SWEET WHEAT FROM BEEZ NEES

When I think of a wheat beer, I think of a beer pale, yellow and cloudy, bitter to the taste with a creamy head in a tall, chilled glass.

I think of beer that can polarise. Some people rave about them, and some people don’t find them all that pleasant.

Traditionally they would be from Germany or Belgium. They may be boosted with some citrus and can be quite challenging for the legions of lager drinkers out there.

Then comes along Beez Neez from Matilda Bay Brewing.

Originally brewed as a Christmas treat for Capilano, the honey company, this has been a staple at Matilda Bay for a long time.

Hugh the Neighbour and I found it to be be quite drinkable, although really we felt it presented more as a traditional lager with honey overtones.

Hugh and I also tried a bottle of the new Reinhold, a single batch altbier from Little Creatures.

Altbier is German for “old beer’’ and this is a modern take on a style that has been around for yonks.

This is complex, packed with malt and hoppy bitterness, and a bit polarising. HTN found it not to his liking.

It just didn’t strike a chord.

I found it drinkable, but would reach for something else in the Little Creatures range.

The Facts: Beez Neez Honey Wheat Beer, $22 a six pack, $50 a carton of 24. Little Creatures Sticke Altbier, $90 a carton of 12.