Sprig and Fern trifecta fresh hop hazy

Fresh Hop Watch 2022 is finally underway, and I just found my first packaged release.  This hazy pale (5.5 per cent ABV) features a combo of fresh hops — Pacifica, Taiheke and Motueka — from growers Kentishman Hops and Mac Hops.  Profoundly pithy citrus and crushed green herbs in the aroma, with a leafy herbaceous note creeping in on the palate.  The ultra-low bitterness really exposes all the quirky green notes that define a fresh hop.  May have fared better without the hazy treatment IMO, but still a nice warmup to tasting the season.

Exploring Vancouver’s historic Brewery Creek

by | June 24, 2026 | Cover Story, Travel | 0 Comments

It's 12 years between drinks in Vancouver, but I'm finally back at one of my favourite taprooms. In late 2014, Brassneck Brewery was just a year old, but it's now transitioned from craft beer pioneer to a community hub for the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Brassneck's...
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Don’t Fear The Dark — How To Enjoy Stout

by | June 22, 2026 | Cover Story | 0 Comments

In 15 years writing and talking about beer, I’ve learned the style that most surprises people — once they give it a chance — is stout. The fear is about the “weight” of the beer — that it’ll be “heavy” and/or high in alcohol. Or it’s a fear based on a fledgling sip of...
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Price of Beer: Paying More Might Be Worth It

by | June 17, 2026 | Opinion | 0 Comments

Inflation, that invisible bandit, has been nicking coins out of our pockets faster than you can say “another round, please.” It’s no wonder we wince when we see the price of beer these days. The old “cheap as chips” supermarket beer now looks like a bargain bin...
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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 | News | 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 | Features | 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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