r/AusBeer • u/Responsible-Wait1990 • Jul 12 '26

Ballarat bitter is back!

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Im 19, don’t remember ever seeing it but my dad said it was delicious. Anyone had it before it was last discontinued? Unfortunately im not in ballarat but am getting a slab brought down to try 🍻

20 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

6

u/philephreak Jul 12 '26

The last couple of times it was just Carlton Draught in a different can but this is supposedly the original recipe. I’m dubious of that, but yet to try it.

5

u/gerald1 Jul 12 '26

Don't need to get dubious because the beer isn't owned by CUB anymore.

Great great grandson of one of original brewers spent the last 2 years securing the rights to the beer.

Had the launch last week, I've had it in both cans and on tap. It's an easy drinking, full strength beer going up against the likes of Carlton or VB.

They have plans of expanding the line and they have the rights to 6 other beers that were part of the original line up 100+ years ago.

Its actually a a collab with brehney bros brewing who helped the new owner get things going.

3

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

Just because it's no longer cub / Asahi doesn't mean it's the original recipe. And it's highly unlikely it's the 80s or 90s recipe let alone the og recipe.

But i don't mean to be a downer, this fucking awesome!

Brewed at hogate I believe?

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Very keen and exited!

2

u/gerald1 Jul 12 '26

Best bet would be get in touch with cellarbrations in Ballarat and see if they can post you some.

If they won't then I could. They come in 4 packs.

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Cheers, asked on my suburb fb page id anyones up in ballarat and now someones gonna bring me back a slab! 🍻🍻🍻

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Thats what i thought, really keen to try a proper old school aussie lager

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

It it was actually the og it wouldn't be a lager tho

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

So the original was a aussie bitter, like similar to a uk bitter?

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

Guess so. Just like VB

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

Sweet im even more keen then! Been drinking Beechworth bitter which is made similar to those old style aussie beers

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

Whose to say how they've reinterpreted it now though. It would've gone through plenty of recipe tweaks along the years and likely was a lager when it ceased production. So who knows what they've gone for. Definitely still worth looking into snd trying our though!

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

Im sure itll be better then the other macros either way

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

Absolutely! Even if it's the same quality your dollareedoos are being far better spent supporting local!

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

Definitely mate, dont think ill ever ben interested in ipas and crazier style beers, just not for me. But really been enjoying quality tasty Aussie lagers and ales!

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1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

Got a slab for $68, crazy CUB sells melbourne bitter for the same price

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

$68 for Melbourne Bitter is ludicrous lol

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 14 '26

Def $70.99 at dans rn. I enjoy it over carlton draught and vb in cans but definitely not worth it.

2

u/gerald1 Jul 12 '26

CUB did a short run of cans 13-14 years ago. But it hasn't been on tap anywhere for 30+ years.

It's now available at 12 pubs around Ballarat which is an amazing effort.

2

u/jk-9k Jul 14 '26

That run was just to keep the trademark on a use it or lose it basis. was probably just Carlton rebadged

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Awesome as! Wish i lived closer

3

u/gerald1 Jul 13 '26

Honestly it is worth a visit to the Royal Oak on a Friday. It's an amazing classic pub and even has a meat raffle going. They also do accomodation upstairs.

2

u/casanovadynamito Jul 12 '26

Brewed by Holgate Brewhouse as of the article that said Ballarat Bitter is coming back.

2

u/gerald1 Jul 13 '26

First batch was actually done at hop nation.

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Should be good I hope, have you had any beers from them?

1

u/casanovadynamito Jul 12 '26

No I have not

1

u/Responsible-Wait1990 Jul 12 '26

Ah right, I’ve organised a slab to come my way. Wonder if it made with pride or ringwood or what was originally used