Carlton and United Breweries’ Victoria Bitter Xtra beer is not sold in the Northern Territory

A highly concentrated variant of one of Australia’s most famous beers is not being sold in part of the country amid fears of a rise in alcohol-related violence.

Brewed by Carlton and United Breweries, Victoria Bitter Xtra has an alcohol content of 6 percent, 1.1 percent more than the nationally-selling classic, Victoria Bitter.

Carlton and United Breweries announced the new beer will not be available in the Northern Territory during its launch this week.

The decision comes amid skyrocketing cases of alcohol-related violence in the Territory and alcohol bans in communities around Alice Springs.

It has also sparked calls for other breweries to follow suit and limit the amount of extra strong alcohol sold in the territory.

New high-potency VB variant VX (pictured) is not being sold in the Northern Territory after alcohol-related crime levels have skyrocketed

The Northern Territory has seen a surge in alcohol-related violence after Howard-era alcohol bans in outlying communities were lifted last year.

Statistics from the Northern Territory Police show that between 2021 and 2022, domestic violence assaults increased by 65 per cent and alcohol-related assaults increased by 68 per cent.

According to a Northern Territory Government report, “In 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 launched the campaign to spotlight violence in Alice Springs, told Daily Mail Australia that he believes Indigenous children are coming to the city and committing criminal acts of violence to escape alcohol-related violence at home.

Alcohol bans were reinstated in communities around Alice Springs in February after a crime wave swept the central Australian city (pictured a shop window broken during the crime wave).

The new VX was designed to meet the growing market for higher proof beers being popularized by craft beer breweries

Sarah Wilcox, VB Brand Director, said that while light or medium-strength beers account for almost 30 percent of Carlton & United Breweries’ beer sales, beers with a higher percentage are gaining popularity in the craft beer scene.

“Beers with higher alcohol content are becoming increasingly popular in the craft segment and we believe there is a market among lovers of traditional beers who also want stronger and more intense flavors. It’s all about the choice,” Ms Wilcox said.

“We launched VX to offer beer lovers a slightly bolder and more intense version of the great VB taste they’ve enjoyed for generations.

“It’s brewed to be enjoyed with friends and to provide a wider range of great-tasting beers for different occasions.”

The new VX beer is $16 for a four-pack and $60 for a slab outside the Northern Territory.