With Australia Day long weekend sure to see a lot of ales flowing, Bendigo Beer president Trevor Birks is hoping people will crack open a brew that is not only locally made but also locally owned.

But the "typical Aussie beers" aren't as Aussie as they appear.

“Beers like VB, Tooheys and XXXX are not Australian owned," Mr Birks said.

"About 95 per cent of the beer market is made up of beer brands owned by international companies.

"Australia Day should mean celebrating what’s great about our country – and drinking beer made and owned by Australians is just one way to do that.”

Mr Birks said that since Bendigo Beer began in 2011, the number of Bendigo venues providing more craft beer choice for customers has grown and locally owned breweries are getting a chance to compete.

“Brookes Pale Ale is made right here in Bendigo, while Holgate and Tooborac are not far away either," he said.

Bendigo Beer and The Cambrian Hotel are celebrating Australian beer at their annual Australia Day party, which kicks of at 12 noon on January 26.

“For the first time in Bendigo, we’ll be doing a live simulcast of Australia’s Hottest 100 Beers, as voted by the beer loving public," Mr Birks said.

" Naturally, Triple J's Hottest 100 music will be blasting all day as well."