8 Wired Superconductor

After tasting a few disappointing examples of IPAs utilising Yakima Chief’s all-in-one cryo-hop blend, I was beginning to build up a bit of speculation towards it.  But, if anyone can make an IPA work then it’s Epic, so I’ll go in hopeful once again.  Golden peach and guava lead the nose, with sweet orange citrus and some surprising strawberry fondant further back.  There’s grapefruit juice and strong orange rind on the palate, with more heavily ripe peach emerging before an absolutely belting bitterness slaps across the finish.  While I still think the Cryo-Pop blend lacks a bit of lift and zing, a big (6.9%), bright and bitter IPA like this is definitely where it does its best work.

8 Wired Superconductor Double IPA

by | December 18, 2025 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Christmas has come early for me this year, as Warkworth’s 8-Wired has revived one of their (and very much one of my own) all time classic beers.  Superconductor Double IPA (8.8%) channels a similar energy to its legendary stablemate Hopwired, with sumptuous aromas of...
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The Start Up Series — DNA Brewing

by | December 18, 2025 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

This is the third instalment in a series dedicated to breweries that have opened up since the Covid-19 pandemic. The past five years have been tough for those in the brewing industry. The data is there: higher costs, lower consumer spend, alternative drinks. All are...
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The Start Up Series — Coromandel Town Supply

by | December 17, 2025 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

This is the second chapter in a series dedicated to breweries that have opened up since the Covid-19 pandemic. The past five years have been tough for those in the brewing industry. The data is there: higher costs, lower consumer spend, alternative drinks. All are...
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The Start Up Series — Renegade Brewing

by | December 16, 2025 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

This is the first in a series dedicated to breweries that have opened up since the Covid-19 pandemic. The past five years have been tough for those in the brewing industry. The data is there: higher costs, lower consumer spend, alternative drinks. All are eating into...
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Beers Of The Year 2025

by | December 15, 2025 | Features | 0 Comments

There were some standouts and commonalities when the Pursuit of Hoppiness team compiled their beers of the year for 2025. An overwhelming favourite was Emerson's Pride of The Plains Pilsner, the 30th anniversary rebrew of the genre-defining NZ-style pilsner that...
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Three Sisters Expand Into Wellington

by | December 12, 2025 | News, Travel | 0 Comments

New Plymouth brewery Three Sisters is expanding into Wellington, taking over the site that was once home to Black Dog brewery in Blair Street. It's a massive step for a small provincial brewery but comes with the support of their shareholders and off the back of a...
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