This year’s fresh hop release must be up with one of the best ever…so many great beers for us hop-heads! Bayland’s Brewing have hit one out of the park with their 2021 offering: Waifly 7. I’m super impressed with how dank this beer is. Lots of those rich resinous, grassy flavours we come to expect from our green hop heroes. Gooseberry and passionfruit aromas leap out of the glass which is a sure sign that Nelson Sauvin are involved; this hop quickly becoming my favourite this season. Another unique characteristic is the light mouthfeel. The beer is slightly lighter-bodied than other fresh hop heavyweights but I feel that it improves drinking experience and you certainly don’t lose any of the oily goodness. Carbonation is on the lower side but is to be expected from fresh-hopped, West Coast IPA. For me this beer showcases Nelson’s favourite hop perfectly and a real credit to the team at Bayland’s Brewing in Petone.