Since it began with that outrageous 15% Hazy IPA, these seasonal mini-imperials in 250ml cans from Urbanaut have become one of my favorite series of beers.  Saison is a style that scales up comfortably, getting up around the 8% mark in the strongest examples, but a full 10% is not something I’ve never encountered before.  Big fruity esters adorn the nose, peach starburst lollies, delicate orange citrus, with coriander and white pepper adding some spice.  Sweet pithy citrus ahead of gently warming spice and a hint of ginger on the palate.  Remarkably medium-bodied considering the strength, with fairly low bitterness and a long complex finish.  An excellent drop, and a fine demonstration of how adaptable and robust the saison style is.

Port Road Pilsner Supreme Winner At NWBCA

The 2026 New World Beer & Cider Awards have been announced with Panhead's Port Road Pilsner named the supreme winner. It's a welcome return to the awards stage for this beer — for a number of years it was an annual inclusion in this event (and a regular gold...

Hop Growers Start Their Own Brewery

New Zealand’s newest brewery belongs to one of our most prominent hop growers. Cultivar Brewing, owned by Mac Hops, is taking over the site previously home to Hop Federation and will be run by hop farmer Brent McGlashan alongside his wife Ria. Former Hop Federation...

Derelict Are Back!

When Derelict Brewing unexpectedly closed down in 2024 after just six years in business, much of it as New Zealand’s top-ranked brewery on Untappd, it was scarcely believable. Owner-brewer Sam Cottier had created so many incredible beers in such a short time it felt...

Magic Week For Neck Of The Woods

In the space of six days, start-up brewery Neck Of The Woods went from virtually unknown to the toast of Tauranga after winning the title of Champion Microbrewery at the New Zealand Beer Awards and then winning the Golden Gumboot at The Malthouse West Coast IPA...

Not Such A Nutty Idea

This is an intriguing development — cashew nuts in beer to approximate the creamy texture you might normally get from lactose. That’s what 8 Wired did when they collaborated with Wellington plant-based chocolatier Wonderland to create Talia, an imperial chocolate...

Leading Malt Producer Celebrates 100 Years

Joe White Maltings, Australia's largest malt producer, is celebrating 100 years of specialty malt production. The milestone reflects a century of innovation, quality and collaboration, supporting generations of brewers on both sides of the Tasman with premium...