Bitter is out, bueno is in: Vale drops a summer Cerveza
Young Aussies want crisp, cold and crushable – so Vale Brewing whipped up a Mexican-style lager that’s light, citrusy and here for a good (but limited) time.
Across Australia, younger drinkers are changing the shape of the beer market. The heavy, hop-packed brews that defined craft beer culture for more than a decade are making room for something lighter, cleaner and more refreshing. Mexican-style lagers, once a niche import, have become the summer staple of an entire generation – and local brewers are paying attention.
Johann Einarson, brand manager at Vale Brewing, says the shift has been impossible to ignore. “Mexican-style lagers are super hot right now. It’s the number one international beer style in large retailers here in Australia. People love them for their low bitterness style and their approachable nature.”
For a category that has long leaned on bitterness, bravado and high alcohol by volume (ABV) values, the swing towards crisp, easygoing beers is significant. But, for younger drinkers, it feels obvious. Their drinking habits are being shaped by health consciousness, expanding ready-to-drink (RTD) fridges and a taste for beverages that feel refreshing first, and alcoholic second.
“Today’s alcohol consumer is a bit more health conscious so they’re looking for products that are low carb, low calorie, low ABV,” Johann says.
"There’s also an influx of RTDs hitting the shelves at the moment – things like seltzers and light spirit premixes, which are obviously light and refreshing. I think the younger generation’s palettes are more attuned to that style and that is carrying over into beer as well."
For Vale Brewing, headquartered in the coastal and craft-centric region of McLaren Vale, the trend presented an opportunity – not just to follow the wave but to create something that felt authentic to both their brand and their loyal drinkers. The result is Vale Cerveza, a crisp, corn-kissed Mexican-style lager launching this December in an extremely limited run.
“We wanted to craft a beer that was sessionable, refreshing, crisp, but with enough character and body that it could still speak to the craft enthusiasts,” Johann says.
Unlike commercial cerveza-style beers that lean heavily on neutrality, Vale Cerveza is built with a craft brewer’s touch. “We’re using a malted maize – a corn malt – which is used in traditional Mexican lagers and adds corn sweetness to the beer,” Johann explains.
“We’re also using Motueka and Citra Hops that add crushed citrus and tropical notes that people associate with Mexican lagers. That’s really nice.”
Johann advises customers will need to act fast to get their hands on the new release.
"It is super limited, only 120 cartons are being produced, so if people want to grab themselves a carton, it’s going to be snapped up pretty fast."
Vale Cerveza will be available at select independent retailers, on tap at the Vale Restaurant and Bar in McLaren Vale, online and at a handful of pubs that manage to secure kegs.
While Vale has already found success tapping into demand for lighter drinking with its crisp, 4.2% low carb, low calorie lager, the Cerveza expands the profile further into a space that balances mainstream drinkability with craft detail.
“This beer still hits that refreshing and light style, but has a bit more of a punch to it so it probably plays more into a craft beer lover’s taste, which is a space we wanted to explore in our lager range,” Johann says. “We do have the higher ABV IPAs and pales so we wanted to hit a mark that could please the everyday beer drinker as well as a craft beer enthusiast.”
But beyond tapping into a consumer trend, the release arrives at an important time for the local industry. “There’s a couple of reasons why I’m really excited about our Cerveza,” Johann says. “There’s been some tough times over the past few years for small craft breweries here in SA and Australia wide, so it’s nice for the craft enthusiast to get a bit of a good news story.
"Also, it’s exciting that we can support McLaren Vale and drive some traffic back down into the Fleurieu Peninsula after a tough winter."
Vale is marking the launch on December 14 at the Vale Restaurant and Bar. “We’re having a bit of a launch Fiesta with a special Mexican menu put on by the kitchen, and live music,” Johann says. “Obviously the Cerveza will be on tap and, if beer isn’t your thing, there will be frozen margaritas, as well as El Toro tequila. It’s a free event but bookings are encouraged.”
Johann’s hope is simple: that Vale Cerveza becomes the drink of the season. “I think it’s just going to be the perfect kind of summer beer,” he says. “People are going to be able to drink it with their friends at a barbecue watching cricket or with family on Christmas Day.”
For young drinkers looking for something crisp, refreshing and craft-made, it’s arriving at exactly the right moment – and won’t be around for long.