An estimated two million plus Australians now identify as either vegetarian or vegan, with more and more people taking on the ethical lifestyle choice daily. Australia is now declared the third fastest growing vegan market in the world.
Image: yullisbrews
Obviously going vegan doesn’t have to limit the amount of delicious and naughty things one consumes; fantastic craft beer is definitely not off the table!
Considering the purest form of beer consist of just four ingredients; grain (usually barley), hops, yeast and water you’d think essentially all beer is vegan. There is even a Bavarian law dated as far back as 1516 which is still actively in force today - albeit slightly revised as yeast wasn’t even scientifically known about at the time - titled ‘Reinheitsgebot’, which stipulates that a beverage could only be considered beer if it contains barley (grain), hops, yeast, and water, nothing more.
But alas, beer isn’t always vegan, even if its only ingredients are the above four. Certain procedures in the brewing process may utilise animal products such as isinglass (fish bladder) and gelatine. Also, craft brews may contain honey, lactose or other animal products in them for flavour and/or texture purposes.
You can find out if a brewery, or beer, is vegan relatively easily online, or by contacting the brewery directly (as I did for a few on the list).
Here is a list of the best breweries, and their best beers, that are certified vegan (don’t use animal ingredients, additives, or processing agents).
BEST VEGAN CRAFT BEERS BY BREWERY
From Australia:
Image: piratelifebeer
Balter
Balter XPA
Crankshaft
Sprocket
Murray’s Craft Brewing Co.
Murray's Rudeboy Pilsner
Murray's Grand Cru
Murray's Dark Knight
Murray's Icon 2IPA
Murray's Whale Ale
Murray's Wild Thing Imperial Stout
Murray's Angry Man Pale Ale
Murray’s Angry Fred IPA NEW
Pirate Life Throwback IPA
Pirate Life Golden Ale
Pirate Life Hopco
Pirate Life IPA
Pirate Life Stout
Pirate Life Pale Ale
Pirate Life IIPA
Pirate Life Mosaic
Red Nut
Mort's Gold
Stone & Wood
Pacific Ale
Green Coast Lager
Jasper Ale
Garden Ale
Stone Beer
Two Birds
Sunset Ale
Taco
Young Henry’s
Cloudy Cider
Hop Ale
Real Ale
Natural Lager
Newtowner Pale Ale
Yullis’s
Amanda Mandarin IPA
Fat Nerd Vanilla Porter
Betoota Bitter
Hans Gropo Farmhouse Quencher
Norman
Yulli's Charles Tan Hefeweizen & Chuck Black Bunya Nut Porter (Black & Tan Twin Pack)
Cocky Laura West Coast IPA
Seabass Mediterranean Larger
Slick Ricks Rampaging Red Ale
From Overseas:
Image: sierranevada
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout
Boont Amber Ale
Brother David’s Double
Hop Ottin’ IPA
Brewdog:
Tokyo
Cocoa Psycho
Jack Hammer IPA
Hardcore IPA
5AM Saint
Punk IPA
Nanny State
Elvis Juice
Dead Pony Pale Ale
5 A.M. Red Ale
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Bigfoot Barleywine Style Ale
Celebration Ale
Summerfest
All of the beers listed above are available here at Beer Cartel and can be delivered right to your door.