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Not every town can boast their own namesake beer, but we can.
Ballarat Bitter holds a special place in the beer-loving heart of our city.
Originally a top fermented bitter-style ale, Ballarat Bitter was produced by the Ballarat Brewing Company, which was formed in 1895 following the amalgamation of the Phoenix Brewery and the Royal Standard Brewery.
The iconic Ballarat Bertie character (the gentleman depicted on the XXX ale label) became part of the Ballarat Bitter brand in 1925.
Ballarat Bitter was last brewed in the city in the early 1980s, but sales of the bitter continued until 1991.
In December 2006, Ballarat Bitter made a triumphant return to the city - albeit briefly - after a 15-year absence.
The limited release of 12,000 slabs sold out in less than two weeks.
Another short re-release followed in 2011.
