VICTORIA BITTER
Scottish & Newcastle
Australia, 4.8% ABV
The Aussies have got it all haven’t they? Beautiful beaches, cities and girls. Fantastic wine, food and weather. But, just like the beer in question, I’m not bitter. No, seriously, Victoria Bitter is not bitter – it is in fact a lager. As the label depicts and Australian etiquette (sic) dictates, everything must be shortened to a colloquialism. A barbeque is a ‘barbie’, a kangaroo becomes a ‘roo’ and so Victoria Bitter is known as ‘VB’. Many Aussies I know despise this beer as cheap, sugary, bulk-brewed blandness. Technically, they’re not far off the mark, the Aussie conglomerate Carlton & United Beverages, who also make Foster’s, haven’t used fresh hops in the brewing process for many years, preferring to use hop extract because it’s cheaper and quicker. No matter how it’s made, VB remains an Aussie mass market favourite. Because of its fresh, not-too-gassy taste that is yeasty and slightly sweet, it goes exceptionally well with burnt meat. Aussies will buy their VB for the barbie by the case or ‘slab’, as they say. Sold mainly in chunky fat bottles known as ‘stubbys’, they can be drunk quickly therefore your beer stays colder, especially when your bottle is insulated in a neoprene stubby holder. In the UK you’ll find VB stubbys being sold at pint prices in Aussie theme bars, but whether it’s called bitter or lager just give thanks that they don’t yet brew a Victoria Dark version or you could be heading to your mate’s barbie with a case of VD. GT
