The Best Beers From the Southern Hemisphere

Many will agree that there’s nothing like the satisfying experience of your favorite cold beer after a hard day’s work. The ancient Egyptians were the ones to hone and perfect the fermentation process, which has led to millions of cans and bottles of beer being consumed by beer lovers around the world.  

But if you’re curious about what’s brewing in the warmer part of the globe, you need look no further than today’s article. So sit back, tuck into a cold one, and get ready to discover some of the best beers in the southern hemisphere.

Cerveza Austral Calafate – Chile

Directly from what is called the ‘southernmost brewery in the world’, Cerveza Austral Calafate is an ale named after the calafate fruit, which grows only in Patagonia. Dark amber in colour, one sip delivers the well-balanced sweetness and bitterness of the calafate. Those wishing to enjoy this brew with meals will find it pairs best with intense cheese, lasagna and other baked pastas, as well as sweet and sour dishes.

Calafate is one of five beers brewed by Austral, and one of two to win at Chile’s World Beer Awards. One World Beer Awards taster commented that Austral’s flavor had a toasted caramel and toffee flavor.

Vonu Pure Lager – Fiji

Pure tropical rainwater is used to brew Vonu, which is named after vonu dina, the green turtle. This crisp craft lager, with its dark golden color, has a thicker feel and sweet aftertaste, both of which are popular with Vonu drinkers. 

If drinking Vonu in the winter, it can be paired with French onion or butternut squash soup, as a contrast to the former, and a complement to the latter. If you’re drinking it in the summer, Vonu is very easy to enjoy all on its own.

Produced by Paradise Beverages in Suva, this beer is the only one that is brewed in Fiji. Vonu fans appreciate not only its drinkable, refreshing quality but also its support for turtle conservation through the Mamanuca Environment Society.

Cuca – Angola

Brewed in Angola since 1947, Cuca’s slightly dry and malty cereal flavor is so much of a smash with residents that it is Angola’s national beer. This pale lager also has notes of maize and apple, which drinkers consider to be pleasant complements.

Consider pairing Cuca with chili and other spicier dishes, sushi, and chicken dishes with herbs for the best experience. You can also enjoy its refreshing flavor with rich-tasting and very light foods. Brewed by Companhia União de Cervejas de Angola, Cuca is enjoyed by fans in the United States, Zambia, Namibia, Mozambique, Portugal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Monteith’s West Coastin’ Hazy IPA – New Zealand

Just like the top casinos featured on bonus.net.nz, the best beers are favorites among Kiwis nationwide. And just how much do New Zealanders love their beer? Enough to protest a brewery’s closing and have it reopen just four days after! That’s largely because the roots of the brewery in question—Monteith’s—go back to 1868. 

With a pillowy feel and the flavor of juicy fruit, West Coastin’ is ideal for cocktail hour. This IPA is a great accompaniment to steak, burgers, Mexican dishes, and Thai green curry. Because it’s also a palate cleanser, West Coastin’ will bring out all the flavors in the meals you enjoy with it, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Drinkers enjoy this beer whether in the pub, at the resort, or in a restaurant. 

Pike’s Beer Co. Stout – South Africa

Relatively light-bodied with the colour of cola, Pike’s Beer Co. Stout delivers a wide range of flavours, including toasted nuts, vanilla, cocoa and chocolate without a lot of weight.

This deep and dark favorite is best paired with dishes that are rich and flavourful, including desserts like chocolate brownies and mousse. A shellfish or Mexican dinner, along with stews and chilis, are just a few of the many dishes that will complement this stout’s flavors.

Although recommended to consume in winter as a comfort beverage, lovers of this brew confess to enjoying it all year-round in any temperature.

Great Northern Alcoholic Ginger Beer – Australia

With ginger beer soaring in popularity across Australia, Great Northern Brewery chose to participate by introducing its version in 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. Great Northern’s Ginger beer balances the heat of ginger with sweetness for an incredibly easy drinking experience.

If you’re looking for the right beverage for Chinese dishes, old cheddar, fish and chips or Mexican food, this ginger beer with its citrus notes will be a top choice. Australians enjoy Great Northern’s Alcoholic Ginger beer most during the long, hot summer, and during Ginger Hour, which to the rest of us is watching the sunset.

Pacific Beer Pilsner – Papua New Guinea

Paradise Breweries’ Pacific Beer Pilsner, featuring a blend of subtle florals and herbs, gentle spice, and the sweetness of mild malt, is an interesting addition to any gathering. This golden yellow brew tastes best with fried, grilled, or roasted chicken and pork. It also pairs wonderfully with sausages, grilled fish, and flavourful and spicy dishes. 

The brewery boasts that its Pacific Beer Pilsner is made with the purest methods and ingredients, as dictated in the 1516 German Purity Law. There are hundreds of great beers in the Southern Hemisphere to choose from, and enjoyment is subjective to each individual. Which one will you try—and perhaps become obsessed with—next?