented on the Hottest 100 list.

There were impressive performances too from many small independent breweries that keep our beer economy alive and employ so many young Australians.  In the battle between the states, the blues knocked the maroons off the top perch as NSW set the bar with 28  spots to QLD’s 26. VIC took 18, WA 11, ACT 9 and SA 8.

The day was celebrated with over 80 official countdown parties with people celebrating and sharing a common love for craft beer.”

A huge thank you to all our sponsors of the GABS Hottest 100, First Choice Liquor Market, Dan Murphy’s, Vintage Cellars, BWS, Liquorland, Big Commerce and Klaviyo.

First Choice Liquor Market are celebrating coming on board as the official platinum partner of the GABS Hottest 100 this year by offering $5 off any case of craft beer purchased in store or online until 29 January 2023. 

Coles Liquor General Manager of Customer and Loyalty, Mia Lloyd, said “We’re really proud to partner with GABS for the biggest day in beer. We understand the huge effort that goes into creating great-tasting craft beer and we want to congratulate all of this year’s finalists,” said Mia

Billy Ryan, Category Manager Customer Discovery at Endeavour Drink said “Dan Murphy’s has been a sponsor of GABs for many years and our partnership means we can get the best Craft Beers from around the country into the hands of customers looking to explore new styles and discover new breweries. Dan Murphy’s ranges 91 of the top 100 Beers awarded this year, and have the official GABs mixed pack of 24 awarded beers which we will be selling online, this is a great option for customers looking to get a taste of GABS”

GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2022

1. Mountain Culture, Status Quo, Hazy Pale Ale, NSW
2. Balter Brewing, Balter XPA, Pale Ale, QLD
3. BentSpoke Brewing Co, Crankshaft, American IPA, ACT
4. Stone & Wood Brewing Co, Pacific Ale, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
5. Your Mates Brewing Co, Larry, Australian Pale Ale, QLD
6. Better Beer, Better Beer Zero Carb, Australian Pilsner, NSW
7. Young Henrys, Newtowner, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
8. Coopers Brewery, Original Pale Ale, Australian Pale Ale, SA
9. Bridge Road Brewers, Beechworth Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, VIC
10. Black Hops Brewery, G.O.A.T., New England IPA, QLD
11. Gage Roads Brewing Co, Single Fin, Australian Pale Ale, WA
12. Capital Brewing Co, Capital XPA, Pale Ale, ACT
13. Pirate Life Brewing, South Coast Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, SA
14. Revel Brewing Co, Strawberries & Cream Sour Ale, Kettle Sour, QLD
15. Mountain Culture, Cult IPA, New England IPA, NSW
16. Brookvale Union, Ginger Beer, Ginger Beer, NSW
17. Philter Brewing, Philter XPA, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
18. Beerfarm, Royal Haze, Hazy IPA, WA
19. Balter Brewing, Hazy IPA, Hazy IPA, QLD
20. Black Hops Brewery, East Coast Haze, Hazy Pale Ale, QLD
21. Balter Brewing, Eazy Hazy, Hazy Pale Ale QLD
22. Little Creatures, Little Creatures Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, WA
23. Heads Of Noosa Brewing Co, Japanese Style Lager, Lager, QLD
24. BentSpoke Brewing Co, Barley Griffin, Australian Pale Ale, ACT
25. 4 Pines Brewing Co, 4 Pines Pacific Ale, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
26. Coopers Brewery, Sparkling Ale, Australian Pale Ale, SA
27. Hawke’s Brewing ,Hawke’s Patio Pale, American Pale Ale, NSW
28. Brick Lane Brewing Co, One Love Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, VIC
29. Grifter Brewing Co, Pale, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
30. Modus Brewing, Modus Cerveza, Lager, NSW
31. Mountain Goat Beer, GOAT Very Enjoyable Beer, Lager, VIC
32. Better Beer, Better Beer Ginger Beer, Ginger Beer, NSW
33. Heaps Normal, Quiet XPA, Pale Ale, ACT
34. Capital Brewing Co, Coast Ale, California Common, ACT
35. Blackflag Brewing, Rage Juicy Pale, Pale Ale, QLD
36. Mountain Culture, Be Kind Rewind, New England IPA, NSW
37. Matso’s Broome Brewery ,Matso’s Ginger Beer, Ginger Beer, WA
38. Your Mates Brewing Co, Tilly Ginger Beer, QLD
39. Coopers Brewery, Coopers XPA, American Pale Ale, SA
40. Balter Brewing, Bucket Full Of Nothin’, Hazy IIPA, QLD
41. CBCo Brewing, Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, VIC
42. Capital Brewing Co, Hang Loose Juice Blood Orange NEIPA, New England IPA, ACT
43. 10 Toes Brewery, Pipeline Pale, Australian Pale Ale, QLD
44. Balter Brewing, Captain Sensible, American Pale Ale, QLD
45. Ballistic Beer Co, Hawaiian Haze, Hazy Pale Ale, QLD
46. Bright Brewery, Alpine Lager, Lager, VIC
47. KAIJU! Beer, KAIJU! KRUSH, Australian Pale Ale, VIC
48. Grifter Brewing Co, Serpents Kiss, Fruit Beer, NSW
49. Feral Brewing Co, Biggie Juice, New England IPA, WA
50. White Rabbit, White Rabbit Dark Ale, Dark Ale, VIC
51. Big Shed Brewing Concern, Boozy Fruit ,New England IPA, SA
52. Green Beacon Brewing Co, Wayfarer Tropical Pale Ale, Australian Pale Ale, QLD
53. Range Brewing Co, Disco Hazy Pale Ale ,QLD
54. Stomping Ground Brewing Co, Gipps St Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, VIC
55. Young Henrys, Hazy Pale Ale, Hazy Pale Ale ,NSW
56. Willie The Boatman, Albo, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
57. Burleigh Brewing Co, Twisted Palm, Australian Pale Ale, QLD
58. Hawke’s Brewing, Hawke’s Lager, Australian Pilsner, NSW
59. Akasha Brewing Co, Super Chill, Australian Pale Ale ,NSW
60. Dainton Beer, Equalizer, Hazy Pale Ale, VIC
61. 4 Pines Brewing Co, 4 Pines Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, NSW
62. Kosciuszko Brewing Co ,Kosciuszko Pale Ale, American Pale Ale ,NSW
63. Black Hops Brewery, Black Hops Pale Ale, Australian Pale Ale, QLD
64. Brouhaha Brewery, Strawberry Rhubarb Sour, Kettle Sour, QLD
65. Moon Dog Craft Brewery, Old Mate American Pale Ale VIC
66. Blackman’s Brewery Juicy Banger Lager VIC
67. Capital Brewing Co Trail Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, ACT
68. Hop Nation Brewing Co, J-Juice, New England IPA, VIC
69. Blackflag Brewing, Astro Punk XPA, Pale Ale ,QLD
70. Gage Roads Brewing Co, Side Track All Day XPA, Pale Ale, WA
71. Your Mates Brewing Co, Sally American, IPA, QLD
72. Bodriggy Brewing Co, Speccy Juice Session, IPA, VIC
73. Burleigh Brewing Co, Bighead No-carb Lager, Lager, QLD
74. Coopers Brewery, Coopers Pacific Pale Ale ,Australian Pale Ale, SA
75. Eumundi Brewery, Eumundi Alcoholic Ginger Beer, Ginger Beer, QLD
76. Rocky Ridge Brewing Co, Jindong Juicy, Hazy Pale Ale, WA
77. Young Henrys, Natural Lager, Lager, NSW
78. Dainton Beer, Blood Orange NEIPA, New England IPA, VIC
79. Hop Nation Brewing Co, Rattenhund, Pilsner, VIC
80. Capital Brewing Co, Rock Hopper IPA, American IPA, ACT
81. Little Creatures, Pacific Ale, Australian Pale Ale, WA
82. Diablo Co, Diablo Ginger Beer, Ginger Beer, QLD
83. Stone & Wood Brewing Co, Cloud Catcher, Australian Pale Ale ,NSW
84. BentSpoke Brewing Co, Sprocket American, IPA, ACT
85. Gage Roads Brewing Co, Hazy As, Hazy Pale Ale, WA
86. Wayward Brewing Co, Raspberry Berliner Weisse, Berliner Weisse, NSW
87. Young Henrys, Motorcycle Oil, Porter ,NSW
88. Mismatch Brewing Co ,Session Ale, Session IPA, SA
89. Little Creatures, Rogers, Amber Ale, WA
90. One Drop Brewing Co, Double Vanilla Custard Pancake Imperial Nitro Thickshake IPA, Milkshake IPA, NSW
91. 4 Pines Brewing Co, Hazy Pale Ale, Hazy Pale Ale, NSW
92. Balter Brewing, Balter IPA, American IPA, QLD
93. Coopers Brewery, Best Extra Stout, Extra Stout, SA
94. Hawkers Beer, West Coast IPA, American IPA, VIC
95. Gage Roads Brewing Co, Pipe Dreams Coastal Lager, Australian Pilsner, WA
96. Range Brewing Co, Lights + Music, TIPA, QLD
97. Dainton Beer, Jungle Juice, Hazy IPA, VIC
98. Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel, Three Sheets, Australian Pale Ale, NSW
99. Bad Shepherd Brewing Co, Peanut Butter Porter, Porter, VIC
100. One Drop Brewing Co, We Jammin’, Sour, NSW