Superdelic — the most recent commercial hop variety released by NZ Hops Ltd — is proving a winner, defying the global downturn in hop demand with the 2025 harvest completely sold out.
Superdelic was released in 2023 and in its third full season there was three times as much grown as last year — and it was all sold before harvest. And this is despite NZ Hops Ltd having to reduce its overall crop by 25% to match global demand.
“A clear highlight of the season was the continued rise of Superdelic,” said NZ Hops Ltd in their annual harvest report released today.
“With an expanded planting footprint in 2025 and the entire crop selling out before harvest, it’s clear that Superdelic is cementing its status as one of our most exciting commercial offerings. Production volume has tripled from 2024 to 2025, reflecting surging demand, and additional plantings are already underway to meet projected 2026 needs.”
While production increased for Superdelic, that was an outlier, with the co-operative noting other varieties had to be cut back.
“NZ Hops scaled back production this year by circa 25% including some of our biggest varieties to help play our part in rebalancing the well documented supply, demand imbalance the industry has been experiencing in recent times,” said NZ Hops Ltd chief executive Blair Stewart.
The report added: “Our growers made coordinated, proactive decisions to moderate supply of overproduced varieties. This included a cooperative-wide approach to fallowing through non-stringing, executed early and evenly across our network. This initiative not only aligned supply with demand but also generated notable efficiencies across fuel, labour, and fertiliser inputs —demonstrating the strength of collective action.”
The weather helped a lot
The weather — a mild winter, warm spring, a wet start to summer and some late heat — ensured high quality crops, with the alpha acid content of the hops 5% higher on average.
“Classic heirloom varieties like Riwaka and Motueka thrived, as did newer cultivars including Nectaron and Superdelic, which showed vigorous growth with minimal crop stress. Beneficial predator mites effectively controlled two-spotted mite populations, eliminating the need for any late-season miticides. This contributed to strong yields, particularly for Nelson Sauvin, which benefitted from extended and varied pick windows across our four distinct growing regions.
“Right from our initial pre-harvest maturity tests, it was clear we were heading into something special. Early signs pointed to high alpha and beta acid development and the fields didn’t disappoint. As bales rolled in, those early indicators were confirmed across the board, with standout cone quality and impressive oil content and aroma appearing for many key hops.
“On average, alpha acids saw an increase of over 5% on last season, with several key varieties surpassing expectations and setting a new benchmark for quality. This season’s smaller harvest schedule aligned well with crop maturity, allowing growers to comfortably manage picking windows and seamlessly shift focus to the next hop variety as it ripened.
“With strong yields, generally good picking conditions, and outstanding chemistry in the cones, the 2025 harvest will go down as an excellent crop, poised to deliver exceptional brews.”
The stars of the harvest
NZ Hops nominated three varieties as stand-outs:
“The top three standout varieties in terms of hop aroma this season were Motueka, Superdelic and Wai-iti which scored an equal number of ‘Wow’ ratings in the NZ Hops Ltd internal sensory assessments
“Motueka delivered a bright and refreshing citrus-forward aroma, led by vibrant lime and classic mojito lime character. In the background, subtle herbal notes evoke green tea and bergamot vibes, bringing a smooth, balanced complexity to this year’s crop.
“Superdelic delivered a perfumed aroma profile, led by bold candy-like sweetness reminiscent of gumdrops and fruit lollies. Juicy berry notes of blueberry were evident and underpinning the fruitiness is a bright layer of woody citrus, adding structure and depth. The result is a uniquely expressive hop with a nostalgic candy-shop charm.
“Wai-iti, which is not always the first choice for brewer selections surprised quite a few customers with a complex bouquet of fresh lemon grass, grapefruit and subtle sweet tea notes delivering a very fresh hop profile which impressed on the selection tables.”
NZH-109 and other trial hops
Based on overwhelmingly positive brewer feedback, NZ Hops Ltd increased production of two standout trial varieties: NZH-106 and NZH-109. Both have shown strong international interest for their brewing versatility and unique aroma profiles. These hops will feature prominently in the 2025 Bract Brewing Programme, with more brewers incorporating them into a broader range of beer styles.
Parrotdog co-founder Matt Warner is a big fan of NZH-109, brewing two fresh hop beers with that variety this season; a pilsner and a hazy IPA.
“The dominant characters are juicy peach, stone fruit and white grape or white wine,” Warner said.
“We have brewed with it four times — fresh hop pilsner, fresh hop hazy IPA, bright IPA, hazy IPA. It works really well in hazies with the juicy stone fruit and tropical characters.
“The white grape and white wine notes seem to come out more in bright beers. There’s a very slight peppery spice note in the finish too.
“Overall, I’m really impressed. It seems to have gotten even better in the space of one extra season’s growing too!”
NZH-106 and NZH-109 will be joined by three more new hops in the Bract Brewing Programme this year: NZH-111, NZH-112, and NZH-115.
“These promising varieties made their sensory debut to commercial brewers at Harfest, and we can’t wait to see what they bring to the table,” said NZ Hops.