Way down south...

We thought it would be a good time to look at the two new beers, and recap on a few of other South American brews in Pierhead's portfolio (we're including Mexico) that we have tasted previously.

the beers

Cerveza Patagonia, Imported Blonde Ale (Argentina) Brewed under Bavarian purity laws from "100% pure malted barley, hops, yeast, and water," Patagonia's blonde beer pours a pale gold with a good, persistent white head. On the nose there's a touch of toffee and puffed candy, before quite clean, light, citrus and hop notes. In the mouth this is fairly rich and full, with a hint of sweetness and then the cool., lemony character and modest hops leave the finish quite refreshing. 4.5% ABV, 35.5cl, �1.50, pampasplains.co.uk, .

Kross, Pisner Lager (Chile) Kross beers are recent arrivals from Chile onto Uk shores, thanks to the adventurous portfolio of importer Pierhead Purchasing. Kross is a German-owned, independent microbrewery, and this lager-style beer pours a fairly deep golden colour with a fluffy white head. On the nose there are pretty inviting notes of barley sugar, orange and some malty depth, along with a nicely aromatic twist of hops. On the palate the grassy, slightly nettly hop quality is good, giving this a dry, savoury appeal, with hints of that sweet malt, but a balanced, lingering finish. 4.9% ABV, 33cl, �1.25, .

Quilmes, Imported Beer (Argentina) There's a lightly malty, slightly honeyed note on the nose of this golden-coloured beer, followed by a nice sense of mellow nuttiness. On the palate it has a broad, expansive character with a fruity, dry flavour and rich texture. Not particularly distinctive, but enjoyable. 4.9% ABV, 33cl, 24 X �22.99, Peckhams, , , Surf4beer.

Kaiser (Bravara), Xingu Black Beer (Brazil) The name Xingu (pronounced 'shin-goo') is a tributary of the Amazon River. This black lager takes its colour from the roasted malts used in its production, and pours with a thick, tan-coloured head. That roasted quality doesn't dominate the nose however, which has just a touch of toasted grain and a hint of chocolate, in otherwise quite a clean, slightly citrus profile. In the mouth this has quite a full texture, and the immediate impression if of sweetness. The sweet flavour continues through the mid-palate, though some of the dark roasted malt and a nice hint of bitter hops does begin to cut a way through. An unusual style, certainly more lager than stout, and though slightly too sweet for my palate, quite enjoyable. 4.5% ABV, 35cl, �1.39, Beersofeurope, .

Teres�polis, Lokal Beer (Brazil) (RP) Brazilian interpretation of a Pilsner with a rich malt and cornflour aroma and hints of citrus fruit and floral hops. Crisp and quenching in the mouth, with a pleasing balance of juicy malt and gentle hops. The finish has surprising length, with a malty/grainy base, lemon fruit and a light but persistent bitter hop note. A good refresher. 4.7% ABV, 35cl, �1.09, Beersofeurope, .

Cervecer�a Mexicana, Mexicali (Mexico) Owned by Coors, Cervecer�a Mexicana operates from Tecate in Mexico. This lager comes in a clear glass bottle. It pours pale- to medium gold with a moderate white head. There's a big blast of slightly sulphury, struck match character, with corn and some bready notes. On the palate there is a certain sweetness, but it certainly improves on the nose, with plenty of fruity notes and a citrussy lift into the finish. This is pretty clean and crisp, and whilst it does little to distinguish itself, it is not a bad lager. 5.0% ABV, 33cl, �1.29, Beersofeurope, .

Cervecer�a Mexicana, Potro (Mexico) Firstly a word about the packaging of this Mexican beer, which comes in one of the most striking bottles in the beer universe. That sets the beer up for a fall surely, you might think, but no, Potro is a stout-like beer (officially described as a Porter by brewer Cerveceria Mexicana) that has plenty to commend it. The colour is a dark, burnt toffee, with a very thin tan-coloured head. The nose is surprisingly crisp, and although there is plenty of roasted, cracked wheat and toast there is also something cherryish and bright, with a herbal and fruity character. On the palate there is a clove-like, slightly medicinal note, and plenty more of those roasted grain flavours, but this beer is only medium- to full-bodied, and the crisp, refreshing red berry fruitiness comes through on the finish to leave it dry and appetisingly moreish. Don't come here looking for a big, sumptuous, velvety beer, but in its fairly unique style it is very successful. 4.7% ABV, 50cl, �2.00, Onlyfinebeer, .

Cervecer�a Mexicana, Red Pig Mexican Ale (Mexico) This Mexican ale pours a fairly deep bronze colour with a tinge of amber and a thinnish off-white head. The nose has plenty of caramel and biscuit richness, with a suggestion of a fudge-like quality and plummy red fruit aromas. In the mouth this has a pleasant hop bitterness, with much more tang and resinous hop quality than the nose suggests, touch of caramel sweetness that is still there being easily dominated by crisp lemony acidity and the slightly spicy, slightly floral hops. A very nice drop this. 5.0% ABV, 35.5cl, �1.39, Beersofeurope, .

Cervecer�a Mexicana, Special Dark Beer (Mexico) Basically a dark lager, this pours a treacle brown colour with a moderate, fast-dissipating off-white head. Aromas are of malt and toasted grains, with a bit of burnt toffee and not much in the way of hops. On the palate there's quite an orangy tang to the flavour, but it is mostly about those toasty, roasted flavours playing against an inherent sweetness in the beer. Though it doesn't really power through to the finish, this has decent balance and though a tad too sweet for my taste, is not a bad drop. 5.0% ABV, 35.5cl, �1.25, Beersofeurope, .