Five Aussie beers to drink this summer

Here are five domestic beers ideal for cracking after an innings of backyard cricket.

Moo Brew X Archie Rose Distillery, Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout, 10.8% ABV

Holy cow, this Moo imperial stout is a powerful beast. Aged by the same American oak barrels housing Archie Rose single malt whisky, there's a heady smack of rum and raisin making this perfect with Christmas pudding. Cellaring will bring the whisky notes forward and add another layer of complexity. An eyebrow-raising $24 for 330ml and worth it.

Best for gifting the beer lover in your life and hoping you're around when they open it.

Grifter Brewing Co. Pale Ale, 5% ABV

Behold! It's the winner of Good Food's Great Australian Tinnie Taste Test 2018! Perfectly balanced, crisp and light, The Grifter's Aussie-style pale ale is an all-rounder to see you through all of summer.

Best for any occasion, really, but particularly sitting under a tree after a hectic session of Grip Ball. Remember Grip Ball?

Bridge Road Brewers, Magical Christmas Unicorn, 7.3% ABV

Back in all good bottle shops for Christmas, this seasonal ice-cream ale out of Beechworth tastes so much like a boozy dollop of vanilla custard there might actually be magical witchcraft involved. Brewed with lactose and way more quaffable than the high-ish alcohol volume suggests.

Best for a hammock that's very hard to get out of.

Modus Operandi Brewing, Tropic Haze, 5% ABV

Although cans do a much better job than bottles of protecting beer from UV light, tins should still be kept cold and out of the sun at all times. Otherwise you'll have a spoiled beer on your hands that tastes like a cardboard sandwich. That would really be a shame with such a beaut unfiltered pale ale like this brew from Modus, just released nationally and singing with tropical fruit flavours.

Best for cracking ice-cold at the beach with chicken-salted chips.

Akasha Brewing Company, Tradewind Lager, 4.4% ABV

Nothing silly going on here. Just a clean, balanced lager for all those times you want a beer you don't have to think about too much. In other words, most of summer. Some passionfruit, a touch of bitterness and a lot of refreshment.

Best for sitting in front of the telly on Boxing Day with prawns, leftover ham and fresh white bread.