Lakeman

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.

The Beer Project — Lakeman Brewing

by | March 20, 2026 | Features | 0 Comments

You can thank local government regulation for the existence of Lakeman, a brewery located on a farm 20 minutes west of Taupo. Farmer James Cooper didn't expect to become a brewer. He had never home-brewed. But regulations basically imposing herd size limits to prevent...
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Three Sisters Buy Sunshine Brewing

by | March 19, 2026 | Cover Story, News | 0 Comments

Bold New Plymouth brewery Three Sisters is the new owner of Gisborne's iconic Sunshine Brewing. It's an unprecedented move in the New Zealand brewing industry with one craft brewery buying another. Recently DNA Brewing in Blenheim bought the Hop Federation brand but...
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Hemp And Hops Align

by | March 19, 2026 | Cover Story, Features | 0 Comments

It’s all about balance – that’s what Andy Duke at b.effect says about his latest brewing escapades. Down in Wānaka, he’s been using hemp in a number of b.efect beers, which gives new flavour profiles, adds body to gluten-free beers, and has resulted in some delicious,...
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Roots Brewing — Small But Mighty

by | March 19, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Back in the early 1900s, Whanganui wasn’t just lively as New Zealand’s 5th largest city — it was one of Aotearoa’s great beer strongholds, proudly home to 13 breweries. Thirteen! Then came decades of closures, mergers, and the lure of jobs elsewhere, and one by one...
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Kotare Hops — Quality Is The Key

by | March 19, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

Champion hop grower Aeron Moleta believes the recent dip in demand for hops has bottomed out and feels positive for the future. “It's going in the right direction,” Aeron tells Pursuit of Hoppiness just ahead of this year’s harvest. “I think the of consensus seems to...
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Fermented Culture — Is The Party Over?

by | March 16, 2026 | Opinion | 0 Comments

Some years ago, I found myself wandering through St Clair in South Dunedin. I stopped to sit awhile taking in the view and taking off the weight. The roadside bench I perched upon was formed by a mini surfboard-shaped seat set upon a pair of sturdy legs. St Clair is a...
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