Ever since I stopped going to Australia, I have been yearning for the BITTER beers from there. Either XXXX or VB.

I've called/written the brewer's directly and they do not ship or distribute in the US.

I called beer stores in Australia and asked it they could ship to US, again NO!

MY large liquor houses in Chicago can not get it in.

Has anyone ever seen or know of these beers existence in North America??

Found a Foster's Bitter(in green oil can) in a Peoria, IL liquor store in Summer 2000. YES, I realize it's only Foster's, and made in Canada. But, thought that you might want to look out for it.

I found VB in a liqor store in Louisville, KY in Summer 2000. No longer live there so don't know if its still available. If not a trip to Oz then try the UK. The stuff is readily available here http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

With Coopers Ale now available around the USA, who need the other stuff. If you don't know Coopers, give it a go. It's not a typical Australian beer, but it's much better.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by drtravels:
No, but it's a great excuse to travel to Australia or the South Pacific. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/wink.gif

</font>

That it is!!

Thanks to all who gave info, I will look into these "leads".

Found a link to order the Australian Beer from: http://www.liquorhomedelivery.com.au/

The case of beer costs $15 US, the shipping is $55.

A junkie has his needs, so I ordered

I will have to check into this, but I believe I have some sort of document that says where you can get them from. Give me a day or two. Please don't get upset if I am wrong...Brain overload cause of the holidays sometimes makes me have strange thoughts http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif But I will check.

am sipping on an XXXX bitter now, aaaahhhhhh,
worth every penny!!!

Neat thread! I've longed for a VB since I was there 4 years ago. A couple years ago I was at a Bennigan's that served XXXX but I have never seen VB in the states and have yet to come across another Bennigan's with XXXX.

Edited to add that shipping on a case of VB is $140! I'm not that thirsty...

[This message has been edited by FlyByMike (edited 12-25-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by FlyByMike:
Edited to add that shipping on a case of VB is $140!</font>

Remember though thats Oz dollars not US!!

If you are ever in New York the Australian restaurant "Eight Mile Creek" serves all Coopers types over the downstairs bar (it's in Nolita.

The barman there knows where to get Aussie beer by the case on the lower east side.

Other than that - try the Australian consulates in various US cities. They all run monthly drinks or other social excuses for "bending the elbow" as aussies call it. They will have aussie beer at these functions.

Longing for the taste bitter myself.

Apparently Trader Joes stocks Coopers..well some of them do..and for what it's worth Willie...it's better than VB.

VB is not available in the USA and won't ever be as it's made by the same people who make Fosters...Carlton United.

They probably figure that if they start making VB available everyone will realise that Fosters is rubbish. After all, you don't see many Aussies drinking Fosters http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif

Phoebe

ps..why do Queenslanders call their beer XXXX ?


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If God meant man to fly, he'd have given him more money. Anon

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Feebster:
ps..why do Queenslanders call their beer XXXX ?</font>

I thought the reply was that Queenslanders can't spell?!?!

One Queenslander told me that VB beer, just stands for "VERY BAD" beer. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif