Two (Miere and Miner's Galore) are bottle-conditioned with characteristic effervescence and big long-lasting head.
Miere (or honi) means honey in Maori, and this 6.5% brew has clover and manuka honey in it to give a slightly sweet taste to contrast with a bitter aftertaste.
Miner's Galore (6%) contains rosehip, which the early gold miners used to pick for their tea.
The rosehip gives this brew most of its bitterness.
Kauri (5%) has a touch of lime in it and a hint of woodiness.
The early gum-diggers in Northland would chew bits of kauri gum.
A piece of kauri was soaked in alcohol and the liquid, which has drawn out the tree's natural flavour, was added to this brew.
The result is a rich, malty beer with a hint of woodiness.
Readers sometimes question why all sorts of things are added by brewers to beers. We do it to food, to impart added flavours. It is not new: all sorts of herbs were added to beer in ancient times, and beer was once fermented and delivered in wooden barrels.
Any retail outlet already carrying Beerworks' trio of Cardrona Gold, Tall Black and Brewski should have single 330ml bottles (about $4.80) of the seasonal brews. They are interesting, enjoyable and therefore worth a try.
They should be around until De Vylder releases three more seasonal brews - all wheat beers - on December 21 for summer drinking.
One will contain sour cherries and the others cardamom and coriander, and coriander and orange peel.
Not around
The previous column about wheat beers said that Mac's Great White was widely available. It usually is.
However, packaging ceased as a result of the February earthquake in Christchurch and Lion Breweries has just announced it will not resume until early next year.
Mac's Light is similarly affected.
Speight's brewery in Dunedin is producing Great White in kegs for Mac's brew bars around the country.
Unfortunately, the nearest such bar is in Christchurch.
Latest Emerson's
Dunedin brewer Emerson's has repeated last year's Tally Ho! (named after The Clean's 1981 debut single).
This 4.9% English summer ale style is refreshing and light-bodied with a citrus/orange tang from the English hops used.
It is Emerson's latest brewer's reserve and available in plastic from the city brewery.
Swedish ciders
Swedish ciders are traditionally sweetish, and three by Recorderlig Brewery, newly available here, are no exception.
This tasty trio is made from pears - two of them are flavoured (strawberry and lime and wild berries).
Technically, being made from pears, they are perry, not cider.
They are distributed by DB and can be found at Liquorland and Henry's ($6.50 a 650ml bottle).
