The biggest drop was in 2.5% to 4.35% strength (down 8.5% to 176 million litres). The small low-alcohol beer market fell by 2.1% to 3 million litres.
But 4.36% to 5% premium beer rose by 7.6% to 112 million litres and the strong stuff from small craft breweries and limited releases by big breweries surged by 26% to 8.8 million litres.
Other alcoholic beverages increased: table wine by 14%; fortified wine by 5.5%; spirits 20% and spirit-based ready to drink (RTD) by 0.6%.
Annual release
Emerson's annual limited edition, Taieri George, was released on Monday to celebrate the birthday of Richard Emerson's late father, George, who helped found the Taieri Gorge railway.
It is strong and is best described as liquid hot cross buns with its cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. If you can resist it that long, it is perfect for Easter next month.
Ready for winter
Dunedin brewer Green Man has released its Celt for the colder months.
It is a blend of Whisky Bock and Dark Mild to produce a dark, malty and strong (6.5%) winter warmer. The latest batch of IPA, with five hop varieties, has a richer hop aroma than usual, and its flavour remains hop-dominant.
Latest girlie
Otago woman Vicki Purple, who unashamedly aims her creations at women's palates, has produced a refreshingly fruity number called Beltane Viper (5%) which is a blend of her Beltane Maiden wheat beer and (about one-third) cider.
The Beltane range is made for her by Christchurch brewer Harrington's, which supplied the cider for Viper.
Try craftybeers@gmail.com for an outlet near you, although it is in New World's Gardens and Port Chalmers stores and Castle Macadam.
Easier to find
Monteith's Single Source, launched last November, has reached supermarket shelves.
It was initially available only on tap at Monteith's bars, then lately at Liquorland. It is expensive ($35 a dozen; $15 a four-pack), but a lovely lager, and will probably be discounted to introduce itself.
Shaken and stirred
Most Christchurch breweries were damaged by last month's earthquake.
Lion, which lost 120,000 dozen bottles of beer in the September shake, does not know how bad its brewery is because it is in the cordoned-off CBD.
Production has been stepped up at Lion's Auckland and Speight's breweries to fill any short-term shortages. One Harrington's brewery is limping along; the other might have to be demolished. Both are just outside the CBD.
Dux de Lux is fixable, Wigram has only minor damage and Three Boys, according to the boys, is "stuffed".