We’ve asked the Pursuit of Hoppiness writers to come up with their top picks for the beers of the year. Between us the aim is to have exactly 100 beers.
It’s always a pleasant surprise to look back at the end of the year and remember some of the amazing beers that passed my lips. It was particularly tough to whittle down my long list to just 10. I tried really hard to stick to my “one beer per brewery” rule, but this year I had to make an exception.
Top Pick McLeods Forest Of Giants West Coast IPA
By far the most memorable beer I’ve had in the last year. Absolutely nailed the style to my mind – firm bitterness over a lovely malt cushion with hops popping off the top. Even better than their Malthouse WCIPA Challenge People’s Choice beer, which is saying something.
Saint Leonards Gambrinus Weizenbock
Many people will know that I am not a big fan of German wheat beers, but this blew me away at Beervana. A colab brew with the tiny Riverhead Cottage brewery, it has lashings of caramelized banana on the palate and a gorgeous interplay of malt & yeast.
Derelict Predator Black IPA
Like many drinkers I was sad to see Derelict shut up shop this year. I will miss them almost as much as I miss outstanding Black IPAs like this one. Rich, dank and hoppy – it ticks all my boxes.
Garage Project Swifty
An awesome ”drinking beer”. Uncomplicated, tasty & refreshing.
Beer Baroness Madame Brown
Bring back hoppy brown ales!
Pacific Coast Tapawera Pils
Another from the lost brewery files — stunningly bright hop character.
Behemoth Saturation of Citra IPA
Amongst the vast array of Behemoth hazies, shining gems like this stand out.
Wilderness Wild Fire
Colab brew with Cell Division, a beer with a backstory almost as intriguing as the beer itself.
Duncans Real Fruit Ice Cream Cake
Again, not a style I normally go for but all the elements came together so well in this.
McLeods Big Brum Dark Mild
Had to break my one brewery rule for this one. Part of the resurgence of Dark Mild, and the best of the bunch for me.