#2 in Australia and New Zealand

Beer rating website, RateBeer.com, has released its list of the top 100 Beers of Australia and New Zealand, as voted by its international team of beer tasters.

The list sees the top 3 spots occupied by New Zealand brewers, with Luke Nicholas’ Epic Brewery taking the quinella for his Epic Armageddon and Epic Pale Ale which achieved the #1 and #2 spots respectively. Wellington’s Yeastie Boys took third place for their Pot Kettle Black 2009, an American-style Porter.

The highest placing Australian beer was Little Creatures Pale Ale in 4th position.

While New Zealand beer dominated the top 5, Australian beers dominated the remainder of the list occupying 32 of the 50 places.

As always, lists such as this—made possible by RateBeer.com’s volunteer raters—will spark debate amongst beer lovers.

In a media release, the site emphasises its independence and real world testing.

“RateBeer Best is a beer competition unique in its independence — the site survives most entirely without support by any brewer or distributor,” President Joe Tucker said in a media release.

“Unlike other beer contests, the emphasis was largely placed on tasting commercial samples — not special batches prepared for festivals. Additionally, most beers were not tasted in large flights, allowing a more reliable and accurate account of the beer.”

Perhaps reflecting the dominance of North American beer raters on the site, no Australian or New Zealand beers made the international Top 100 list, which was dominated by the United States with 77 entries.

The highest rating beer internationally was Westvleteren 12, a Trappist beer legitimately available only from the Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren where it is brewed, though its rarity and popularity drives a thriving black market. Westvleteren 8 also featured at #29.

Beers from the top 100 more easily available in Australia include:

• #10 Rochefort Trappistes 10 (Belgium)
• #16 Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel (Denmark)
• #32 Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast (Denmark)
• #34 St. Bernardus Abt 12 (Belgium)
• #51 Cantillon Blåbær Lambik (Belgium)
• #68 Rochefort Trappistes 8 (Belgium)
• #70 Nøgne Ø Imperial Stout (Norway)
• #76 Cantillon Lou Pepe Pure Kriek (Belgium)

See the full Australia & New Zealand list here

See the World Top 100 here

Let us know what you thing is the best beer in the world in the comments.