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.

Fermented Culture — After The Fall

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

An email comes crashing through the ether like Arnold Schwarzenegger on a motorbike shouting come with me if you want to drink… “I write to you my Friends from the Past in the 9th month of the year of our lord 2036. The changes we have seen over the last decade seem...
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Continued Consolidation with Volstead Takeover

by | June 12, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

The group behind Christchurch’s small and experimental Concept Brewing have taken over the larger Volstead Trading Co and brewery, continuing the consolidation of the industry that’s been the trend of the past year. And the owners are joined by American Steve Sloan,...
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Globe-trotting Kiwi Brewer Sets Up In Singapore

by | June 12, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Nick Calder-Scholes the Kiwi brewer behind the phenomenal success of Sydney’s One Drop is now head brewer at the just-opened People People Brewing Co. in Singapore. He talks about his global journey. Nick Calder-Scholes spent his teenage summers in Nelson picking...
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Instagratification: Dusty’s Fresh Hop Faves

by | June 11, 2026 | Opinion | 0 Comments

Photographer, beer-lover and Instagram influencer Dusty, picks his highlights from the latest releases. Brave Helping Hands IPA One of my anticipated fresh hop releases, the 2026 edition of Helping Hands from Hawke’s Bay locals Brave Brewing features late harvest...
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Urbanaut Harmonie Hazy Belgian IPA

by | June 9, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

An argument could be made that the first hazy beer was Belgian.  With its low bitterness, restrained malt character and (depending on one’s pour) distinct opacity, it shares more than a few similarities.  IPA on the other hand can make no such comparison,...
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Garage Project Harvest Home

by | June 9, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Just when you think you’re out, fresh hop season pulls you back in… Garage Project Harvest Home, an encore of the harvest, comes from their awards powerhouse, Wild Workshop.  Brewed with raw (unmalted) wheat and pilsner malt, and flavoured with coriander seed and yen...
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