“I think it’s a little bugbear of mine that a lot of people demand or seem to want “dank”. I think dank is not necessarily a fresh hop characteristic and to expect lots of it in a fresh hop beer is, I think, sometimes misguided.” Michael Donaldson on one of the common misconceptions of fresh hop beers.

Welcome to a special, guest-free episode of the Third Pint Theory podcast! In this session, hosts Michael Donaldson and Martin Bridges are flying solo—accompanied only by Martin’s dog, Luna—to dive headfirst into an extensive fresh hop tasting. Fresh off his experience judging the Behemoth fresh hop competition, where he sampled more than 10 different fresh hop beers back-to-back, Martin boldly declares that, despite the sheer volume of releases flooding the market, this is the best year he has ever seen in terms of overall quality.

The episode serves as a masterclass in understanding what makes a fresh hop beer truly great. The hosts kick things off by praising the ParrotDog Fresh Hop Pilsner and a weighty, oily New Zealand IPA from Duncan’s called Kemical Romance, before tackling a common misconception in the craft beer community. Michael expresses his frustration with consumers who constantly demand “dank” characteristics, explaining that true fresh hop magic is more about a unique, sticky mouthfeel and a vibrant flavor integration rather than harsh, grassy chlorophyll. The duo highlights how the best beers this year, like the competition-winning St. Leonards Riwaka West Coast Pilsner, perfectly balance these elements without becoming astringent.

Beyond the tasting notes, Michael and Martin pull back the curtain on the harsh logistical realities of the fresh hop season. They reveal a massive hurdle breweries faced this year: a sudden change in how air freight pricing is calculated, shifting from weight-based to volumetric. Because fresh hop cones are very light but take up massive amounts of physical space, shipping them across the country has become exorbitantly expensive, putting a massive financial strain on brewers trying to participate in the season. Grab your favorite seasonal release and enjoy this deep dive into the fleeting magic of fresh hops!

The beers that the team tasted in this episode were: