Beer

When it's time for a beer, you're spoilt for choice. Between commercially brewed standard beer, and craft beer from boutique breweries, you are faced with a thirst-quenching selection.

Craft beer is the biggest mover in the local market right now, with more and more companies picking up on its popularity. Some of the more common craft beers include IPA (Indian Pale Ale), APA (American Pale Ale) and XPA (Extra Pale Ale). These varieties are often "hoppier" than your everyday commercial drops, especially IPA. Consider these types of beers as ones you would drink slowly and savour, rather than ones that are made just to quench your thirst. Be wary too about the alcohol content of craft beers - they're usually substantially higher than commercial brews. If you want craft beer taste without quite as much alcohol, look out for "session" craft ales.  

The commercial brews are generally lower in alcohol, although it always pays to check. They're also less hop-forward than craft beers and, as such, don't have quite as much full-on flavour. They're generally lower in price as well, although as more and more large brewers start making craft beers, those prices will come down too. 

Weight watching beer drinkers are also well catered for with low-carb varieties down to 0.5 grams per 100 grams now available. Low alcohol beers are also easy to find. Coming in at the 2% to 3.5% range, they're considerably lower in alcohol but they often lack the full-on hops taste that true beer lovers crave.