Summer battle of the beer brands begins

By SIMON HENDERY

The annual summer battle for the taste buds of the nation's beer drinkers is on again - this year with a bit of extra fizz.

Lion Breweries and DB Breweries have come up with fresh gimmicks to boost sales at the premium end of the market over the lucrative hot months.

Lion has released a new range of traditionally brewed "craft beers" from its Speight's Brewery and DB is selling its seasonal Summer Ale on tap for the first time.

The Speight's range uses traditional recipes and restored open kauri fermenting gyles at the company's Dunedin brewery. The beers will be sold year-round.

The kauri gyles "add such a flavour and character to these beers that we just couldn't get in any other way," said Speight's head brewer David Meads.

Lion's Nelson-based Mac's Brewery will also produce its seasonal Blonde Mac for the third time this summer.

Meanwhile, the DB-owned Monteith's Brewing Company's seasonal Summer Ale now into its fifth year will for the first time be available on tap, at The Horse & Trap, Mt Eden, and The Tap Room, in Christchurch.

* Lion Breweries has extended its rights for Stella Artois in New Zealand for the next 10 years. Lion said Stella Artois growth had tripled over the past three years. Belgium-based beer giant Interbrew owns the brand.