Photographer, beer-lover and Instagram influencer Dusty, picks his highlights from the latest releases.
Urbanaut La Grande
Urbanaut brewing slay the summer game here with their 4.8% La Grande lager with lime. Classic Saaz & trad Czech malt set up one crushable lager with floral citrus notes melding seamlessly on a honey, cracker base, that limey vibe gives it a lively Mexi twist! How goods a 500ml sud tube as well!
8 Wired Manta Watch
Gliding into 2026 with 8 Wired Manta Watch, a 4.8% Pacific Pale Ale colab with Manta Watch, an organization looking out for the world’s largest rays. Notes of pineapple, melon, mandarin on a lithe body lead into a effervescent carb, refreshing asf is an understatement. Built for beach days and supporting rays.
Thief’s Gold Lager
Fresh outta the 03 comes Thief Brewing’s latest summer suddy Thief’s Gold, a 4% lager. Saaz, Hallertau Tradition & Wakatu deliver light bright citrus pops alongside greeny floral & spice notes, fresh warm bready notes courtesy of Pilsner malt tie together a dangerously quaffable brew.
Baylands Carrot Hunter
A nod to the fish carrot (gurnard) Carrot Hunter is 6.2% IPA from Petone squad Baylands Brewery, a mesmerizing orangey copper hue leads into dominant notes of tangy citrus. Mouthfeel is juiced up with an oily component alongside a prickly carb, all backed up by a sweet malt bill, no gimmicks no bs just a smashable IPA.
Canyon Pivot
Pivot, a 6.5% WCIPA from Queenstown’s Canyon Brewing, screams absolute ol skool westie straight from its ruby red hue, loaded with C-hops, plus Simcoe, it sets the tone for piney apricot grapefruit orange notes with an assertive bitterness sticky mouthfeel all sitting above a robust malt platform, a true pivot back to where IPA began.
Garage Project Manu
Manu is a 4.8% Blonde Ale from Welly locals Garage Project. This has summer stunner written all over it with light touches of lemon, lime and floral meets sweet biscuity malt on a spritzy carb. Crisp, clean and perfect pool side. Nails that summer brief.
Punkheads Hammer Head
New sud tube from 09 outfit Punkheads Brewing, a WC Pilsner featuring Citra Pacifica & Chinook in the hop department. Zesty lemony-orange plays alongside splashes of subtle tropical notes — think peach and overripe pineapple. A drying floral finish completes a tasty example of the style.
Sawmill Big Sur IPA
A highlight of the end 2025 and main stay in the summer of 2026 is Sawmill Big Sur, a 6.5% WCIPA. True westy this that encapsulates the trad style impeccably. A gruff bitterness upfront meets resonant nutty malt delivering the platform for zesty citrus (grapefruit, orange) to shine. Highly recommend this absolute heater!
