The Sunshine State isn’t just a haven of tropical weather and above-average beaches, but Queensland is also the country’s recently crowned beer capital. No it’s not XXXX we’re talking about (though we forgive you if you jumped to conclusions), but the state has yet again been dubbed Australia’s leader when it comes to brew thanks to its hearty offerings in the craft beer stakes.

Back in 2017, Brisbane was crowned craft beer King thanks to the presence of 17 of the country’s 49 craft beer breweries. Fast forward two years, and the number not only continues to rise, but these breweries have launched beers claiming 22 of the country’s top 100 positions in last week’s GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers poll.

A favourite among beer fanatics, the specialist poll was conducted by the GABS beer festival, with 31,000 beer lovers placing more than 155,000 online votes for their favourite craft beers of the year.

Seven Queensland beers landed in the top 20, with number one once again announced as the XPA from the Balter Brewing Company, the Currumbin hotspot owned by Mick Fanning and his surf buddies. Proving its worth, Balter also claimed sixth and seventh place for its Double IPA and India Pale Ale.

Joining Balter in the top 100 were fellow Queenslanders Black Hops Brewery (Gold Coast), 10 Toes Brewery (Sunshine Coast), Your Mates Brewing Co (Sunshine Coast), Green Beacon (Brisbane), Burleigh Brewing Co (Gold Coast), Hemingway’s (Far North Queensland), Brouhaha (Maleny), and Fortitude Brewing Co (Mount Tambourine).