The Aussie brewing community has long been a breeding ground for creativity and innovation, with new styles and techniques being developed all the time. In recent years, this has been no different, with a number of breweries popping up across New South Wales and practically every one of them putting their own unique spin on things.

As a result, there are now more NSW beers than ever before to choose from – which can be both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, it means that there’s always something new and exciting to try. On the other hand, it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out which ones are worth your time and money.

What Are the Most Popular NSW Beers?

Of course, different people have different tastes, so what might be one person’s favourite beer could be another person’s least favourite. That said, there are definitely several brands of beer in NSW that seem to have stirred up more excitement than others in recent years.

Mountain Culture Festively Plump Red IPA

Starting off the taste test is Mountain Culture’s Festively Plump Red IPA. As the name suggests, this beer is a red IPA that’s been designed to be enjoyed during the festive season. It’s brewed with Australian galaxy and vic secret hops, as well as a number of different malts, which give it a complex and well-rounded flavour.

At 7.2% ABV, it’s a bit on the stronger side, but it’s still quite easy to drink. It’s also worth noting that, despite the name, it’s not actually all that plump – in fact, it’s pretty light and refreshing. It comes with all the classic IPA flavours and aromas, such as citrus, pine and grapefruit, but there’s also a nice malty sweetness that helps to balance things out.

Akasha The Rocket Pastry Stout

The pastry stout trend may have started in the US, but it’s quickly made its way over to Australia – and one of the most popular examples is Akasha’s The Rocket. The signature flavour in this beer comes from the chocolate malt which gives it a rich and creamy texture that’s reminiscent of a chocolate milkshake.

There are also hints of coffee, vanilla, and caramel, which all work together to create a delicious and moreish brew. With a 6.5% alcohol content, it has a bit more of a kick than your average stout, but it’s still relatively easy to drink. You won’t find any bitterness here – just lots of sweet, chocolatey goodness.

Willie the Boatman Albo Pale Ale

If you’re looking for something a little simpler and more straightforward on the list of brands of beer in NSW then Willie the Boatman’s Albo Pale Ale might be more up your alley. This drink been designed to appeal to ‘the everyman’ or, in other words, people who might not be all that familiar with craft beer.

It’s a pretty standard pale ale, with a nice balance of malt and hops. There are some subtle fruity notes in there too, which give it a bit of extra flavour. Its low alcohol content (4.4% ABV) means that it can be enjoyed all day long without making you too tipsy. All in all, it’s a solid choice if you’re looking for an easy-drinking beer that won’t overwhelm your taste buds.

Grifter Old Panther Black Lager

Lagers are often thought of as being pretty bland and boring, but Grifter’s Old Panther Black Lager is anything but. This beverage is meant to be a dark, rich, and intense experience, and it definitely delivers on that front. It’s brewed with a combination of roasted malts, which gives it its distinctive black colour.

You’ll also notice bits of chocolate, coffee and licorice in there. It’s a little on the sweeter side, but nothing too overbearing. And despite being a lager with a decent alcohol content of 5.5%, it doesn’t taste nearly as heavy as you might expect.

Hope Chocolate Milk Porter

If you like your beer dark and chocolatey, then you’ll definitely want to check out Hope’s Chocolate Milk Porter. The strong chocolate flavour comes from the specific malt that’s used in the brewing process, as well as some actual chocolate that’s added to the mix once fermentation is complete.

It’s a pretty sweet beer, but the chocolate flavour is well-balanced by the roasted malt, which gives it a bit of bitterness. It’s also got a nice creamy texture, thanks to the addition of lactose. The alcohol content rounds out at 6.5%, resulting in a drink that’s perfect for sipping on a cold winter’s night.

Hope Tropical Super Sour

If you want to feel like you’re on an exotic getaway, then Hope’s Tropical Super Sour is the beer for you. This beverage is incredibly tart, thanks to the addition of passionfruit, guava, and mango. It’s also got a fair bit of acidity, which helps to balance out the sweetness of the fruit.

Despite being a sour drink, it doesn’t feel overly puckering or aggressive. The low alcohol content (3.5% ABV) is another plus since you can enjoy the buzz of beer without drinking too much. And the beautiful can design is just the icing on the cake.