#14 - Mac's Hop Rocker Pilsner - 5%ABV

Pours a bright, golden colour with a nice billowy head and big effervescence in the glass. It has a bold, crisp and clean aroma and a lively mouthfeel. There's an initial sweetness which fades to a tart, citrus bitterness. An average, refreshing pilsner.

All of Mac's beers tend to be fairly well-balanced, they're average, in a good 'please the mainstream' way. There's nothing within their entire range which really breaks any rules of leaves you thinking that it is a special beer.

For most Kiwi beer drinkers - "Mac's?" would be the reply if you said, "Name a craft beer." But it's brewed by beverage behemoth Lion Nathan.  They have their marketing department to thank for that.

Yes, NZ has a lot to learn about the awesome craft beers there are on offer - but you could do a lot worse than being seen drinking a Mac's Hop Rocker.

#13 Mac's Great White - 5%ABV

As you'll probably read more than once on my blog, I'm not a huge fan of wheat beers. That is, they are well down the list when I'm looking for something new to try. That said, Three Boys' Wheat is probably up there in my all time favourite beers. So all those that follow, have a lot to live up to.

Great White is always in the fridge at work - and it is restocked regularly. However, I can't say I've ever seen anyone drinking it at the agency bar. Perhaps it's more of a 'at-your-desk' kind of beer. Perhaps even a sneaky early morning ale, disguised in a stainless steel thermos mug. Either way - Great White is definitely a staple in the agency's fridge.

Like Great White's label reads, "...it pours a cloudy pale straw.." pretty standard for a wheat beer. It has a creamy head which clings nicely to the side of the glass. There's a touch of honey and a marmalade-on-bread kind of aroma. It has a medium body, and  a pleasant ginger and clove spiciness that lingers. It is a refreshing drop for a lazy summer's afternoon but it's just a bit ordinary. If I was going to choose a wheat beer - I would be reaching for my fave.