WHICH STATE RULES?

Slainte! In this special State of Origin–inspired beer review, I put two powerhouse XPAs head‑to‑head: Balter XPA representing Queensland, and White Bay Brewing XPA flying the flag for New South Wales. Both beers are absolute standouts — bright, refreshing, full of flavour, and honestly so close in quality that separating them felt like a real Origin decider. I break down the pour, aroma, flavour, drinkability, and overall vibe of each beer, and talk through what makes both of them such strong contenders. Balter brings its signature clean, tropical punch, while White Bay delivers a beautifully balanced, ultra‑crisp XPA that really impressed me. In the end, after a seriously tight contest, White Bay XPA takes the honours — but only by the slimmest of margins. This was one of the closest beer matchups I’ve ever reviewed, and a whole lot of fun to film. If you’re a fan of XPAs, Aussie craft beer, or just love a bit of Origin rivalry, this is one you won’t want to miss.