Bob Katter launches lager with Cairns brewery, calling it ‘freedom in a can’

Federal MP Bob Katter shouted “yeehaw” as he proudly showed off his latest project, Patriot beer. So, what’s all the fuss about?

The can is decorated with the Australian flag and a portrait of Katter. Picture: Molly Frew

Arriving at a Cairns brewery on the back of a ute adorned with a cattle skull and horns, Federal MP Bob Katter shouted “yeehaw” as he proudly showed off his latest project, Patriot beer.

A crowd of people gathered on Friday afternoon at Copperlode Brewing to celebrate the launch of the lager alongside Katter, which was created in collaboration with the Edmonton brewery.

“Patriot isn’t just any beer,” Mr Katter said.

“It’s Australian-made, North Queensland-crafted, and brewed with the same passion and fire that built this country. You can taste the freedom in every sip.

There was a near-constant line of people at the bar eager to get their hands on the beverage. Picture: Molly Frew

“I’ve spent my life fighting for Australian industry, for local jobs, and for the people who make this country tick. Patriot beer is a celebration of that — a beer made by proud Australians, for proud Australians.”

Initially made in 2024 as a Christmas gift for Katter’s colleagues in Canberra, Copperlode chief executive and head brewer Morgan Hind said they decided to launch the beer due to significant public interest.

“There was a huge amount of interest online,” Mr Hind said.

“We had a bunch of people reaching out to us asking if they could actually buy the beer.

Mr Hind and Mr Katter. Picture: Molly Frew

“That’s when we decided that we’d actually launch it as a proper product here at the brewery.”

Mr Hind said the beer was quintessentially North Queensland.

“It it’s clean, it’s crisp, like a classic Australian, full strength lager.

“You can smash a few of them after you’ve been mowing the lawn in the Far North summer heat.”

Katter pours a schooner of Patriot for a customer. Picture: Molly Frew

Mr Katter said he chose Cairns to launch the beer because it was the “heartland” of North Queensland and his electorate, Kennedy.

“This is the heartland of Kennedy, southern Cairns, if you’ve got a centre of gravity it is the centre of gravity,” Mr Katter said.

“North Queensland is the heartland of Australia and it’s quite right that Patriot Beer should be launched here.”

Mr Katter said he was inspired by the history of the Queensland Labour movement in creating the beverage.

Will Kemp enjoys a Patriot beer. Picture: Molly Frew

Addressing the crowd, Mr Katter said, “Where was the Labour Movement founded when one in thirty of us were dying in the cane fields, and one in thirty down the mines?

“It was founded in the pubs, where we went and talked to each other and decided what should be happening in this country.

“That’s what (the working conditions) were like until we got in the pub and started talking to each other, saying this has got to stop.

“This is more than just a beer — it’s a tribute to hard work, blood, sweat and tears.”

The beer is available exclusively at Copperlode Brewing in Edmonton.

Originally published as Bob Katter launches lager with Cairns brewery, calling it ‘freedom in a can’