It’s not just wine drinkers who are seeking out lighter and lower-alcohol options. Beer drinkers are also increasingly reaching for styles that have less carbs, sugar and a lower ABV. It’s a trend that Melbourne brewery Brick Lane are well and truly on board with, recently adding a third zero-carb beer and a zero-sugar alcoholic ginger beer to its core range.
“We’ve found ourselves moving quite strongly into the ‘better for you’ space,” says marketing manager Hannah Buckland. “Our aim has always been to brew great quality, approachable beer, and we are brewing some great zero-carb beers.”
Brick Lane's zero-carb brews include the Hi-Fi Dry Zero Carb Japanese Lager, the Wild Sky Zero Carb Pale Ale, and, released late last year, the Frontier Zero Carb Crisp Lager. The first is bright and refreshing, with flavours of crisp red apple, a clean, short finish, and an ABV of 4.2 per cent. The latest has an even lower ABV (just 3.5 per cent) and has a light malt profile and a clean, firm bitterness.
Meteor, also released late last year, is a zero-sugar alcoholic ginger beer which is fresh, slightly sweet and packed with spicy ginger flavours.
If you’re new to Brick Lane and would rather start with one of its original brews, the One Love Pale Ale has been part of its core range since the early days. With flavours of citrus, stone fruit and passionfruit, bright hop aromas and low-to-moderate bitterness, it’s easy drinking and, at only 4.4 per cent ABV, sessionable too.
Brick Lane Brewing Co launched in Dandenong South in Melbourne’s southeast in 2018, with star brewer Jon Seltin in the hotseat and investment from some of sport, hospitality and entertainment’s biggest names, including Billy Slater, Eddie McGuire, Shane Delia and Mick Molloy. Impressive and ambitious even then, a $50 million expansion in 2022 increased the state-of-the-art facility’s annual production capacity to 20 million litres.
In 2022, Brick Lane also became the largest independent Australian brewer to attain B-Corp certification. The brewery’s sustainability practices include, among other things, a massive reduction in water usage, the elimination of plastic pallet wrapping from its supply chain, the diversion of over 99 per cent of solid waste from landfill, and the installation of solar and a deaerated water plant, which has reduced CO2 consumption by 95 per cent.
Learn more about these four featured beers, as well as suggested food pairings, below. Drink them ice cold, straight from the fridge or esky.
Hi-Fi Dry Zero Carb Japanese Lager
A lager that’s all about clean, crisp refreshment. Just 87 calories and brewed for ultimate drinkability, it’s perfect for anyone who loves a lighter, fresher take on beer. Drink it ice cold with fried chicken, a burger, or something spicy.
RRP $60 | Shop this lager
Frontier Zero Carb Crisp Lager
The ultimate mid-strength, zero-carb beer. Sessionable, with a clean finish and refreshing citrus hop aroma, it’s light, crisp, and brewed for all-day adventures. Drink it ice cold with grilled fish or, if you’re feeling fancy, crisp calamari or zesty ceviche.
RRP $51 | Shop this lager
Meteor Zero Sugar Ginger Beer
The zesty, refreshing kick you’ve been looking for, Meteor skips the sugar without skimping on flavour. Drink it with skewers straight off the charcoal grill, or saucy barbecued pork ribs.
RRP $85 | Shop this beer
One Love Pale Ale
A crowd-pleasing pale ale with a delicate haze, thanks to the addition of flaked wheat. It’s all about easy drinking, with a classic Australian flavour profile layered with stone fruit, passion fruit, and citrus. Drink it with fish and chips, or leek and cheddar croquettes.
RRP $72 | Shop this pale ale
For more information visit bricklanebrewing.com. Prices listed are for 24 cans. Use HALLIDAY10 at checkout for 10% off.
