Qantas spits out VB and Crown Lager in favour of up-market brews like White Rabbit, James Boags

BEER fans are in for "lager shock" at 30,000 feet, with Qantas replacing traditional Aussie favourites with more up-market options.

Qantas is changing the beers it serves from traditional favourites such as VB and Crown L

BEER drinkers are in for "lager shock" at 30,000 feet: Qantas is replacing traditional Australian favourites with more up-market options.

Qantas has decided to ditch VB and Crown Lager in favour of craft beers such as White Rabbit, 150 Lashes and James Boags Premium on all domestic and international flights.

Passengers aboard the Flying Kangaroo, and in Qantas lounges around Australia and the world, will now be served boutique beers made at home and away.

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Qantas says the changes reflect the drinking habits of customers who are shunning old-school beers in favour of premium options.

Qantas customer strategy head Phil Capps said the recent changes had been popular among passengers.

"Many of our customers enjoy a cold beer in the lounge before their flight or with their meal on the way home," he said.

"We always want to keep up with what customers want, and they have told us they want more premium and more craft beers."

Frequent flyer Justin Winter backed the changes, suggesting they reflected a greater demand for premium craft beers.

"In my circle of mates no one is rocking up to a party with a slab of VB under their arm any more," he said.

"They are obviously changing to suit people's tastes."

Qantas quietly began pulling VB and Crown Lager from its flights in December and has reported a strong response from passengers supporting the introduction of James Boags Premium.

James Boags Premium is the most popular beer drunk in the Qantas Club at Melbourne Airport. Little Creatures is the top tipple in Perth; Coopers the beer drinker's choice in Adelaide; XXXX at Brisbane; and Hahn Super Dry in Sydney.

Popular foreign beers including Heineken, Kirin and Tsingtao will continue to be sold on certain Qantas services.

About 3.5 million beers are downed on Qantas flights and in lounges each year. The airline provides complimentary alcohol to all customers on international flights and on most afternoon and evening domestic services.

Qantas is the third biggest purchaser of beer and wine in Australia, behind Coles and Woolworths.

Wine remains the most popular alcoholic drink on Qantas flights.

IN:

James Boags Premium

150 Lashes

White Rabbit (First Class)

OUT:

VB

Crown Lager

Staying:

Heineken

Hahn Premium Light

Kirin (only on flights to and from Japan)

Tsingtao (only on flights to and from to China)