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 Rogue & Villian ESB

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Though I daren’t speak it too loud for fear of jinxing it, this has (so far) been something of a revival year for ESB, with even flash North Island brewers giving it a go. Rogue & Villain is the latest such release, from one of said flash North Island brewers,...
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Boneface The Darkness American Stout

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

Boneface have a new (or old, actually) dark beer out for the winter months, with a classic of the old ownership's core range, The Darkness (5.8% ABV), making a fresh appearance.  While the original bore the style of ‘India Stout’ the ever-shifting naming conventions...
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Epic Coming Of Age Imperial Stout

by | July 8, 2026 | Recommended | 0 Comments

With their momentous 20th anniversary just been, Auckland's Epic Brewing have found another reason to celebrate, with this 21st birthday imperial stout (10% ABV).  Brewed to stand on its own as a classic stout, it contains no adjuncts or flavourings, just full-on malt...
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NZ Brewers Frustrated at Unfair Export Burden

by | July 3, 2026 | Cover Story, News | 0 Comments

Kiwi brewers are frustrated at the political inaction that’s leaves them at a huge disadvantage when selling their beer in Australia. Australian breweries get a $400,000-a-year excise tax rebate and New Zealand breweries argue they should get the same relief under the...
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The Beer Project — Urbanaut

by | July 1, 2026 | Cover Story, Features | 0 Comments

Working with a hangover is never fun, even if you're a brewer. The effects of Urbanaut's belated Christmas party at Sawmill the day before are apparent on the brew crew as they get stuck into their work one day in late January. Head brewer and co-founder, Bruce...
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The Hoptimist — Neon, Lactose & A Missing T-shirt

by | June 26, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

There’s a rumour that somewhere out there exists a t‑shirt emblazoned with “Dean Moses” in full 1980s neon arcade, sci‑fi, vaporwave glory — perfectly aligned with the aesthetic branding of Wellington’s Mean Doses Brewery and taproom. There’s another rumour linking...
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