One of the biggest developments in the beer industry in the past few years is the growing strength of 'mainstream craft' - beers from big brands that offer the kind of flavour normally associated with hip craft breweries but for a lower price. That move says a lot about the changing palates of New Zealand beer drinkers and Monteith's embraced that flavour revolution with last year's new release, Tight Lines. The judges just raved about a well-made beer packed with stonefruit, citrus and tropical flavours: "Tropical mandarin aroma, hoppy but well integrated with clean biscuity malt flavour." Give it a go.

Find out more about Monteith's on the Ale Trail.