XXXX (beer)
Australians wouldn't give a XXXX for anything else.
XXXX (pronounced four-ex) is an Australian beer brewed in Milton, Brisbane, by Castlemaine Perkins, which is now owned by the Japanese company Kirin. The brand is especially popular in Queensland, where it is a common sight on tap in pubs and bars. Castlemaine introduced the XXXX name in 1924, drawing on the old practice of using Xs to mark an ale’s strength. It followed on from the XXX Sparkling Ale, which had been around since 1878.
The current lineup includes several beers. XXXX Bitter is a 4.4% ABV Australian lager, often called XXXX Heavy when ordered in Queensland. XXXX Gold is a mid-strength lager at 3.5% ABV and also has lower carbs. XXXX Summer Bright Lager is a full-strength, low-carb beer at 4.0% ABV, available with lime or mango. XXXX Ultra is a zero-carb lager at 3.8% ABV. XXXX Ginger is an alcoholic ginger beer at 3.5% ABV.
Some older beers occasionally reappear in small, limited releases at the XXXX Alehouse and Restaurant, which sits on the brewery site. These have included Thirsty Dog, a wheat beer popular in the 1990s; XXXX Draught, a less carbonated version of XXXX Bitter from the 1970s meant to mimic wooden-barrel taste; Carbine Stout, brewed from 1915 to 2008 and named after the 1890s racehorse Carbine; and Castlemaine Best IPA, an India pale ale first brewed in 1918. In December 2019, the original XXX Sparkling Ale had a limited release in several Brisbane bars, including the Alehouse. Other discontinued beers include XXXX Light (2.3% ABV), XXXX DL Lager (4.4% ABV, lower carb), XXXX Gold Australian Pale Ale (3.5% ABV), XXXX Dry (4.2% ABV), and XXXX Zero (0.0% ABV, alcohol-free).
The brewery’s history began in 1878, when brothers Nicholas and Edward Fitzgerald moved from Castlemaine, Victoria, to Brisbane and bought an old distillery on 13 September, naming it Castlemaine Brewing. They first made XXX Sparkling Ale, then in 1893 introduced a new beer called XXXX. The name reflects a traditional grading system for strong beer. In 1924, they launched XXXX Bitter alongside a cartoon mascot, Mr Fourex, said to be based on Paddy Fitzgerald, a former general manager. In 1928, Castlemaine Brewing bought the Perkins brewing company, founded by politician and brewer Patrick Perkins, becoming Castlemaine Perkins. The XXXX sign was installed on the brewery tower in the 1950s.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Milton, Brisbane
- Opened
- 1924
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
In 1878, brothers Nicholas and Edward Fitzgerald moved from Castlemaine, Victoria, to Brisbane, where they bought an old distillery on 13 September, calling it Castlemaine Brewing. They initially produced XXX Sparkling Ale, and in 1893 introduced a new beer called XXXX, the name referring to a traditional grading system for strong beer. In 1924, they launched XXXX Bitter alongside the cartoon character Mr Fourex, claimed to be based on Paddy Fitzgerald, a former general manager. In 1928, Castlemaine Brewing bought the Perkins brewing company, becoming Castlemaine Perkins. The XXXX sign on the brewery was installed on top of the tower in the 1950s. In 1980, Castlemaine Perkins merged with Tooheys, and in 1985 it was bought by Alan Bond's Bond Corp. In 1992, it was fully acquired by Lion Nathan, which was taken over by Kirin in 2009. XXXX Gold, introduced in 1990, became the best-selling beer in Australia. In March 2016, XXXX Bitter was reduced from 4.6% to 4.4% ABV.
Reader's Guide
XXXX is a significant Australian beer brand, particularly dominant in Queensland where it is a staple on tap. Its name, derived from the X grading system for ale strength, connects it to a brewing tradition dating back to the 19th century. The brand's mascot, Mr Fourex, has been a recognizable figure since 1924, though his true inspiration remains uncertain. XXXX has been brewed under license in the UK until 2009, and its beers are sold in various formats including cans, stubbies, and tallies, often with trivia questions under twist-top lids. The brand has a strong presence in sports sponsorship, notably with the Queensland Maroons rugby league team and the Australian V8 Supercars Championship. XXXX Gold, a mid-strength lager, became the best-selling beer in Australia. The brewery site in Milton still houses the XXXX Alehouse and Restaurant, where limited releases of past beers occasionally appear. The brand's advertising tagline from the 1980s and 1990s, 'Australians wouldn't give a XXXX for anything else,' reflects its cultural resonance.
Did You Know?
- The XXXX brand name is a throwback to the tradition of using Xs to indicate ale strength, building on the earlier XXX Sparkling Ale from 1878.
- A common military nickname for XXXX was 'Barbed Wire,' as the XXXX logo resembles the fence product used in the outback.
- In Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, an Australian-like continent is named XXXX, pronounced 'fourecks'.
- XXXX is still served from wooden barrels at the Breakfast Creek Hotel in Newstead, Queensland, where the beer is unpasteurised and delivered by gravity.
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