When it all comes down to it, beer is really a very simple thing to make.

There are essentially four basic ingredients – water, barley, hops and yeast and it is what you do with those things which really determine the kind of beer you have.

Following this simple approach, James Boags has released Pure, a Tasmanian lager made in the finest traditions without any preservatives or additives.

The end result is a crisp, refreshing lager with a slightly bitter aftertaste which isn’t overpowering.

FIRST there was Pure Blonde, then Naked Blonde and now Maxx Blonde – confused?

This latest release onto the Blonde market (which is a trendy way of saying low carb) comes to us from ‘across The Ditch’ and should proved to be pretty popular over the summer months.

As is the case with many premium beers these days, Maxx Blonde boasts no preservatives or additives and is low carb.

JUST when you thought you had tried all of the Coopers range of beers and stout, the South Australian brewer comes out with another to tempt the taste buds.

Now there is Coopers 62, a refreshing, clean, crisp pilsner ideal for our warmer climates.

Named after the year which Cooper Family started brewing (and aren’t we glad they did!), the 62 is based on a Bohemian-style pilsner.

It has a light golden colour, clear with no cloudiness and with a good hoppy aroma thanks to the use of Saaz and Hersbucker varieties.

STOUTS are normally a drink which I would enjoy during the cooler months but I have been partial to a decent chocolate stout at any time.

When I was presented with Sou’ Wester from the Gulf Brewery in South Australia and read that it was a ‘smooth, rich chocolate stout’ how could I refuse?

With a coffer coloured head and a subtle but distinctive chocolate aroma, Sou’ Wester had my mouth watering well before I tasted it.

Stouts have a wonderful ability to really fill the mouth with flavour.

THERE’S nothing quite like a Sassy Red to spice up your day – or that’s what Kiwi brewer Mac’s would have you believe.

Their latest products to reach Australian markets from ‘across the ditch’ is the interestingly named Sassy Red which is intriguing ale full of flavour.

A rich ‘plum’ in colour with a good creamy head, Sassy Red offers up a malt/hop bouquet with just a slight hint of fruitiness.

THERE'S no telling what adventurous Aussie brewers will use to deliver a beer which is different from the rest and the Bridge Road Brewers in Beechmont in Victoria have come up with a beauty.

Their Chestnut Lager is a smooth, creamy lager, full of flavour and body and is very easy to drink.

It is not a bitter beer at all and after my first mouthful, I sat wondering what it was that made this so distinctive.

There was a hint of malts – nah that’s not it, no strong hoppiness – nah, not that either and then it hit as I looked at the label – chestnuts Bob!

WHEN it comes to beer, I am a self-confessed fan of pale ales.

(OK, I’m a self confessed fan of beer but pale ales rank up there with the more ‘desirable’ for me).

Matilda Bay, now brewed in Victorian has a great pale ale in its ranks called Alpha.

Named after the hops used, Alpha Pale Ale has a wonderful fruity, citrus bouquet, a slightly citrus first impression across the palate but leaves the mouth with a slight bitterness.

THE beauty of having your own brewery it that you can ‘experiment’ with new brews.

That’s exactly what has happened with the Burleigh Brewing Company – makers of the Duke range.

Master brewer Brennan Fielding and his wife Peta have come up with a limited release of English Bitter –style drop with the unique title of My Wife’s Bitter.

With a full flavoured body to it, My Wife’s Bitter offers a malty appeal with a hint of caramel in the aftertaste.

It is 4.8 percent alcohol and features Fuggles and East Kent Holdings hops.

WHEN it comes to timing, XXXX couldn’t have done any better with the release of their latest product, Summer Bright Lager.

As the name implies, this beer is designed for the hotter months and offers a clean, crisp and refreshing taste.

It’s also very cunning that the bottle looks a lot like some Mexican beers on the market.

Summer Bright actually offers a bit more then its Mexican counterparts, with a slightly citrus flavour combined with a little bitterness making it a good thirst quencher.

THERE’S nothing like a full-flavoured dark ale to warm the bones when it gets a bit chilly.

Even though the weather is getting warmer, we still get the odd excuse to indulge in cold-weather comfort food and my latest indulgence is White Rabbit Dark Ale from Healesville in Victoria.

Actually the brewery, where White Rabbit is from, only makes one type of beer — and this is it.

White Rabbit is a rich, smooth, full-flavoured, full-bodied dark ale with a great taste of malt and hops.