Sprig and Fern trifecta fresh hop hazy

Fresh Hop Watch 2022 is finally underway, and I just found my first packaged release.  This hazy pale (5.5 per cent ABV) features a combo of fresh hops — Pacifica, Taiheke and Motueka — from growers Kentishman Hops and Mac Hops.  Profoundly pithy citrus and crushed green herbs in the aroma, with a leafy herbaceous note creeping in on the palate.  The ultra-low bitterness really exposes all the quirky green notes that define a fresh hop.  May have fared better without the hazy treatment IMO, but still a nice warmup to tasting the season.

Spirit Of Derelict Lives On At No 19 Brewing

by | July 17, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

The win by No 19 Brewing in the NZ Stout Challenge on July 11 in Christchurch has a direct connection to one of the country’s most celebrated but short-lived breweries: the newcomers are creating their beer on the brew kit once owned by Derelict. No 19 Brewing are...
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Wilding Working Wonders For The Wilderness

by | July 16, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Kudos to the team at Froth Technologies for the work they’re doing with their New Zealand native yeast, Wilding. I’ve always enjoyed the handful of beers where Wilding has turned up: notably the first brew Emerson’s did to showcase the yeast as well as Three Sisters...
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Flood Shuts Emporium Brewing

by | July 15, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Emporium Brewing in Kaikoura will be closed until further notice following the devastating flood that roared through the town last week. Owner-brewer Paul Finney has just had insurance assessors through the premises which includes a brewery, bar, escape rooms, and a...
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Garage Project Top Cutter NZIPA

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

The Smith’s NZIPA challenge concluded for another year last weekend, and some of the entries are already hitting the shelves in package.  While not one of the notable winners (go South Island Brewing!), this entry from Wellington’s Garage Project was the first of the...
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8 Wired Rogue & Villian ESB

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Though I daren’t speak it too loud for fear of jinxing it, this has (so far) been something of a revival year for ESB, with even flash North Island brewers giving it a go. Rogue & Villain is the latest such release, from one of said flash North Island brewers,...
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Boneface The Darkness American Stout

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Boneface have a new (or old, actually) dark beer out for the winter months, with a classic of the old ownership's core range, The Darkness (5.8% ABV), making a fresh appearance.  While the original bore the style of ‘India Stout’ the ever-shifting naming conventions...
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