In Australia, beer is more than just a drink—it’s a badge of honor, a cultural statement, and, let’s be honest, a source of fiery state rivalries. From WA’s bush chooks to Victoria’s frothy VB, every state has its signature beer and a unique political attitude to go with it.
So grab a tinny (or a stubby, depending on where you’re from), and let’s dive into a no-holds-barred guide to beers by state—complete with the most over-the-top stereotypes we can muster.
New South Wales: Tooheys New and Tall Tales
Politics: Big fish in a big pond but loves playing the underdog.
Stereotype: The bloke who brags about surfing at Bondi but secretly lives in Parramatta.
Signature Beer: Tooheys New
- The quintessential NSW beer—straightforward, dependable, and pairs well with a pie at the footy.
- Much like the state itself, Tooheys New is stuck in an eternal battle to prove it’s better than Victoria, even when no one asked.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “Queenslanders can’t handle the cold.”
- “Victorians need to learn what real rugby is.”
Victoria: Victoria Bitter (VB), AKA Liquid Loyalty
Politics: Obsessed with being better than Sydney.
Stereotype: The footy fanatic in a North Face jacket who can argue about AFL for hours, even when no one else cares.
Signature Beer: VB
- Bitter? Absolutely. Victorian pride and VB go hand in hand—loyal, traditional, and unapologetically strong.
- It’s the beer that says, “I’ll drink this even if I hate it, because it’s OUR beer.”
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “New South Wales stole the Grand Prix, and we’re never getting over it.”
- “At least we know how to pronounce ‘beer,’ unlike Queenslanders and their ‘XXXX.’”
Queensland: XXXX Gold and Sunshine Swagger
Politics: Laid-back until someone mentions State of Origin.
Stereotype: Shirtless bloke with a sunburn who can drink you under the table and still wake up to go fishing at 5 a.m.
Signature Beer: XXXX Gold
- Queensland’s answer to hydration, XXXX Gold is light, mid-strength, and made for hot days and longer drinking sessions.
- No one knows why it’s called “XXXX,” but locals will insist it’s because Queenslanders don’t need fancy words to describe good beer.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “Too cold down south, mate.”
- “WA? That’s just Queensland with a timezone issue.”
Western Australia: Emu Export (Bush Chook) and Isolation Pride
Politics: “We’d leave Australia if it weren’t for the mining money.”
Stereotype: The ute-driving legend who claims they can fix anything with duct tape while sipping a Bush Chook in 40-degree heat.
Signature Beer: Emu Export
- Known affectionately as “Bush Chook,” this beer is a cultural icon for WA locals. It’s rugged, no-nonsense, and best enjoyed straight from the can on the back of a ute.
- WA’s motto: “If it’s not Emu Export, it’s probably overpriced.”
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “The east coast doesn’t even know we exist until they need our resources.”
- “Victorians would pass out after two chooks.”
South Australia: Coopers Pale Ale and Quiet Confidence
Politics: The understated sibling who gets on with the job while the others bicker.
Stereotype: The farmer in RM Williams boots who drinks Coopers and casually mentions they’ve been brewing beer since 1862.
Signature Beer: Coopers Pale Ale
- A craft beer before craft beer was cool, Coopers is as South Australian as the Barossa Valley. It’s proudly unfiltered, much like the locals.
- Drinking Coopers Pale is practically a rite of passage in SA.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “At least we’re not as loud as Queenslanders or as desperate as Victorians.”
- “Western Australia’s just South Australia with more mining.”
Tasmania: Cascade Lager and Wilderness Swagger
Politics: A quiet overachiever—small, but mighty.
Stereotype: A nature-loving hipster who brews kombucha but also knows how to shotgun a beer.
Signature Beer: Cascade Lager
- Brewed in Hobart, Cascade Lager is a crisp, clean beer that reflects Tasmania’s pure air and pristine water.
- It’s the beer of choice for locals who like to remind you that Tassie has the best produce, scenery, and beer in the country.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “We’ve got better beer than Queensland and colder weather than Victoria—come at us.”
- “NSW is just Tassie with a bigger ego.”
Northern Territory: NT Draught and Crocodile Charm
Politics: Wild and untamed—exactly how they like it.
Stereotype: The barefoot bloke at the bar who’s wrestled a croc and lived to tell the tale.
Signature Beer: NT Draught
- Sold in massive 2-liter “Darwin Stubby” bottles, NT Draught is for those who think a regular-sized beer just doesn’t cut it.
- It’s the ultimate outback beer—big, bold, and ready for adventure.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “You call that heat? Come to Darwin.”
- “Queenslanders think they’re tough, but we’ve got the crocs to prove them wrong.”
Australian Capital Territory: Imported Craft and Political Indecision
Politics: Drinks whatever Sydney or Melbourne is drinking but claims it’s better because they’re smarter.
Stereotype: The bureaucrat at a craft beer bar debating tax policy over a $15 IPA.
Signature Beer: Whatever’s Trendy
- The ACT doesn’t have a “signature” beer—it has a revolving menu of imported craft beers with names like “Hopocalypse Now” or “Dank Dynasty.”
- It’s not about loyalty here; it’s about showing off your superior taste.
What They’d Say About Other States:
- “We’re the capital, so technically, we own all of you.”
- “Victoria and NSW can argue all they want—we’re just here for the policy papers and the beer tastings.”
Final Thoughts: The Great Beer Divide
Australia’s beer culture isn’t just about what we drink; it’s about who we are. From the fiery rivalries between states to the good-natured banter over who brews it best, our beers tell the story of our nation in a frothy, hilarious way.
So next time you crack open a tinny—whether it’s a Bush Chook, a VB, or a Tooheys New—remember that you’re not just drinking a beer. You’re raising a glass to your state, its stereotypes, and the banter that makes us all proudly Aussie.
Cheers, ya bloody legends!
See Also: The Science Is Settled: Australia’s Best Beers Definitively Ranked
