Food & Beer Culture

A cold lager pairs well with what Queensland pulls from the sea and off the grill. The coastal city of Brisbane sits on Moreton Bay, home to Moreton Bay Bugs, a type of flat crustacean eaten similarly to lobster. Barramundi, a predatory fish from the rivers of the north, also frequently appears on menus.

Why does this pair well with lager? The mild, dry beer doesn't overpower the delicate flavour of crab or fish, and the carbonation refreshes the palate. With grilled meat off the barbie, it cools the palate without competing with sweetness.

The pub is a gathering place for all ages in Queensland. You'll find fish and chips, steak, and meat pie, a savoury pastry filled with ground meat. Many pubs have a beer garden, and in summer people sit outside in the shade of palms and umbrellas.

One ritual is the shout: whoever's turn it is buys a round for everyone at the table, then the next person takes over. This keeps anyone from constantly having to pay, and ensures no one drinks alone at the bar. Anyone who's had enough simply says so.

A celebration all its own is State of Origin, the rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales. The Queensland Maroons wear maroon jerseys, and the Milton brewery sponsors the team. Anyone wanting a Bundaberg Ginger Beer afterward gets it as a soft drink. For takeaway, everything goes into the cooler box, known in Australia as an Esky.