“BORDERLINE” BEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21985, 21 June 1933, Page 4

“BORDERLINE” BEER

ON SALE IN NEW ZEALAND At least one brewery in New’ Zealand is following in American footsteps, and producing what is known ns “ Nearbeer.” This brewery, which is situated in Auckland, is makingborderline ” malt beverages, which are sold in lounges and in various fruit and confectionery shops. One may buy lager ale and stout, all of which contain 3 per cent, of alcohol, thus coming within the Customs Department definition of “hop beer.” In all respects, except the percentage of alcohol, the drinks are the same as one samples in an hotel bar. The law determining what is and what is not beer, stout, or lager is laid down in the Finance Act, 1915, section 73. There it is stated that “ hop beer means a fermented beverage containing bops and any extract thereof, and containing not more than 3 per centum of proof spirit. . . . Any fermented beverage containing hops or any extract thereof and containing more than 3 per centum of proof spirit shall be deemed to be beer.” The “borderline” beverages are (a Christchurch paper says) only slightly, less potent than America’s legal drink—--3.2 per cent. beer.