VB Xtra won’t be sold in the NT and loyal drinker Di Letchford is enraged

The new bewt VB brew will be sold all over Australia, except in the Northern Territory. Find out why.

Longtime VB drinker Di Letchford says she is disappointed to hear the latest super strength VB beer will not be coming to the Territory. Picture: Floss Adams.

It’s a decision affecting everyday Territorians and Di Letchford is not happy about it.

The controversial announcement that the latest edition of VB will be sold everywhere in Australia, except the NT, has loyal drinkers like Ms Letchford up in arms.

After national attention on the NT’s alcohol fuelled violence crisis, the Carlton & United Breweries confirmed its new beer, Victoria Bitter Xtra, will not make it to Territory watering holes.

“Given the present issues in the NT, CUB is not selling our new VB product in the NT,” a CUB spokesman said.

VX comes in 250ml stubbies that contain 1.2 standard drinks each with 6 per cent ABV, in comparison to 4.9 per cent for regular VB.

The notorious drink of choice for many Australians is known by a series of names, good and the bad, such as Vicious Bastard, Veebs, vitamin B or Very Best. Picture: Floss Adams

Sitting on the front deck of the Frontier Hotel with her regular pub crew and small plastic clip-lock container of pre-rolled cigarettes, originally from Victoria, Ms Letchford says being a VB drinker runs in her blood.

“It tastes delicious,” she said.

“I was excited when I saw it coming out and now it’s not coming to the NT.”

Ms Letchford said she was dubious about the brewer’s political move and its role in preventing ‘present issues’.

“(Issues regarding alcohol are) still going to be here regardless, whether they bring it (VX) or not,” she said.

In the meantime, the Darwin local says she will not be losing sleep over the decision and still continue to spin a few yarns at her local most days of the week while blowing some froth off a cold one.