The only part of Australia where a new extra strong version of a popular beer will NOT be sold due to alcohol related violence
- The new variation of VB will not be sold in the NT
- 6 percent VX is 1.1 percent more than VB
A high-strength variation of one of Australia’s most famous beers will not be sold in one part of the country for fears of increased levels of alcohol-induced violence.
Victoria Bitter Xtra beer, brewed by Carlton and United Breweries, has an alcoholic strength of 6%, 1.1% more than the classic Victoria Bitter sold nationwide.
Carlton and United Breweries announced that the new beer will not be available in the Northern Territory during its launch this week.
The decision comes amid fast-paced incidents of alcohol-related violence in the Territory and alcohol bans in the communities surrounding Alice Springs.
It has also sparked calls for other breweries to follow suit and limit the amount of extra-strength alcohol sold in the Territory.
The new heavy-duty variation of VB, VX (pictured), will not be sold in the Northern Territory after alcohol-related crime rates soar.
The Northern Territory has seen a rise in alcohol-related violence after Howard-era liquor bans in remote communities were overturned last year.
Statistics from the Northern Territory Police show that domestic violence assaults increased by 65% and alcohol-related assaults increased by 68% between 2021 and 2022.
According to a Northern Territory Government report, “as of September 2022, 1 in 27 people in Alice Springs experienced an alcohol-related assault, compared to 1 in 154 people in Darwin.”
Darren Clarke, who started the campaign to highlight the violence in Alice Springs, told Daily Mail Australia that he believed that indigenous children came to the city and committed acts of violence to get away from alcohol-fueled violence in the home.
Liquor bans were re-implemented in communities surrounding Alice Springs in February after a crime wave swept through the central Australian town (pictured, a shop window smashed during the crime wave)
The new VX was created to meet the growing market for higher percentage beers, popularized by craft breweries.
VB brand director Sarah Wilcox said that while nearly 30 percent of Carlton & United Breweries’ beer sales are light or moderate beers, higher percentage beers are becoming more popular on the beer scene. craft beer.
“Higher-alcohol beers are becoming increasingly popular in the craft segment, and we believe there is a market among traditional beer lovers who also want bolder, more intense flavors. It’s about choice,” said Ms. Wilcox.
“We’ve launched VX to give beer lovers a slightly bolder, more intense version of the great VB taste they’ve enjoyed for generations.
“It’s brewed to be enjoyed with colleagues and to provide more great-tasting beer options for various occasions.”
The new VX beer will cost $16 for a four pack and $60 for a slab outside of the Northern Territory.
