While we're keeping our 2018 Beer Advent Calendar selection a secret, our 2017 selection should give you a pretty good idea to the kind of quality beers you can expect!

Black Brewing XPA

Image: @thecraftdispensary

XPA is a modern take on a pale ale originating in the US. The palate is somewhere between a pale ale and an Indian pale ale. Black Brewing XPA is focused on aroma hops. Apricot and guava fruit notes with lots of resinous pine.

Big, bold, hop forward.

Prancing Pony India Red Ale

Image: @hunterphoto

This ale is based on an ‘American Imperial Double Red Ale’ according to the British Ale Style Guide. With a dark red brownish colour, a firm creamy head and lots of fruity aromas on the nose, this ale has a big, malty body with late bitterness. The Red has been crafted with big dry hop aromas coming through from citrusy and tropical fruity hop varieties. With late lingering bitterness it is in perfect harmony with the fruity hop aromas. This Thoroughbred goes well with Asian and Curry dishes and presents well when matched to blue cheeses and smoked meats.

Crowned Supreme Champion Beer at the 2016 International Beer Challenge (IBC), London

@prancingponysa

Liefmans Kriek Brut

Image: @ajhiscoke

This classy beer represents the perfect marriage between the fresh accents and slightly acidic flavour of the black cherries. Liefmans Kriek-Brut is a mixed fermentation beer, with every hectolitre containing up to 13 kilos of fruit!

Liefmans Kriek-Brut is a perfect blend of Oud Bruin and Goudenband from different vintages, and can consist of between 15 and 20 different batches of beers. The beer is matured for 18 months, bringing out the very best of its intense flavour.

Liefmans Kriek-Brut is a deep reddish-brown colour, with a pale head and wood and almond notes. On the palette, you can clearly taste the slightly sweet, yet at the same time gently bitter fruit flavours. This is a beer that just oozes class

Rated 96 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/liefmans-kriek-brut/

Tuatara Mot Eureka Pilsner

Image: @squarecropped

The Brewers Beer Description:
Long ago in 2001, we had a eureka moment. We’re miles away down here, so why copy their beers? Using all local hops from the Motueka area, we perfected this 100% NZ Pilsner. Crisp, firm bodied with notes of citrus, it spawned a whole new style of beer, now proudly sent offshore to faraway places like Europe.

Mot Eureka was originally named Tuatara Bohemian Pilsner. When this beer style was introduced to New Zealand most beer lovers didn’t know what a Pilsner was or where it originated, so it was best to tell it to them straight. How times have changed! New Zealanders now arguabley have one of the most sophisticated beer palates in the world. We are also making some of the best beer and are proud to celebrate our Kiwi flavours and ingredients. Mot Eureka is now aptly named to do just that. We hope you continue to enjoy this brew, as always.

Taste: Crisp, firm bodied with notes of citrus and grass. Good hop bitterness and refreshingly dry finish.
Aroma: Light aroma of citrus and malt
Look: Golden straw colour
Hops: Pacific Jade, Motueka, Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin
Malt: NZ Lager
Alcohol (ABV): 5%
Bitterness (IBU): 44
Try With: Grilled salmon

Awards Won:
2016 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards- NZ Lager - Best in class
2016 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards- NZ Lager - Gold
2015 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards- NZ Lager - Silver
2014 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards - NZ Specific Styles – Bronze
2014 Australian International Beer Awards - Pilsner - Bronze
2013 Hong Kong International Beer Awards - Pilsner - Best in Class
2013 Hong Kong International Beer Awards - Ranked 2nd of 3,340 beers from 34 countries
2013 Australian International Beer Awards - 12 Bottle Case - Packaging - Major Trophy
2013 Brewers Guild of New Zealand Awards - Bronze

BrewDog 5 AM Saint Red Ale

Image: @stace_v

Brewers description:
5AM Saint is The Holy Grail of red ales.

We live in a world of disposable deities.Someone, somehow has managed to press that big, flashing moronic override button and we are hard wired straight into the pockets of false idols trying to make a quick buck.

Sadly, for a lot of people the same mentality applies to beer.

But who is to know what is worth worshiping when monolithic advertising budgets have you sucked down the rabbit hole in the blink of an eye?

At BrewDog we are on a mission to open as many peoples eyes as possible. Cast away any aspersions and let the crook of BrewDog be your guide in a whirlwind of conformity and mediocrity.

Once this ruby liquid forms a foamy halo around your glass, you will never want to look back.

Young Henrys Natural Lager

Image: @squarecropped

Brewers description:
Our Natural Lager is exactly what the name suggests. Four ingredients go in and this beer comes out. Just hops, malt, water and yeast we don’t even filter it.

Because of that, our version has a hazy golden appearance that makes it different from most other lagers. The three varieties of noble Australian hops we add give off a subtle citrus aroma and provide very light bitterness. With a gentle, dry finish the Natural Lager is an easy drinking beer that’s best enjoyed cold when the weather’s hot.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/young-henrys-natural-lager-330ml-bottle/

Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA

Image: @thebeerhunters

Torpedo is an assertive American IPA deep reddish-gold in colour, with a smooth and bready malt presence and over-the-top hop aromas. Torpedo Extra IPA is an aggressive yet balanced beer with massive hop aromas of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit.

Rated 98 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/sierra-nevada-torpe...

Exit Milk Stout

Image: @hoppyneko

Brewers description:
Sweet caramel, warm chocolate, and espresso on the nose. Big flavours of chocolate, milky goodness and coffee.

Karmeliet Tripel

Image: @hunterphoto

Brewers description:

First brewed 1996; claimed to be based on a recipe from 1679 which used wheat, oat and barley.

Tripel Karmeliet is a very refined and complex golden-to-bronze brew with a fantastic creamy head. These characteristics derive not only from the grains used but also from restrained hopping with Styrians and the fruity nature (banana and vanilla) of the house yeast. Aroma has hints of vanilla mixed with citrus aromas. Tripel Karmeliet has not only the lightness and freshness of wheat, but also the creaminess of oats together with a spicy lemony almost quinine dryness.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/tripel-karmeliet/

3 Ravens White Witbier

Image: The Beer Drinkers

Brewers description:
An exotic ale, based on traditional Belgian Witbier. Sweet barley malt is balanced with tart wheat and spiced with coriander and citrus peel, resulting in a rich, yet quenching brew.

Mornington Brown Ale

Image: @jimrusty65

Mornington Peninsula Brown is an English-style Brown Ale, at 5.0% ABV. Brewed using classic imported English ale malts, our Brown displays all the wonderful rich and toffee characters associated with these malts. Pouring a deep golden brown with hints of red, aromas of toffee, brown sugar and raisins greet the nose. The palate offers more toffee and raisins, with a supporting cast of chocolate and nuts. Rich, full-bodied, smooth and moreish.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/mornington-brown-ale-330ml-can/

Deschutes Pacific Wonderland Lager

Image: @hoppyneko

Brewers description: We’ve always believed the best way to respect tradition is to brew the unexpected. So when we set out to create a sessionable lager befitting of the Pacific Northwest, our sense of exploration led us to this dry-hopped wonder befitting of everyday adventure. Citrusy Tettnang Mandarina hops combine with the crisp, bright character of a traditional lager to deliver a beer that is truly refreshing, and undoubtedly worth sharing.

Lord Nelson Old Admiral

Image: @george_reay

This is one of two bottled beers brewed by the Lord Nelson Brewery. With a higher alcohol content than traditional beers at 6.1%, the Old Admiral Ale packs a bit of a punch.

This beer is brewed at the Lord Nelson Hotel - one of Sydney’s oldest pubs located in the Rocks. It is a true malt driven ale which has hints of caramel and generous hop bitterness.

Stockade The Sesh Golden Session Ale

Image: @jarrow89

Brewers description:
This vixen’s brewed with a generous selection of standout malts, sourced from around the world and paired with a killer Aussie hop variety: Vic Secret.

The malt complexity in this femme fatale gives her extra body and an unrivalled mouth feel. In the end, she"ll break you off, leaving you with a comfortable, dry finish.

Hawkers Pale Ale

Image: @good_beer_guys_sa

Brewers description:
A quintessential American style pale ale, hop forward and very balanced. This beer is a real thirst quencher.

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock

Image: @stace_v

Brewers description:
The Paulaner Salvator with its strong,typically malty taste is the original Paulaner. The bottom-fermented Doppelbock-Bier unites the finest hops and dark barley malt. The Paulaner monks served Salvator as a replacement for food at Lent. Their most famous brewer was Brother Barnabas, who was the head of the Paulaner monastery brewery starting from 1773. Its original recipe is today almost the same as it was in Barnabas’ time. In order to protect the original recipe, Paulaner had the trademark “Salvator” patented in 1896.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/paulaner-salvator-doppelbock/

Moa South Pacific IPA

Image: @outofthemiryclay

Brewers description:
Moa South Pacific I.P.A. is a New Zealand take on a popular North American beer style. Using famous Cascade and Nelson Sauvin hops, the dominant features in this beer are unique to New Zealand and the Moa bottle conditioned brewing method. Its hoppy strength displays powerful floral, citrus and tropical notes backed up with a strong malt backbone.

Mountain Goat Steam Ale

Image: @squarecropped

Brewers description:
Our certified organic Steam Ale is a brilliant brew for those seeking a sessionable beer that is crisp, fresh and full of character.

Steam beers were originally lagers brewed at the warmer ale temperatures, aiming to deliver the best of both worlds. We decided to do our own spin by fermenting an ale yeast cooler to arrive at the same place, but via a different route. The result is a crisp, seasonable beer, fresh and full of fruity and tropical characters.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/mountain-goat-steam-ale/

Feral Karma Citra India Black Ale

Image: @stace_v

Brewers description:
Feral Brewing have taken an IPA and sexed it up, just a little bit. Introducing the Karma Citra India Black Ale. American Citra hops are combined with dark malts to produce a smooth brew, with chocolate and toffee undertones, and a big tropical and citrus aroma. Rumour has it this may be the lovechild of Barry White and Kamahl… that’s how f-ing sexy this beer is.

Rated 98 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/feral-karma-citra/

Stone & Wood Garden Ale

Image: @hunterphoto

Brewers description:
Here at Stone & Wood we take a fresh approach to brewing handcrafted beer in Byron Bay, one of the greatest places on earth. And with the mornings getting lighter, the cicadas singing out every afternoon and the nights getting balmy, we’ve brewed our sessionable Garden Ale just in time for Summer.

Brewed with a blend of pale and crystal malts, and both kettle and dry hopped with Ella, a new world hop variety from the Australian hop gardens, our Garden Ale has a citrus fruit aromatic balanced with a clean malt character and an easy bitter finish.

It’s the perfect sessionable brew, best enjoyed in your favourite beer garden.
Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/stone-wood-garden-ale/

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale

Image: @adelaidebeerdude

Brewers description:
Our brewers wanted to make a beer that went down easy after a day out on the water. Big Wave Golden Ale is just the ticket. Big Wave is a lighter bodied golden ale with a tropical hop aroma and flavour - a smooth, easy drinking refreshing ale. The use of caramel malt contributes to the golden hue of this beer and our special blend of hops provides bright quenching finish.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/kona-big-wave-golden-ale-355ml-can/

4 Pines Kolsch

Image: @joshdenutte

Brewers description:
Light straw in colour. Aromas of lemon/lime prelude a light malty palate, finishing crisp and clean showing hints of spice and citrus.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/4-pines-kolsch/

Bridge Road Beechworth Pale Ale

Image: @jimrusty65

Brewers description:
This is a benchmark pale ale, created by Bridge Road Brewers. It is a pale ale dominated by an aromatic hop profile and has been considered by some as the yardstick from which the pale ale’s of other micro breweries are judged on - a calibrating pale ale so to speak.

The Beechworth Pale Ale is a based on the classic APA (American Pale Ale) and as a result is crisp and refreshing, providing a mouthful of aromatic hops. Beechworth Pale Ale is bound to satisfy hop heads and make a definite impression on those new to the craft beer scene. This pale ale is dry hopped with both U.S and N.Z hop varieties. Dry hopping is the process of adding hops after fermentation - it imparts more flavours and aroma to the beer but not more bitterness.

A great beer to accompany spicy or oily foods.

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/bridge-road-beechworth-pale-ale/

Nomad Rosie Hibiscus Berlinerweisse

Image: Beer Cartel

Brewers description:

With the Berlinner known as the “champagne beer style” we have given it a Nomad twist with the champagne and hibiscus theme, with the addition of native Hibiscus Rosella. With it's distinct Berliner sourness and tang. the Rosella adds a distinct rose colour and aroma to this beer, making it a perfect drink to raise the celebration of any event or occasion. 

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/nomad-rosies-hibiscu...

Kaiju Aftermath Double IPA

Image: Beer Cartel

Brewers description: 

KAIJU! Aftermath Double IPA was our first beer - it's an ultra-hopped 9.1% alcohol mind-blower that really lives up to its name with enough malt backbone to smooth out the assertive bitterness.

Moments after the demise of the DiatamaticHopzilla, our heroes tap the bitter mystery fuelling its fury.

Rated 98 out of 100 on Ratebeer.com

Available in store & online: https://www.beercartel.com.au/kaiju-aftermath-doub...

2018!

2018's Beer Advent Calendar is shaping up to be epic with 25 unique beers from 25 independent Australian breweries, seven of which are limited edition speciality brews available only in the Beer Cartel Advent Calendar, you can purchase one here.

This is the perfect sneaky little self present or would definitely put you in your friends and families good books!