See which brews earned the vote of Dan’s in-store beer experts.

Voting is officially open for the GABS Hottest 100 Aussie Craft Beers of 2022. An annual celebration of the year’s best and fairest, this poll is one of the most important dates on the craft beer calendar. Beer lovers are tasked with picking their five favourite crafties of the year – easier said than done – before a final countdown announcing the top 100 is live-streamed into pubs across the country on Saturday, 28 January. The winning brews define the year in beer and go on to inspire the next crop of brewers, styles and trends. Anyone can vote (until January 20), and every vote counts.

Will BentSpoke’s Crankshaft IPA take out the top spot for the third year in a row? Or is 2022 the year of the underdog? With thousands of incredible craft beer candidates vying for our vote, we sought some much-needed electoral analysis from the folks who know them best – Dan Murphy’s beer specialists. If you’re still on the fence (bloody swing voters!) about which box to tick, these expert insights should help guide you. Have a read, then head here to cast your votes.

Sean Livingstone-Ward, Dan Murphy’s Richmond, Victoria

1. Braeside Brewing Co Governor Pale Ale

It was over a post-work feed that this brew earned Sean’s vote. “I’d just finished a long day at work,” he explains. “I cooked myself a whole roast chicken and cracked a can of Governor Pale Ale. It was one of those perfect food and beer combos that’s sat with me ever since, and I’ll continue to come back to it again and again.” Full-bodied, ferociously flavoursome, and choice with chook – hard to argue with that logic.

2. Hop Nation Melbourne Fog Hazy Pale

Hazy Pale casts an undeniably long shadow over the craft beer scene, making its presence on lists like these seem predictable. But an encounter with an iconic Melbourne band at an iconic Melbourne venue over an iconic Melbourne beer solidified its standing for Sean. “The haze craze exploded a few years back,” he says. “Every brewery was jumping on the trend, but Hop Nation really stepped up with Melbourne Fog,” he says. “It makes me glad I moved to Melbourne.”

3. Deeds Brewing Juice Train New England IPA

“Juice Train is the beer to pull out when you want to convert people to the craft beer world,” says Sean. Brewed as a limited release back in 2017, this New England IPA proved so popular that it quickly became a core feature of the Deeds range. “One of the all-time greats that delivers everything you want in a craft beer,” he says.

Jarred Aspden, Dan Murphy’s Hawthorn East, Victoria

1. Heaps Normal Quiet XPA

Zero%* and low-alc brews have dominated headlines over the past few years but, according to Jarred, this old darling is still the one to beat. “It’s incredible how they remove the alcohol without compromising on taste,” he says. “It’s fruity with a balanced and refreshing bitterness. It easily could fool me into thinking it was a normal beer.”

2. Bad Shepherd Peanut Butter Porter

A craft for the cooler months, Bad Shepherd’s Peanut Butter Porter is a rich and desserty dream. “It’s incredibly moreish,” Jarred says. “And it tastes just like a liquid Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup.” Earning his vote with its evocative fireside charm, this dark brew is definitely one for the sweet tooths.

3. Burnley Brewing Helles Lager

“Look up ‘refreshing’ in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of this beer,” Jarred says. Although lager may not be the first thing that springs to mind when we think about craft beer, this classic style has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years. “It's clean and crisp, with the ideal balance of subtle malt and subdued hop bitterness. The perfect beer for summer.”

Hannah Billingsley, Dan Murphy’s Malvern, Victoria

1. Bad Shepherd Peanut Butter Porter

Another vote for Bad Shepherd’s Peanut Butter Porter. The GABS Hottest 100 is a bit of a bellwether for upcoming trends, and if Hannah’s top pick tells us anything, it’s that sweet, dark brews could be on the cusp of a moment. “This is a super-tasty twist on a classic dark beer style,” she says. “Keeps me coming back every time!”

2. Fox Hat Red Pelt India Red Ale

With a gold medal at the World Beer Awards already in the bag, Fox Hat’s Red Pelt India Red Ale is shaping up to be a top contender for GABS glory. Lusciously velvety with bursts of malt and hops, Hannah’s vote could prove to be a popular one. “It’s something a bit different from your average lager style,” she says. “It’s refreshing, but still has some weight behind it.”

3. Sobah Finger Lime Cerveza Zero%* Alcohol

Hannah’s final vote goes to this delicious Mexican-style Cerveza from Queensland’s Sobah Beverages. Brewed with native Australian finger limes, this zero%* alcohol lager raises the bar for its no-alc siblings. “Really well balanced, fresh and zingy,” Hannah says. “The best non-alc* beer I’ve had to date!”

Dan Idle, Dan Murphy’s Oakleigh, Victoria

1. Better Beer Zero Carb

With an inspired vote of confidence from Oakleigh’s Dan Idle, this relative newcomer is redefining low-carb beer for good. “Better Beer Zero Carb has gained fast popularity with people looking for a more health-conscious brew,” says Dan. “It has a great approachable flavour profile and is a great all-rounder. Ticks all the boxes.” While we’re on the topic of ticking boxes…

2. Kaiju Krush Tropical Pale Ale

Dan’s next vote goes to a beer that does exactly what it says on the can. “Kaiju Krush Tropical Pale Ale has a nice fruit-driven hoppy taste without overpowering the palate like some other tropical pales do,” says Dan. “It’s beautifully balanced with a clean sessionable flavour. A modern classic that continues to outshine and outlast its competition.”

3. Dainton Brewery Jungle Juice Hazy IPA

Another hazy IPA proving that the old dog of craft beer styles still has it. “Dainton’s Jungle Juice is exactly what a hazy IPA should taste like, in my opinion,” Dan says. Redlining those signature tropical flavours we’ve come to expect from a classic hazy, Jungle Juice is all about controlled power. “From that first hit of hop to the smooth finish, each sip leads to the next,” he says.

Allison Franklin, Dan Murphy’s Bicton, Western Australia

1. Mountain Culture Cult IPA

Allison’s top pick goes to a New England IPA with a burgeoning cult following. “I was so excited to get Mountain Culture into our stores,” she says. “These guys make hazy hop bombs that are absolutely full of flavour.” Brewed with new world hops and beating the drum for tropical pales, Cult IPA looks sure to benefit from its growing stable of devout devotees. Well, this one, at least.

2. Beerfarm Royal Haze Juicy Hazy IPA

If there was ever any doubt that hazy IPAs were still the reigning monarch of craft beer, Allison’s second vote should put the debate to bed. Beerfarm’s Royal Haze is a statement of winning intent. “These guys are one of my favourite brewers in WA,” she says. “They even have a fantastic brewery where you – and your dog! – are always welcome.” But what about the beer? “Always a crowd pleaser,” according to Allison.

3. Otherside Cloudburst Hazy IPA

Okay, this is getting silly. Another vote, another hazy IPA. Low on bitterness, big on aroma, thick, cloudy and ultra velvety. It’s not hard to see why Otherside’s Cloudburst made its way onto Allison’s voting card. “Otherside produces some fantastic beer that our customers absolutely love,” says Allison. “It also helps that they’re fellow locals!” Talk about a hometown advantage.