Melbourne Bitter

by Luke Heazlewood
(Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

Melbourne Bitter: don't underestimate it!

Melbourne Bitter: Is this the most underrated beer in Australia?

For years I looked down on this beer, I always thought of it as being the little brother of Victorian Bitter and therefore never gave it a chance. How I’m regretting that choice now.

Melbourne Bitter would truly have to be one of the most underrated beers on the Australian market. Don’t believe me? Well, type Melbourne Bitter into Facebook and you’ll find a group dedicated to that very fact.

(While you're at it, join the UNOB Facebook group! Ed.)

My first experience with this beer was at my local football club. A few months back when, after a heavy night of drinking, the only beverages on offer were that of Sprite and Melbourne Bitter.

Although cringing at the mere utterance of its name, I went with the Melbourne and took the plunge that so many had taken before me when in a dire situation. As I reluctantly downed the beer, to my surprise the taste was not all that bad and as I continued drinking I became more and more fond of its bitter and nutty taste, which seemed to go down the hatch with much more ease then any other bitter beer I had tried in the past.

From that night on I have found myself choosing Melbourne Bitter over some of my long-standing favourites and although it is not offered on tap at any bar in Melbourne, don’t let this deter you from heading down to your local bottle shop and giving it a go, it won’t disappoint.

Oh and did I mention that it’s one of the cheapest beers on offer? So it won’t hurt your hip pocket either. Yet another tick for Melbourne Bitter!