Beer & Brewer has rounded up the latest new releases to hit the shelves and taps in recent weeks, and some of the best-selling beers that align with drinking trends for 2025.
The latest from Urban Alley Brewery
Melbourne’s Urban Alley Brewery has unveiled two new releases in time for summer, Blackberry & Pepperberry Sour, a fruited sour ale brewed in partnership with Tasmanian distillery Dasher + Fisher, and Cerberus, a three-hopped IPA.
Brewed at 4.5 per cent ABV with Citra Lupomax hops, Blackberry & Pepperberry Sour has aromas of Pinot Gris and candied grapefruit, with distinct flavours of fresh blackberry reminiscent of Ribena.
Speaking about the collaboration, the team said: “It was only right to use the locally sourced twin berries of blackberry and pepperberry. Fermented with Belgian yeast and then refermented on blackberry, this purple pleasure is perfect for pouring.”
The second release by Urban Alley Brewery, Cerberus, was inspired by the early days of New Zealand IPAs and uses Cascade Cryo, Riwaka SubZero Hop Kief and a brand-new hop, Krush. The result is a medium-bitterness beer with aromas of papaya, yuzu and gummies and flavours of grapefruit zest and pine, sitting at 5.8 per cent ABV.
Beerfarm Hard Lemon is here
As the weather continues to heat up, citrus flavours are quickly gaining momentum, and Beerfarm is the latest brewery to release a thirst-quenching, Australian-made RTD, Hard Lemon.
Inspired by classic lemonade, the nostalgic release is brewed with gluten-free ingredients and fermented dry. Beerfarm adds Aussie lemon juice and natural sweetening before centrifuging and pasteurisation, resulting in naturally lower sugar levels than many RTD alternatives.
Hard Lemon has already been well-received since its launch and was Beerfarm’s second highest-selling product Froth Town Fest in Perth.
BentSpoke celebrates summer with Shifters Pale Lager
BentSpoke Brewing Co has welcomed summer with the launch of the newest release in its Drifter Series, Shifters Pale Lager.
Pouring clear with a bright golden hew, Shifters is a refreshing, balanced lager with light stone fruit aromas and a hint of malty sweetness, making it the perfect beverage for sunny days and barbecues.
The team at BentSpoke Brewing Co say: “Whether you’re wrapping up a hard day’s work or hanging with mates, Shifters is here to make every sip a moment to savour. So, grab a can, gather your crew, and let Shifters do the rest. Cheers to the good times ahead.”
The beer is available now, brewed at 4.4 per cent ABV and packaged in 375ml cans.
A drop in alcohol without a drop in flavour
In 2025, no- and low-alcohol is here to stay, with consumption of mid-strength and non-alcoholic products continuing on a strong growth trajectory. Accompanying its core range of full-strength beers, Hawkes Brewing Co offers a selection of full-flavour, lower-strength beers.
At just 1.75 per cent ABV, Hawke’s Half XPA is a full-flavoured, multi-award winning, low-alcohol pale ale that’s only half a standard drink per can. Featuring Citra and El Dorado hops, this easy-drinking beer has a subtle malt sweetness, aromas of mango and pineapple, and flavours of orange wrap.
Hawke’s Underdog Mid-Strength is equally big on flavour, with a sessionable ABV of 3.5 per cent. Crafted with just Amarillo hops, Underdog has a gentle sweet citrus on both the nose and palate, with a classic lager profile that results in a crisp, light malt finish.
Coopers provides for lager lovers with Coopers Australian Lager
With the lager style representing 85 per cent of beer volume sold in Australia, Coopers has delivered a premium, great-tasting lager to meet drinker demand across the country this summer and beyond.
Refreshing from first drop to last, Coopers Australian Lager is an authentic Australian lager that pairs well with a barbie on a sunny day. With a bright golden hue originating from Coopers’ own lager malt, the lager features stone fruit and citrus aromas, with a dash of late hopping adding subtle tropical notes.
Released in August 2023, Coopers Australian Lager quickly struck a chord with drinkers across Australia, driving a 1.5 per cent increase in total beer sales for Coopers Brewery in FY24, and the beer now takes its rightful place in the permanent portfolio of Australia’s largest independent brewery.