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Melbourne Bitter

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Melbourne Bitter is a full-strength lager first brewed in 1936 and, despite its name, not a bitter in the English sense. It opens with malty notes and a fruity aroma, carries a medium body and ends on the assertive, lingering bitterness of Pride of Ringwood hops. That finish is firmer and more robust than in most Australian lagers of its kind, with earthy, slightly resinous hop tones that stay on the palate after the malt sweetness has faded.

ABV
4.6%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Resinous hop bitterness
SRM
pale gold4
PaceSession

AWARDS

Gold · 2026
Australian International Beer Awards
Australian Style Lager
★Gold — Australian International Beer Awards (Australian Style Lager)
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltyearthyfruity
malty
earthy
fruity
hoppy
resinous
clean
Aroma
The nose leads with sweet grain and malt character, supported by a ripe fruity note that adds dimension.
also:bready
not found:juicy,caramel,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Melbourne Bitter

◎ Appearance

Deep gold in the glass, bright and clear with excellent translucency. A white, compact head settles to a fine collar with good lacing retention. Moderate carbonation evident in steady bead formation.

deep goldclearstable headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose leads with sweet grain and malt character, supported by a ripe fruity note that adds dimension. Pride of Ringwood hops contribute an earthy, slightly resinous backdrop without floral or perfumed qualities.

sweet maltstone fruitearthy hopsresinous undertone

◐ Taste

Malt sweetness dominates the entry, establishing a fuller body than typical Australian lager house styles. Mid-palate shows hop bite and resinous earthiness developing steadily, leading into a pronounced and lingering bitterness in the finish. Clean malt backbone supports the bitter arc without harshness.

malty entryassertive bitternessearthy hopsmedium-full body

◑ Finish

Bitterness persists long and deliberately through the aftertaste, with earthy and resinous notes remaining on the palate. The finish is dry and clean, leaving no sweetness behind.

lingering bitternessdry finishearthy aftertaste
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
76
Taste
79
Appearance
80
Finish
77
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Melbourne Bitter

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Melbourne Bitter

About Australian Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Australian Lager?

Australian Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Australian Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same bitter, malty, earthy character as Melbourne Bitter will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Australian Lagers in hopIQ

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