23rd December
Avenin Juice | Rocks Brewing Co.
Rocks Brewing Co. has announced a new release.
Avenin Juice (7.5% abv) is a double dry-hopped IPA brewed with Nectaron and Mosaic hops.
Find this online now.
Cherry Saison | Matilda Bay Brewery
Matilda Bay Brewery has released its Cherry Saison (6.7% abv).
Read more about this release here.
16th December
Mystic and Cucumber & Basil Sour | Bright Brewery
Bright Brewery has announced two new releases.
Bright’s summer seasonal release Mystic (9% abv) is a double dry hopped DIPA brewed with El Dorado, Citra, Eureka, and Mosaic Incognito hops, plus a dry hop of Strata, Azacca, Amarillo and Cryo Amarillo hops.
Elsewhere, the brewery has also released its Cucumber & Basil Sour (4% abv) which has an “aroma of cucumber blends with the subtle sweetness of Italian basil and a nice dash of salt for an easy drinking sour with a crisp finish,” according to the brewer’s notes.
Find these online now.
Ginger Beer | Moon Dog Craft Brewery
Moon Dog Craft Brewery has reformulated its Ginger Beer (4% abv),
“We know consumers are turning to low sugar alternatives and we wanted to create a product that still gives the full flavour of a ginger beer but still ticks all those boxes of being low sugar, low carb and made with all natural ingredients,” Moon Dog Flavourologist & Product Manager Chris Hysted-Adams said.
Moon Dog Ginger Beer will be stocked in Liquorland and First Choice stores Australia-wide, independent bottleshops, bars and pubs as well as its online store.
Mulberry and Lemon Myrtle Sour Ale | Helios Brewing Co.
Helios Brewing Co. has released its first sour into cans.
Mulberry and Lemon Myrtle Sour (3.8% abv) has notes of “mulberry and complex lemony eucalyptus notes thanks to generous addition of freshly harvested Lemon Myrtle,” according to the tasting notes.
“These flavours unite to create a unique yet sessionable sour with balanced acidity and unique complexity.”
Find this release online now.
Mango Session IPA | Jetty Road Brewery
Jetty Road Brewery has created a new beer for Beer Cartel’s Canvent Calendar.
The Mango Session IPA (5% abv) is dry hopped with Citra, El Dorado and Azacca hops, and is brewed with 300kgs of mango.
This is available online now.
Knife series | Alice Springs Brewing Co.
Alice Springs Brewing Co. has announced the release of its ‘Knife Series’ comprising of the That’s Not a Knife IPA (6.5% abv) & This is a Knife IIPA (8.5% abv).
Read more about this release here.
Multiple releases | Catchment Brewing Co.
Catchment Brewing Co. has announced multiple new releases.
Silly Saison (3.4% abv) and Oh Crumbs (6% abv) are two new Christmas releases available only on tap at both Catchment and Fortitude Brewing venues.
Elsewhere, Fortitude’s sub-brand Noisy Minor has released ANZUS IPA (6.5% abv) which is available in both keg and cans at both venues.
Velvet Fog & Flex | Range Brewing
Range Brewing has announced two new releases this week.
Velvet Fog (10.2% abv) is an Oat Cream TIPA dry-hopped with Citra, Sabro Cryo and 2022 Galaxy hops.
Flex (8.8% abv) is a double dry-hopped DIPA brewed with Citra LUPOMAX, Mosaic LUPOMAX, Citra, Peacharine, Nectaron, and Galaxy hops.
Find these releases online now.
9th December
Cardinal Lava & Laid Back Beat | Lost Palms Brewing Co
Lost Palms Brewing Co. has announced two new releases.
Made in collaboration with Seeker Brewing, Cardinal Lava (6% abv) is a Ffruited Smoothie Sour, while Laid Back Beat (4.4% abv) is a Watermelon Pineapple Sour.
Find these releases online now.
Core range freshen | Stone & Wood Brewing Co.
Stone & Wood Brewing Co. has updated the core range designs for its Green Coast Lager, Cloud Catcher and Crisp beers, which are available in venues and bottle shops now.
Multiple releases | Willie the Boatman
Willie the Boatman has announced multiple new releases including:
- Hazy IPA Hopstorm (6% abv)
- Double NEIPA Double Nectar of the Hops (8.8% abv)
- Chocolate Coffee Milk Stout Cappuccino Stout (5.8% abv)
- Trifle Sour People Be Triflin (6.2% abv)
These releases are available online now.
Burleigh Wild Flower | Burleigh Brewing
Burleigh Brewing has released Burleigh Wildflower (5.5% abv), in collaboration with Wildflower Gin.
This new release is available online.
Experiment 102 | Hop Nation
Made in collaboration with Bract Brewing Programme and NZ Hops, Hop Nation has created the Experiment 102 (6.5% abv) IPA. The flavours and aromas originate from the experimental New Zealand hop varietal – NZH102.
Find this online now.
Hazy XPA & Batch #1000 | Slipstream Brewing Co.
Slipstream Brewing Co. has announced multiple releases.
Hazy XPA (5.5% abv) is triple dry hopped with USA & NZ hops to bring aromas and flavours of tropical fruits, such as pineapple & passionfruit.
Batch #1000 (12% abv) is a Quadruple IPA brewed with Mosaic, Simcoe, Talus & Chinook hops.
These releases are available in limited quantities at the Slipstream brewery only.
Cherry Cola Sour & Barrel-Aged Choctail | Dainton Beer
Dainton Beer has released its Cherry Cola Sour (4.6% abv) and Bourbon & Maple Barrel-Aged Choctail (11.4% abv)
Find these online now.
2nd December
Peachy Keen | Ironbark Hill Brewing Co.
Ironbark Hill Brewing Co. has announced its Peachy Keen NEIPA (5.7% abv) to be released into cans on Tuesday, 6th December.
Inspired by the Peach Melba dessert, this release is brewed with peaches, raspberries and vanilla, Voyager Craft Malt and Australian and American hops from Hop Products Australia.
What’s In The Box? | Hop Nation Brewing Co. x Garage Project
Hop Nation Brewing Co. has collaborated with Garage Project on Hazy IPA, What’s In The Box? (7.4% abv).
Brewed with malted oats and wheat, this release was then hopped with Motueka, Citra Incognito, Citra Cryo, Nelson Sauvin and Vic Secret hops.
Find this online now.
Half Day Hazy | Heaps Normal
Non-alcoholic brand Heaps Normal released its third core range release, Half Day Hazy.
Read more about this release here.
Giddy Up | The Mill Brewery
The Mill Brewery has announced its latest release.
Giddy Up (8%) is a DIPA brewed with Citra Cryo, Simcoe and Nelson Sauvin hops and has flavours of grapefruit, mango and mandarin.
This beer will launch across wholesale from Monday, 5th December.
Imperial Japanese Lager | Heads of Noosa Brewing Co.
Heads of Noosa Brewing Co. has announced its next limited release.
The Imperial Japanese Lager (7.2% abv) has a “slightly bolder mouthfeel and more rounded in flavour yet dangerously easy drinking,” according to the brewer’s tasting notes.
Find this online now.
Jetty Jump Pale | Shelter Brewing Co.
Shelter Brewing Co. has released its first non-alcoholic beer, called Jetty Jump Pale.
Read more about this release here.
Crisp Lager | Wolf of the Willows
Wolf of the Willows has released Crisp Lager (4.2% abv), which is a “malt, natural brew with subtle citrus hop notes, and a light, dry profile,” according to the brewer.
Find this online now.
Peach Bellini | Catchment Brewing Co.
Catchment Brewing Co. has released Peach Bellini (6% abv), the latest addition to its Cocktail Series.
This release is available now only in cans.
Range Especial & Triple Disco | Range Brewing
Range Brewing has announced two new releases.
Range Especial (5% abv) is the brewery’s latest Mexican Lager, while Triple Disco (10.4% abv) is a triple IPA brewed with Citra Lupomax, Citra, Motueka and Pacifica hops.
Find these releases online now.
Following the popularity of previous Big Shed Brewing and FruChocs collaborations, the two brands are back to release their annual BruChocs beer, for a strictly limited time.
Inspired by recent crafty beer trends, this FruChocs Smoothie Sour is the perfect combination of creaminess from punchy apricots and peaches. The beer will be available from Friday, 9 December, from Big Shed’s Adelaide venue and selected independent retailers.
Big Shed Brewing owner, Craig Basford explained that,“after last year’s success with our FruSour we couldn’t wait to get back into creating a new flavour inspired by the smoothie sour hype.”
“It sounds weird, but the style brings the tartness of sour style beers and adds a whole lot of fruit puree to thicken and sweeten it. The resulting beer is unlike any that those outside the craft beer world would’ve tried.
“Expect a thick pouring liquid, absolutely bursting with Apricot and Peach goodness. It’s a party in your mouth and everyone’s invited!”
Menz CEO Phil Sims says FruChocs fans have loved welcoming BruChocs past creations and look forward to the new collaboration each year.
“We’ve loved partnering with Big Shed Brewing over the last few years and this years’ beer is really taking things to the next level.”
It’s the collaboration of two Iconic South Australian brands for the enjoyment of South Australians this summer.
“Finding a way to tap into trends in craft beer and incorporate our signature FruChocs flavours is always a fun challenge and I think the smoothie sour is one of the Big Shed team’s best results to date!” said Sims.
BruChocs sell out each year, so be sure to get in quick to experience the 2022 limited edition. The beer will be available at Big Shed Brewing’s Royal Park location or can be purchased online or through selected independent liquor stores.
This month, Heaps Normal’s third core-range beer – the Half Day Hazy – will land in pub, bar and restaurant fridges and on bottle shop shelves around Australia. The super drinkable brew is named in honour of ‘National Half Day Day’ – Heaps Normal’s inaugural national holiday initiative on the 9th December – which encourages Aussies to take the arvo off to celebrate the small wins of the year.
Heaps Normal’s Half Day Hazy pale ale is the independent Aussie brewer’s most ambitious non-alc beer yet – a full-flavoured non-alc hazy style beer with a tropical, ‘sunshine-in-a-can’ flavour profile and contains less than 0.5% ABV.
“The Hazy Pale Ale is a super drinkable, juicy beer, jam-packed with delicious hop flavour. It’s like an instant holiday in a can, and the most big-flavoured non-alc beer we’ve ever brewed. We’re so excited to put our feet up and pull a few of these from the esky this summer,” says Heaps Normal’s co-founder and Head of Product Ben Holdstock.
To celebrate National Half Day Day on 9th December, Heaps Normal is giving away over 5,000 tins of its new Half Day Hazy at 60+ participating venues around Australia, including at P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants (throughout Sydney), Icebergs (Bondi Beach, NSW), Lulie St Tavern (Abbotsford, VIC), The Eltham (Northern Rivers, NSW), Belle’s Hot Chicken (Sydney + Melbourne), The Alby (Canberra, ACT), The Triffed (Newstead, QLD), The Carrington (Surry Hills, NSW), The Warren View (Enmore, NSW) and The Ship Inn (Newcastle, NSW) .
“We all deserve an early knock-off sometimes so from here on out, we’re officially coining the 9th of December as ‘National Half Day Day’. Notify your manager and grab your work buddy or your best mates and celebrate the small wins of the year – you’ve earned it,” says Heaps Normal’s Head of Brand, Peter Brennan.
In the lead up to the release of the Half Day Hazy, Heaps Normal rallied 40 publicans, bartenders, hospitality workers and employees for a blind taste test, to see if they could accurately guess which of three beers – including the non-alcoholic Half Day Hazy, a full-strength Hazy-style beer from an independent Aussie brewer, and a mid-strength Hazy-style beer by an independent Aussie brewer – was non-alcoholic. More than half (55%) could not correctly identify which of the samples was non-alcoholic.
Holdstock says taking on a hazy style reflects Heaps Normal’s goal to challenge conventional thinking about what a non-alc beer can be.
“We want to brew non-alc versions of the beers we love drinking all the time. Hazy styles typically are lower in bitterness, and so they lend themselves beautifully to a wider range of beer drinkers looking for something flavour-driven but refreshing. By keeping our Hazy brew really hoppy, we’ve retained that really tasty, full-bodied mouth feel of a full-strength hazy style, without the downsides,” says Holdstock.
“This is one you can share with your oldies at Christmas… and watch their mouths drop when you tell them it’s non-alc.”
The Hazy Pale Ale adds to Heaps Normal’s existing stable of non-alc beers, which includes the brand’s premiere Quiet XPA brew, and Another Lager, which launched in early 2022. The release of the Hazy comes less than three months after the Quiet XPA was named World’s Best No & Low Alcohol Pale Ale by the prestigious World Beer Awards, and 2.5 years since the independent Australian beer brand launched.
Heaps Normal released its 0.5% ABV Quiet XPA in July 2020, quickly finding favour in the craft beer community and beyond for producing a great-tasting non-alcoholic beer. The brand’s products have gone on to be stocked by more than 4,000 venues and stockists around the country.
Over the past 15 years, alcohol consumption has decreased in Australia, from 10.8 litres per capita per year down to 9.4 litres, the lowest seen in 50 years. Similar trends have been seen globally. Despite this, the National Health Survey 2020-21 indicated one in four adults aged 18 years and over exceeded the Australian alcohol consumption guidelines, with men more likely than women to have exceeded the limits in the guidelines. Over a quarter of men were consuming more than 10 standard drinks a week.
