Revealed: Queensland best breweries making Australia’s favourite beers
The votes have been counted and the public has decided on Australia’s best beers, with 24 Queensland-made brews topping the list.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The annual GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer People’s Choice list has been revealed, clearly identifying Queensland’s best breweries.
The public was asked to nominate their favourite frothy, and of the 1877 beers nominated from 436 Aussie craft breweries, Queensland had almost a quarter – a whopping 24 – in the top 100.
So which breweries beers are best? Here are the top 12 Queensland breweries from the list and the tipples that Australians loved best.
Balter
This Gold Coast-born favourite was the Sunshine State’s clear winner with its XPA, Easy Hazy, Hazy, Cerveza and Captain Sensible all finishing in the top 100. The XPA was voted the second best beer in Oz, finishing just behind Mountain Culture Brewing Co’s Status Quo New England pale ale from the Blue Mountains.
Your Mates
Coming in in second place with three entries in the list is Sunshine Coast brewery Your Mates. The operation, with brewpubs in Warana and Noosa, won over fans with its pale ale, Larry, voted No. 4 in Australia, while its IPA dubbed Sally took out 48th spot, and its lager, Macca, stole the final position in the 100.
Black Hops
This much-loved Gold Coast brewery, which has three venues across the coast and Brisbane, continues to impress drinkers with its G.O.A.T. hazy IPA taking No. 12 spot in the people’s choice. Its East Coast Haze also made the list at No. 71.
Range Brewing
Started by mates Gerard Martin, Matt McIver and Mitch Pickford in 2018, this Brisbane brewery continues to be a favourite with its out-of-the-box beers. Most loved by Australia this year was its Disco hazy pale ale, at No. 16, its Lights & Music – a Triple IPA brewed in collaboration with cult NZ icons Garage Project, which scored No. 56, and its Dripping In Green: Citra, which locked in No. 99.
10 Toes
This quiet achiever of the craft brewing world based on the Sunshine Coast walked away with No. 18 spot on the list for its Pipeline pale ale, which is noted for its tropical fruit flavour balanced by a clean malt profile.
Moffat Beach Brewing
Another Sunshine Coast brewery has been tickling tastebuds across the country, with Moffat’s Passenger pale ale (No. 25) and Moff’s Summer Ale session IPA (No. 95) both making the list. The latter was also recognised as the grand champion beer in the 2023 Royal QLD Beer Awards.
Blackflag Brewing
Another Sunny Coast brewery claiming two spots on the list was Blackflag. Its Rage juicy pale ale with a tropical base and mellow citrus flavour claimed No. 28, while its Affinity tropical pale ale was No. 82.
Heads of Noosa
The Japanese-style lager from this Noosa Heads brewery has become a huge hit at restaurants across Australia, and drinkers voted as much, with it taking No. 29 on the list. Its crisp and delicate flavour comes from Australian barley and rice, which is brewed, fermented and filtered.
Green Beacon
One of the stalwarts of Queensland’s brewing scene has lost none of its pulling power, with its iconic Wayfarer tropical pale ale claiming No. 31 on the list. It’s loved for its tropical aromas of lychee, melon and passion fruit.
Hiker Brewing
This low-key Brisbane brewery has caught the attention of beer drinkers across the country with its hazy IPA, Cloudscapes. Scoring No. 52 on the list, the beer is described as “sweet, pillowy and juicy, with a mild bitterness”.
Brouhaha Brewing
It’s arguably this Sunshine Coast brewery’s most talked about beer that made its way onto this year’s list – the strawberry rhubarb sour. At No. 84, this beer is loved for its sweet/sour contrast and easy drinking style.
Helios Brewing Co
Based in Brisbane’s Yeerongpilly, this brewery has won hearts with its experimental oat cream double IPA, Dionysus. It’s said to pump with hops and have explosive fruit salad flavour with citrus notes and a bitter finish.
More Coverage
Five on one: Man with head injuries after gang attack
A man has been taken to hospital with significant head injuries after he was attacked by five people at a park north of Brisbane.
Wahlberg leaves fans starstruck in split second encounter
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg has left two Gold Coast disability workers in disbelief. Read why.