Over the weekend, the iconic GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beer poll put the sword to the nation’s top brewers, naming the 100 best craft beers in Australia. In a surprise result, the Blue Mountains firmed as the nation’s premier craft beer spot with local brewery Mountain Culture Beer Co’s Status Quo Pale Ale voted Australia’s favourite Craft Beer of 2022. Gold Coast’s Balter XPA, a two-time winner in 2017-18, claimed second, while last year’s winner, Bentspoke’s Crankshaft American IPA rounded out the top three.

The new GABS Hottest 100 Champion of 2022, Status Quo Pale Ale arrives directly from the Blue Mountains’ first brewpub. Brewed by the husband and wife team, DJ & Harriet McCready, the juicy New England Pale Ale captured some serious attention from beer lovers, nabbing the top spot. The drop is designed for fans of hoppy flavours, with a decidedly more tropical finish than the brewery’s other releases.

Two-time previous champion, Balter Brewing was pipped at the post this year, but its iconic XPA still managed to score some major accolades. Legends Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Scott Hargrave’s fan favourite finished runner-up for the second successive year, courtesy of its tropical and floral aromatics, not to mention the fruity palette.

After taking out top place in 2021, Bentspoke finished third on this year’s list. The Crankshaft American IPA scored major points for its familiar West Coast IPA finish, however, there were some nice additions. The beer is revered for its floral nose, alongside bold notes of citrus and pine.

Despite firmly east-coast flavour, the battle between the states was a hotly contested one. Specifically, NSW set the bar at 28, followed by Queensland with 26. Victoria earned 18 places, Western Australia 11, ACT 9, and SA matching its efforts from last year with eight entries. Best of all, a record-equaling 58 breweries made the list this year. But while Hazy and Tropical dominated the list, the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer poll also ushered in a new era for non-alcoholic brews, with Heaps Normal’s Quiet XPA coming in at 33 in the rankings.

With the GABS Hottest 100 done and dusted for another year, the iconic festival has named its top picks. Palates at the ready, here is a list of the 100 best craft beers in Australia, according to you, the people who voted.

Best Selection of Pale Ale Beers