You’ve probably scrolled past it, maybe even seen a video or two—Melbourne Black is here. We soft-launched what might just be Melbourne’s best nitro stout. It all started with a simple idea: the crew at Hop Nation wanted a stout made by Melburnians, in Melbourne, for Melburnians.

From there, our head brewer, Tim, got to work. One brew was all it took to create Melbourne Black.

Duncan and Tom didn’t stop there. They installed a nitro tap on the back of Duncan’s ute and hit the streets of Melbourne, pouring pints straight to our trade partners, one pub at a time, hustling to get it on tap.

Now, Melbourne Black is pouring across a number of venues around Melbourne.

Dark, dry, and defiant. Melbourne Black is a stout with soul, with the quality you expect from a Hop Nation brew. Brewed in Melbourne, solely for a city that knows its draught nitro stouts. Taste-wise, expect a full, creamy, nitro pub stout with depth but surprising drinkability. A walnut cream head that settles just right, with a subtle, enticing aroma of clean, quality malt.

Check out the full list below and grab yourself a pint.


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National Tree Planting Day 2025

Yesterday was National Tree Planting Day, and the Hop Nation crew made the most of it by heading down to the beautiful Mornington Peninsula to lend a hand—and get our hands dirty. Big thanks to all the volunteers who joined in, and to the local organisers for having us. Here’s to more days like this.

How to pour the perfect nitro stout pint, using our Melbourne Black

Some call it an art form. We call it a pour-play. Nitro stout isn’t tricky—it just asks for a little patience (yeah, we know, that part’s tough—but you’ve got this).

Follow these steps, trust the process, and let the creamy magic happen.