In 1768, Captain James Cook set sail from England on HMS Endeavour towards the uncharted seas of Terra Australis Incognita. Unlike Christopher Columbus, whose voyages were driven by trade ambitions, Cook's mission was scientific. He was on a scientific mission for the Royal Society, to observe the transit of Venus across the son. But his ship was laden not only with instruments for observing planetary bodies, but also several tonnes of beer. This cargo, intended to prevent scurvy and preserve drinking water, inadvertently marked the introduction of beer to Australia when Cook landed on the southern shores of what is now New South Wales.

Captain James Cook, the same James behind Australia's James Cook University was a British explorer who achieved the first recorded European contact with the eastern coastline of Australia.

However, beer was initially consumed by sailors and did not immediately capture the hearts of the early settlers. In fact, for a considerable time, rum reigned supreme as the preferred alcoholic drink, even serving as a semi-official currency. The excessive consumption of rum led to widespread drunkenness, affecting all segments of society, even underaged children! Demand for rum was so high it indirectly contributed to a military coup in 1808, known as the Rum Rebellion. In a bid to curb the rampant alcohol abuse, the early Australian government actively promoted beer as a healthier alternative to rum.

This shift in official stance, coupled with the growing demand for a less intoxicating beverage, spurred the development of the brewing industry in Australia. By 1828, Sydney boasted ten breweries, and regional breweries began to emerge. However, the nascent industry faced formidable challenges, including rudimentary brewing technology and the harsh Australian climate, which hindered large-scale production. Eventually, there was a resurgence in the brewing industry in latter half of the 19^th century, fuelled by the influx of freed convicts and new settlers. As towns and cities grew, breweries proliferated, and many communities of reasonable size could proudly claim multiple breweries within their borders.

Lieutenant James Cook's landing at Botany Bay on 29 April 1770.

While beer became popular in British Australia, in those early days, the brews were primarily based on traditional Irish and English ales – think hearty, malty, and robust. These classic ales, while delightful in cooler climes, weren't exactly a perfect match for the sweltering Australian heat. Imagine trying to enjoy a warm, heavy ale on a scorching summer day – not the most refreshing experience!

Enter lager, a German beer style began to shake things up Down Under. With its crisp, clean flavour profile and lower alcohol content, lager was a welcome change in the Aussie climate. But that's not all. Lager's real advantage stems from its production process, which used cooler fermentation temperatures and stricter control over microbes. This meant lager was less prone to spoilage in the heat, making it a more reliable and consistent brew for Aussie drinkers.

Seeing the success of imported lagers, a number of enterprising local brewers decided to move into making lagers themselves. This was a challenge, however. Australian climate is much hotter than Europe. This meant that brewers had to figure out how to maintain cooler temperatures necessary for fermenting lager. The Cohn Brothers’ Victoria Brewery in Bendigo, established in 1882, made history by successfully brewing lager using an ice machine imported all the way from Germany. It eventually became a part of Carlton and United Breweries in 1925.

We should also add that until the 1800s, early Australian beers missed an important ingredient: hops! These essential bittering agents were not readily available as it was difficult to cultivate them in the Australian climate. Importing hops was too expensive an option for many breweries. This is where our unlikely hero, James Squire – something of a Jean Valjean of Australia – enters the scene.

Originally born in England, Squire's story was an incredible rise from shame to fame. A Romani (just like the fictional Shelby family in the hit TV series Peaky Blinders), Squire led a life of crime in his youth and was reportedly got caught stealing a couple of chickens. He was given a draconian 7-year sentence and sent to the penal colony in Australia. This marked a turning point in his life. After Squire was freed, he became a passionate beer brewer. As he had prior experience in farming, Squire cracked the code and figured out a way to adapt the Australian soil, successfully growing hops in 1804. The Governor was so impressed with his achievement that he awarded Squire a cow in recognition of his hop-growing success. Squire later went on to become a respected businessman and community leader, even running a farm, brewery, bakery and butcher shop. And that’s the happy story of hops in Australia.

Fast forward to today, lager, unsurprisingly, reigns supreme as the most popular type of beer consumed in Australia, its crispness and refreshing qualities perfectly complementing the Australian heat and outdoor lifestyle. The modern Australian beer landscape, however, looks a little different.

While the pioneering spirit of early brewers still lingers in the names of brewers, the industry has seen significant consolidation over the years. Two major players, Lion-Nathan and Carlton & United Breweries, now dominate the market, controlling a vast majority of beer production, distribution and brands.

Although not the biggest brand, the Cascade Brewery is the oldest operating brewery in Australia, having been founded in 1824.

A few historic breweries have managed to weather the storms of time. Cascade Brewery in Tasmania, established in 1824, proudly holds the title of Australia's oldest continuously operating brewery, even as it is dwarfed by the big players. Other long-standing names that remain active include Coopers Brewery (1862), Carlton Brewery (1864), and Tooheys Brewery (1869).

Just a couple of culturally sensitive ads from the well-known brands.

And let's also not forget the iconic XXXX Beer (pronounced "Four-ex"), brewed by the Castlemaine Perkins brewery, which was founded in 1877 in Brisbane. In case you’re wondering, the name XXXX is a nod to the old-fashioned tradition of using X-es to indicate the strength of an ale.

More recently, the Australian beer scene has also evolved in response to the more health-conscious consumers, with the rise of lighter alternatives, including low-carb beers. One of the pioneers in this space was Charles ‘Chuck’ Hahn, who played a key role in creating the immensely popular Coors Light in the US in 1977. After moving to Australia in the 1980s, he founded Hahn Brewery, best known for its range of light beers such as Hahn Premium Light and Hahn Super Dry. Another notable low-carb beer brand, Pure Blonde, was introduced in 2004 by Carlton & United Breweries.

Today, whether you're raising a glass of classic lager, savouring a craft brew, or opting for a lighter alternative, the Australian beer industry pretty much offers something for everyone. From its humble beginnings on Captain Cook's ship to the thriving and diverse brewing scene of today, Australian beer continues to quench the thirst of the nation.

We now have with us a range of 7 most well-known beer brands from Australia. Let’s give them a taste!

XXXX Gold, 3.5% ABV (Lion-Nathan) – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: The aroma mirrors that of familiar Asian lagers, evoking Tsingtao or perhaps Sapporo with its crisp, clean character. Floral and citrusy notes intertwine nicely with a subtle hint of yeast, reminiscent of a classic rice lager.

Palate: Medium-bodied with a dense, frothy head. Opens on the tongue with inviting rice-like sweetness, lifted by a bright effervescence. A layer of lively yeastiness adds some complexity, along with a very distinct dryness and zinginess.

Finish: Yeastiness lingers pleasantly, accompanied by a gradual emergence of sweet malt that intertwines with growing barley notes. Evolves further to show more floral and hoppy notes before culminating in a prolonged, dry sensation that leaves the back of the throat tingling.

My Thoughts:

For a beer with such a dubious looking label (“XXXX” really?) the aroma was surprisingly enjoyable with a very nice evolution of flavors on the palate.

Here's a fun fact we learnt from the bottle cap – Akubra wide brims (Australian cowboy hats essentially) are made from rabbit pelts.

Colour me impressed! Despite its lower alcohol content, the pronounced dryness creates an illusion of greater strength, which seems intentional. This is a satisfying macro lager elevated by a pretty pleasant aftertaste where layers of hops, sweet malt and yeastiness intertwine.

My Rating: 7/10

Victoria Bitter, 4.9% ABV (Carlton & United Breweries) – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: Quite understated, presenting a very mild lager character. A clean, yeasty brightness intermingles with subtle citrus and floral notes.

Palate: Wow, this is actually quite pleasant. Wonderfully full-bodied mouthfeel, with a mild effervescence lending a nice pillowy texture. There’s a balanced sweetness from the malt harmonising with a subtle hop profile, gradually giving way to a light roasted malt character. Overall, this is clean with rich malt and citrus dominating the palate, complemented by a very mild hop bitterness.

Finish: Clean and bright, leaving a lingering hop aroma coupled with light floral notes and a touch of yeastiness. Touch of spice accompanied by a light coffee-like nuance. The mild hoppiness peaks towards the end.

My Thoughts:

This is a solid, easy-drinking but surprisingly full-flavoured lager. While the nose was very unassuming, the palate reveals a very rich malty brew with good depth of character thanks to the touch of roasted malt that elevates this brew above its peers of the same category.

This one's a piece of Australian cricketing fun fact.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Coopers Original Pale Ale, 4.5% ABV – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rather intense yeastiness and hoppiness dominate the aroma, accompanied by herbaceous notes reminiscent of parsley. Hints of apricot and a subtle, sweet oyster sauce-like scent along with a touch of hay that evokes a Maibock (strong malt German ale) character.

Palate: Pretty complex! Pronounced hoppiness gradually transitions into a mild sourness. Slightly mellower on the palate than the nose suggests, with a distinct citrusy character of tangerines and fresh pomelo pith bitterness. A touch of maltiness peeks through, complemented by depths of raw honey and cloves.

Finish: Pleasantly spiced, reminiscent of a witbier , alongside a lingering hop bitterness and a light roasted malt touch. The apricot notes from the nose makes a reappearance, intertwined with a subtle hint of teriyaki.

My Thoughts:

Wow, I wasn’t expecting a something labelled as an "Original Pale Ale" to be so complex and showcase such exotic European beer character.

This is a rich and complex brew with an unusual interplay of sweetness and spice that I think will be really appreciated by German beer enthusiasts and fans of Maibock beers. Don’t expect a straightforward, hop-forward American-style pale ale – if you are, keep an open mind because this is objectively good stuff.

My Rating: 7/10

Carlton Dry Beer, 4.5% ABV – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: A distinct rye bread aroma greets the senses, intertwined with a sweet, syrupy note and a bright ginjo sake-like yeastiness. A touch of sweet malt adds complexity, balanced by a light tartness reminiscent of raspberries. There’re also some subtle hints of honey and wheat underlying the bouquet.

Palate: The initial taste is surprisingly light and neutral, an interplay of mild honey, wheat, and raw rice. A gentle layer of effervescence is accompanied by a subtle hop and malt character, while a subtle nuttiness gradually emerges on the palate.

Finish: Here’s where the barley notes truly shine, revealing a delightful combo of cooked barley and barley sugar, along with comforting sweet rice pudding. The aromatic barley character lingers pleasantly, leaving a clean, lightly sweet sensation.

My Thoughts:

This is an easy-drinking light beer with a clean and enjoyable finish. It’s got some pretty nice nuances of rice lagers in the palate, but I particularly enjoy the depths of barley and raw rice notes in the aftertaste. It makes for a really refreshing lager in the afternoon, or something to pair with lighter Asian dishes like sushi.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Tooheys New Beer, 4.6% ABV (Lion-Nathan) – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: Pretty mild aroma, a delicate blend of sweet honey, wheat, and rice. A light saccharine sweetness rounds out the bouquet.

Palate: Straightforward but really crisp but rich too! Opens with a well-balanced combo of malt, roasted malt and citrus. It’s got a satisfying medium body with a moderate carbonation that adds a pleasant liveliness.

Finish: Quite a bit going on in the aftertaste. It’s got a delightful sweetness reminiscent of honey jelly, with a subtle hint of cocoa emerging in the background. Despite the initial sweetness, the back of the palate remains fairly dry.

My Thoughts:

This is a decent, straightforward Australian lager with a pleasant touch of roasted malt and an enjoyable jellied character in the aftertaste. While the nose and palate were milder than I expected, it rounds out the finish with a pretty nice range of complex flavours.

It isn’t a mind blowing, but it’s another refreshing summer beer that delivers an interesting aftertaste.

My Rating: 7/10

Pure Blonde Ultra Low Carb Lager, 4.2% ABV (Carlton & United Breweries) – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: A very subtle lager character greets the nose, with a clean citrusy aroma and just a light fresh hoppy note.

Palate: The body is noticeably lighter than other beers, with a very dominant dryness and effervescence. Slightly saccharine light sweet corn aromas with a distinct minerality of Evian Water that enhances the overall fresh taste. The hop aromas intensify towards the end of each sip.

Finish: Dry and lightly yeasty, with the dryness persisting pleasantly. The hop notes continue to play a role, accompanied by just a touch of malt.

My Thoughts:

Overall, Pure Blonde is a decent option for those seeking to reduce their calorie or carb intake, and I’d say it’s an above-average low carb beer. Despite its lightness, the minerality adds a welcome dimension that elevates the fresh tasting flavour profile.

The very light body seems to make the beer seem more bitter and hoppy than it actually is, which may result in a slight imbalance. However, there are no off-flavours.

My Rating: 5.5/10

Hahn Superdry Low Carb Beer, 4.6% ABV – Review

Tasting Notes

Nose: A mild and subtle hoppiness intertwines with a malty aroma, complemented by a corn-like sweet note.

Palate: The first sip presents a classic dry lager profile. The body is a little richer than the Pure Blonde but like the Pure Blonde rather dominant tanginess takes center stage alongside citrus and clean malt notes. A pleasant, clean yeastiness emerges and gradually intensifies, while a subtle hoppiness slowly develops alongside notes of more sweet citrus.

Finish: A pleasant barley aroma accompanies the zesty dryness that persists. Hop notes continue to linger for a considerable time.

My Thoughts:

Perhaps one of the best low-carb options out there! It drinks like a perfectly enjoyable commercial lager, and I don't need to be reminded that it's low-carb to want to reach for another.

It's easy to see why it's a popular choice for those watching their intake without wanting to sacrifice flavour. It's a straightforward brew with a well-placed dryness and a pleasing barley aroma that shines through on the finish. I’m also quite happy with the weight of the beer that doesn’t seem lacking.

My Rating: 6/10

Final Thoughts on Australian beers

After tasting through these iconic Australian beers, it’s clear to me that Australia has a really diverse range of styles and flavours within just the “entry range” beer category. It ranges from the classic macro lager styles we’re accustomed to, to surprisingly complex malty “bitters” and pale ales that exhibit a slightly more sophisticated European beer style.

For the classic Aussie lager experience, you can’t go wrong with either the well-rounded XXXX Gold or the slightly maltier Victoria Bitter. They’re refreshing and perfect for summer outdoor drinking occasions.

Those looking for something more complex should try the Coopers Original Pale Ale which proved to be the richest and most complex of the lot. It has an unexpected German Maibock beer style influence that took me by surprise in what’s labelled as a Pale Ale.

For those searching for something lighter, I’d say the low carb options are some of the best we’ve tasted (compared to low carb options from other countries). Hahn Superdry most impressed me with its fuller body and pleasant barley aroma on the finish – I’d go for it even if I wasn’t watching my carb or caloric intake.

@CharsiuCharlie