Hop Federation has been saved.
After the brewery was shuttered by previous owners Kono just a couple of months ago, Hop Federation will live on after Blenheim’s DNA Brewing stepped in and bought the brand.
It’s a huge win-win for Hop Federation, and their loyal drinkers, as well as DNA, which is building into a big player in the craft scene.
As part of the acquisition, Hop Federation production will move to DNA’s state-of-the-art Blenheim facility — ensuring the brand remains firmly rooted in the top of the South while preserving the distinctive identity, quality, and brewing philosophy that have defined Hop Federation since its inception.
Hop Federation will continue to operate as an independent brand within DNA’s portfolio.
Hop Federation founder Simon Nicholas, who had previously sold it to Kono, will stay with the brand.
DNA was founded by Dave Nicholls (ex Tui, Heineken, Moa) and winemaker Ant Moore.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Hop Federation into the DNA family,” said Nicholls. “DNA and Hop Federation complement each other in all the right ways, and having brewed some of their beers between 2021-2023, we’ve gained a real understanding for what makes their brews exceptional.”
Moore added: “Before Dave and I started DNA, I always enjoyed Hop Fed as my go-to local craft beer. It’s awesome that we can now collaborate with Simon and keep the dream alive.”
Nicholas will take the role of head brewer and the face of the brand. He will also oversee the transition of ownership to ensure the process is seamless and respectful of Hop Federation’s loyal community.
“This is business as usual for Hop Federation,” Nicholas emphasised. “There are no plans to change anything. The beers customers know, and love will continue exactly as they are.”
Following completion of the acquisition, DNA Brewing’s first priority is to meet with Hop Federation’s current customers. Meetings scheduled for next week will ensure continued strong relationships and a smooth transition.
Kono said they were pleased with the outcome.
“We’re stoked that Hop Federation’s story continues and that it remains in the Top of the South. The brand has always stood for top-tier, hop-forward brews, and we’re excited to see that legacy live on in the hands of the new owners,” said Marina Hirst Tristram, Kono general manager.
The concept of running multiple brands out of one production facility has been tried (and generally without success) in the past as it’s usually been partnerships rather than ownership, but Nicholls sees this kind of consolidation as an inevitable step in New Zealand’s brewing maturity.
“I can see the market changing like this, with more mergers and acquisitions — consolidation rather than breweries just shutting up shop. I do think there’s too much stainless in the country and this will be a way of making things more efficient for everyone.”
Nicholas is rapt the brand will continue. He and his wife Nicki started it when they moved to Riwaka from Auckland in 2013 and took over the old Monkey Wizard brewery that is now home to Aliment.
They sold to Kono in 2020.
“As soon as the word got out that Kono were shutting their doors, Dave got hold of me pretty bloody quickly, which is quite neat. Yeah, so I’m happy that the brand lives on as I’m pretty passionate about it.
“Like I said to you before, I was pretty gutted that the brand was potentially going to just finish up after all the hard effort that Nicki and myself did when we first started.
“I didn’t want it to disappear, so to be asked by Dave to come and join them and carry on doing what we’ve been doing, is pretty neat.”