Victoria Bitter

Victoria Bitter is one of the many beers manufactured in the Australian state of Victoria. Victoria Bitter held the highest market share of all beer sold in Australia for more than two decades. However in 2012 this mantle passed to the Lion Nathan's Queensland XXXX Gold,

In April 2011 VB held 13.7 per cent volume share and XXXX Gold had 11.7 per cent. Just one year on and in April 2012 VB had dropped to 12.3 per cent, while XXXX Gold took the lead with 12.4 per cent.

Victoria Bitter is brewed by Carlton & United Beverages, (a subsidiary of Foster's Group, brewers of Fosters Lager) in Melbourne - Victoria. Victoria Bitter was first brewed by renowned Melbourne brewer Thomas C. Moore in the early 1900s.

At one time VB sold twice as much as any other full strength beer and was the only Australian beer brand that is in the top 3 sellers in every state. According to Neilsen in 2009 Victoria Bitter was claimed to be Australia's only billion dollar retail beer brand, selling the equivalent of one slab every second.

Despite its name, it is technically a fairly standard commercial lager rather than a bitter. Since late 2012 Victoria Bitter has been sold at a strength of 4.9% ABV after an interim period of producing the same product at an ABV of 4.6% (equal to virtually every other major Australian lager). The VB sold commercially in New Zealand is also 4.6% and is available in 375mls quantities in either bottles or cans.

Victoria Bitter is also available in New Zealand, Bali, Indonesia, the UK, and, to a limited extent, other countries abroad.

The beer has acquired numerous nicknames over the years.