Epic Lupulingus
This extremely-limited American hopped triple IPA (11 per cent ABV) from Behemoth suggests a certain attitude when it comes to the brewing of such IPAs. I share a similar, somewhat adjacent philosophy, only mine is more ‘screw it let’s drink it’. The nose presents an impermeable wall of ripe fruit aroma, massive tinned pineapple and grapefruit with a background of pine and sticky fruit syrup. The flavour, for all it’s massive strength and vast concentration of hops, actually shows a remarkable restraint. Sharp fresh fruit blends precisely with the rich malt, and before anything can get too sweet, a slow but absolutely unstoppable bitterness gradually eclipses the palate. Without a doubt one of the longest and most profoundly bitter finishes on an IPA that I’ve tasted in a very long time. A religious IPA experience.

Epic Lupulingus Imperial IPA

‘What’s Epic up to these days?’ is something I’ve been wondering recently. While the fate of Epic post-liquidation and purchase by the Russell Group probably warrants deeper investigation, I can confirm that whatever else might be going on, they have re-brewed...

Brothers Beer Nirvana Triple Hazy IPA

The post-Christmas slouch is usually a slow period for new beers, but Brothers have kicked 2025 off with a BANG, with Nirvana, a triple hazy IPA. What better way to begin a new year of reviews! I’ll say up front (and my musical knowledge is admittedly low) I do not...

Fresh Alibi — Meet The New Brewer

Jody Thomas has a beer CV that could fill this website from back to front but her new job as the one and only brewer at Alibi on Waiheke Island is almost like starting over. Thomas has worked in breweries up and down New Zealand as well as in Sydney, Geelong and...

Shining Peak Expand Into Christchurch

New Plymouth's Shining Peak have opened a branch office in Christchurch — setting up a bar and restaurant in the refurbished Sumner Post Office. Shining Peak have been looking for a new venue for some time and briefly looked at opening a venue in Queenstown, but they...

Mr Good Bar — Twofold & St Leonards

The good news is that, despite the occasional bad news, there are great new brew bars are still bubbling up all over the place. In central Auckland, for instance, I came upon two in a single afternoon – a sunny Sunday afternoon on the edge of summer, hope in the air....

Two Experimental Hops In Advanced Trials

Two of NZ Hops Ltd’s experimental hops are in advanced trials this season and they couldn't have asked for a better start. Both NZH-106 and NZH-109 have been selected for advanced growing trials so we’ll see more of those hops in our beers later this year. Andrew...