Beers for Melbourne Cup

Spring has sprung and that means racing carnival fever has hit Australia.  The tracks are being prepped, dresses designed, suits pressed and fascinators make their mark in the annual fashion stakes.  Spring Racing is an amazing spectacle, and undoubtedly Melbourne Cup is the King of the scene with its rich history.  In so many ways it is the race that stops the nation!

As the track livens up, the punters stream though the gates at Flemington and racecourses across the nation, office sweeps sorted, race day lunches are served in our pubs, backyard bbq’s are fired up and let’s not forget the Flemington carpark picnics get underway the beers will be flowing.  So, what are the best beers for Melbourne Cup?  Well with the wealth of choice available now, here’s our pick of what you should be drinking come the first Tuesday in November.

Morts Gold – Bentspoke Brewing Co. Canberra, ACT

Mort’s Gold is a clean and crisp lager named in honour of Thomas Sutcliffe Mort, founder of Australia’s first gold mining company. It was in the top 10 of craft lagers in the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers Poll for 2017 and with only 30 IBU (that’s a measure of how bitter a beer is), makes Morts Gold a perfect thirst quencher for enjoying a day at the races.  And if this lager from Bentspoke takes your fancy and you’re keen to try more of their award winning beers, join us on our Canbeera Explorer and come explore our Nation’s beer scene.

Norman Australian Ale – Yullis Brews, Alexandria, NSW

Norman Australian Ale is an approachable session beer made from all local ingredients. A light malt base makes way for an abundance of hop character; showcasing vibrant citrus aromas and hints of apple and pear on the palate before finishing with a crisp, clean bitterness leaving you wanting more.  That’s all beer nerdery for a nicely balanced pale ale that will not knock you over with hops and will leave you wanting another before race 7 starts.  And once the races are done and you’re in the mood for more, check out Yulli’s and other Inner West breweries with us on a 3×3 Brewery Tour.

Gluten Free Pilsner – Hope Estate Brewing Co. Hunter Valley, NSW

This light and aromatic Pilsner uses classic Czech Saaz hops, freshened with new world Citra. Brewed with a combination of rice and sorrgum, resulting in a beer free from the gluten and a crackingly refreshing beer to enjoy whilst watching the big race on a big screen in wine country. The Hunter Valley is too great not to explore wider and further, so why not come on a beer adventure with us and enjoy spring in the Valley as you contemplate your next winner whilst on a Hop Hunter tour.

Sonic Prayer IPA – Modus Operandi Brewing Co. Mona Vale, NSW

An IPA for the hop heads out there. A healthy addition of new world hops matches the mix of malts that gives Sonic Prayer a rich body and mouthfeel that carries the 6% ABV all the way making this IPA a great match for practically anything you’re having for lunch on race day. But don’t stop there.  Home of some of the most awarded breweries in Sydney, the Northern Beaches is a hot bed of local beer and you can explore it all on our Northern Exposure tour.

WIT – Illawarra Brewing Co. Wollongong, NSW

A classically presented Belgian style wheat ‘Wit’ beer. The incredibly layered and complex spice aromas and flavours are noticeable throughout, with the typical white pepper, clove and banana characteristics. Dried and fresh orange peel, with the citrus characteristics of coriander seeds, give the ‘Wit’ a delicate though tart citrus finishing palate.  If it’s hot at the races, this is the beer to match.  As perfect for those warm, blue sky days at the track as it is for a day down the coast, come south with us for a day on our Sydney brewery tours and see how the WIT and the rest of the Illawarra Brewing Co. beers are made.

Nelson’s Blood – Lord Nelson Brewery and BrewPub, The Rocks, NSW

This beer is depth and decadence when you need more. Spring racing is all about warm weather and blue skies, but sometimes it’s not all sunshine, roses and winnings. So when it turns cold or you simply yearn for a deep, dark and roasty beer, then this dark ale is for you. Rich creamy with a smooth roasted finish. If you like Irish stouts you’ll love this.  Nelson’s Blood is a porter style beer with an aroma of roasted malt and coffee, maybe even a bit of char. Tastes like it smells, with some toasted almonds thrown into the mix and an absolute perfect beer to end our Rocks Pub Walk on.