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.
TOP PICK: Garage Project x Alvarado Street Nelson Sun Club Fresh Hopped IPA
My top pick for 2024, and on a much shorter list for one of the best beers ever. Precise and pristine IPA that intricately balances power and grace.
Urbanaut Atlanta Bright IPA
Session strength IPA that squeezes every ounce of flavour (and then some) out of it’s extremely tight 4.6% ABV.
Southpaw Holy Roller Hoppy Saison
A beautiful and vibrant hybrid of Saison and IPA that really clicked for my palate.
Three Boys NZIPA
A thoroughly modern style and another nail firmly in the coffin within which the ‘Christchurch brewers can’t make good IPA’opinion is interred.
Sprig + Fern The G.O.A.T Doppelbock
Sublime (and sublimely awarded) malt-driven beer that’s (hopefully) inspiring other producers to explore this sometimes forgotten side of brewing.
8 Wired Hopwired 15th Anniversary Edition NZIPA
A profound accomplishment for this legendary beer, and a fantastic NZIPA besides.
Thief IPAARDVARK NZIPA
Terrific NZIPA out of mid-Canterbury nowhere.
Wanaka Beerworks x Beers: Garstonstein Fresh Hop IPA
Another top pick in an extremely strong year for fresh hop beers, and the first to raise my attention to what Garston hops were up to.
Pacific Coast Beach Break Pilsner
Exceptionally precise pilsner at an incredibly low ABV. Fingers crossed to see this brewed again after the brewery’s liquidation.
Behemoth Fresh Prince of Mt Eden Fresh Hop IPA
One of my top picks from the year’s (massive) crop of fresh hop beers. A solo Nelson Sauvin (by way of Southland) masterpiece.