“Big Job is a BIG beer, jammed with as many big hops as we could get our hands on and packed full of tropical grapefruit and juicy blackcurrant flavours. If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing!”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Gorgeous bright golden pour with a short white cap perched on top. The head quickly forms a collar with healthy lacing as it ebbs.

Aroma: It’s super fruity – as expected – but it’s not your typical shortlist for a big IPA. We’re picking up lychee, canned peach, papaya, starfruit, passionfruit and guava. Mandarin and tangerine also. The malt profile is pretty ambiguous too… honeysuckle, a hint of toast and toffee apple. It’s bloody unique we’ll give it that.

Flavour: Don’t know where to begin. We get too much of the 7.2% ABV for a start. There are a few decent jabs of orange citrus upfront and a muddled mix of exotic fruits in support. The malt bill is pretty clean but we feel in a highly hopped, juiced up IPA like this the malt needs a bit of bottom end…a bit more rich sweetness to counterbalance. Aggressive booze burn and bitterness into a dry, fruity and acidic finish.

Mouthfeel: Sharp, prickly, warming. Medium body with effervescent Co2. The 7.2% ABV is far too pronounced for our liking.

Overall: We feel they’re trying too hard to be American here. We absolutely love English IPA. We love them with some American influence even more. SOME American influence. They’ve just got completely lost in the sauce unfortunately.

“Rich toffee and treacle malt backbone is exploded with hops.  The highly sought after American hop varieties Simcoe,  and Mosaic are counterbalanced by Aussie grown Cascade, and Galaxy hops. Grapefruit, melon, bubble gum and passionfruit flavours come through and a soft but robust bitterness rounds out the picture.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Copper red pour with a kiss of pink through it. It constructs a two finger head which retains well. Lots of thick blotchy lacing clings to the glass as it subsides.

Aroma: Seems a little shy. There’s a good amount of character in here but it takes a vigorous swirl of the glass to lift it out. Strikes us as a malt-forward red IPA…displaying an earthy toffee sweetness, woody spice and dried leaves below a restrained hop profile of red berries, pine, ruby grapefruit, light herbals and tangerine. Not a bad aroma it’s just too muted.

Flavour: The intensity it lacks in aroma is kinda made up for here. It’s still notably malt-forward with the hops playing 2nd fiddle. Sticky toffee, caramels, earthy/woody notes and burnt biscuits dominate the subdued fruitiness from the hops. Some faint herbals, grapefruit, black pepper and florals present as it all rolls into a pretty lackluster finish which continues to dry out on the back palate.

Mouthfeel: Sticky, chewy, gelatinous. Medium body and Co2. The 5.9% ABV is neatly tucked away.

Overall: Not really fans of it. It was too malt-forward and too shy on the nose. So many better red IPA’s out there.

“Newly released Love Shack Red I.P.A is the red ale that you’ve come to know and love but hopped up!”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Deep amber to copper red pour capped off by a finger of light khaki foam. The head retains fairly well and a healthy lace clings to the glass as we imbibe.

Aroma: Good depth and intensity. Commendable balance too which is crucial for this style. Very rich and sweet caramalt base throwing out toffee, caramel and candy sugars but it’s the fusion of piney, herbal and citrusy hops that really propels this beer forward. It has this oldskool Red IPA quality to it which is kinda hard to explain. Alls we know is it’s smelling the goods.

Flavour: Tasting the goods too! That impeccable balance on show on the nose carries over but with added fire from the 7% ABV and a moderate bitterness. Delicious stuff here…malty sweet, caramelised, and a touch fruity on entry then gradually becoming piney, herbaceous and citrusy through the mid. The bitterness kicks into gear late then it finishes surprisingly smooth, sweet and fruity.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, silky, gelatinous. Medium bodied with good Co2. The 7% ABV was very well concealed.

Overall: This brewery is the perfect example as to why we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. The can designs (although trad) are very unappealing but the contents inside are outstanding.

“Surf’s up, cowabunga dude. Hop Dude is riding the Cali wave, hanging ten on a refreshing West Coast IPA. Crisp, pale and perfectly hoppy, popping with bright citrus and tropical fruit, powered by Krush hops and NZ Cascade Amplifire Oil. Clean, dry, and endlessly drinkable.” 

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Bright pale golden pour capped off by a finger of tightly beaded white head. It retains well and produces a fine intricate lace down the glass.

Aroma: She’s a little shy but a good swirl evokes a fairly old-school set of aromas including all types of citrus, nectar-filled tropical fruits and pine resin. The NZ Cascade is a nice touch…we definitely get that green quality that’s consistent across all NZ hops. There’s also notable lime/zest, white peach, unripened pineapple and a subtle touch of blueberry. Crisp and clean malt backing. Decent.

Flavour: One big change that we admire about new-school WC IPA’s is the moderated bitterness. Don’t get us wrong, we do LOVE a good bitter bomb from time to time but these more approachable yet still hop-fuelled modern iterations are much more pleasant. Like the aroma it’s crammed full of mixed citrus, tropical fruits, pine resin, stone fruits and a clean honey malt profile at its core.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, light on and effortless. Mild-medium body, finely carbed. The 6.2% ABV is bang on for the style.

Overall: We won’t go as far as saying that it’s a memorable beer but it’s pretty well polished and it does all the right things. It’s enjoyable to say the least.

“Stunningly beautiful Mystery Bay was previously called Mutton Fish Bay due to its plentiful supply of abalone or mutton fish. This idyllic local beach was renamed after 5 men disappeared there in October 1889 in one of Australia’s most baffling sea mysteries.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Bright golden orange pour with a short khaki head resting atop. Steady reduction and scarce lacing as we imbibe.

Aroma: What we have here is a 100% Australian IPA i.e all the ingredients are Aussie. It’s fascinating to see where our beers sit on the world stage. Personally, we think that in their truest form (as this beer is) they sit between English and American styles…more boisterous than English beers but not quite as loud and extreme as American ones. Interestingly, a very similar parallel can be drawn with the typical Aussie psyche.

Flavour: Now that we waffled our way through the whole aroma let’s get into the tasting notes. It’s a very well balanced IPA. The hops do most of the talking with clean herbal notes, orange citrus, pine needle, nuanced tropical fruits and florals. Quite a sweet and biscuity malt structure which really fills the whole beer out. Delicate bitterness and a semi dry, mildly bitter and herbal finish.

Mouthfeel: Well rounded, smooth and then a little drier in the swallow. Medium body, low-ish Co2. The 6.2% ABV is on the money.

Overall: As a style the Australian IPA will never be as popular as an American or even a NZ IPA. It just doesn’t have the depth of character, no matter who brews it. That aside, we really enjoyed this. Our first crack at this brewery from the picturesque south coast NSW.

“Our take on Belgian IPA, with the wow factor of our Belgian yeast providing white pepper, bubble gum and clove. We added a mix of Citra, Galaxy, Vic Secret and Ella to produce a pleasant spicy aroma with a lingering hint of jasmine and a tropical hit.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Pours a honey-golden colour with a wispy white head over the top. It quickly forms a collar with wet and wavy lace work left in its wake.

Aroma: The old Belgian IPA is such an underrated style. Taking the best of two excellent styles and weaving them together is a masterstroke in our opinion. The Belgian yeast comes through with its spicy, fruity esters and the citrusy and floral hops are equal to the task. The malt bill provides a dash of honey but it’s mostly clean with a fresh sweetness. Solid aroma.

Flavour: It’s all IPA on entry…a nicely tempered mix of citrus/rind, pine needle, peppery spice, peach and soft florals with a delicate bitterness in support. It’s not until the mid-palate that the Belgian yeast shows up, but when it does it imparts the hallmark spice (pepper, clove, anise), bubblegum, esters and Angostura bitters. Nicely balanced finish of mixed citrus, pepper and florals. Good length on it too.

Mouthfeel: Bright, crisp and clean. Mild-medium body, perfectly carbed. The 6.5% ABV conceals itself really well.

Overall: We’ve been wanting to try this ever since we saw that they had one months ago. It was a tad harder to find than the rest of their core range. Glad we tried it as it was everything we expected it to be – high quality, easy drinking and delicious.

“The monster hop has taken a new form. The same all-star cast of New Zealand grown Nelson Sauvin and Rakau hops, now shrouded in haze. Juicy grapefruit, passionfruit and dank resin, fused in a swirling otherworldly Hazy IPA. The beast is back.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Turbid AF, mustard-esque pastel yellow complexion and a creamy two finger head perched on top. Excellent retention and a tonne of lace clinging to the sides of the glass.

Aroma: Smells on point. Absolutely jam packed with Kiwi hop goodness – delicate green grapes/white wine, zesty lime/rind, gooseberry, passionfruit, dank weedy herbals, pine resin and apricot. All neatly bundled up in a super smooth and bready malt profile. Some chalkiness and peppery spice opening up as it settles. High quality aroma.

Flavour: We remember first trying the OG pernicious back in 2016 (just before the haze craze took off in the southern hemisphere). Back then they were still using Nelson Sauvin and Rakau and much like this version now it still imparts a good dose of dank resinous weed and pine, stone fruit, citrus and green tropical fruits. It’s just noticeably smoother, creamier and far less bitter! Extremely soft and silky in the finish too. Superb.

Mouthfeel: Aerated, pillowy beer clouds. Light-moderate body, finely carbed. The 6% ABV is neatly tucked in there.

Overall: GP are absolutely kicking arse right now. One other thing that we’d forgotten to touch on is its seriously sharp price…it ended up coming in under $6 a can (after a small discount from our friendly bottle shop owner) which is an absolute steal considering its quality. Sensational stuff.

“It’s beer from back when malt mattered. English style IPA. Ripe juicy Maris Otter and chewy crystal lay down a foundation of rich malt flavour, supporting an assertive load of East Kent Goldings and Slovenian Celeia hops. Notes of toffee and fresh baked biscuits balanced with firm bitterness and floral, earthy citrus aroma. Sometimes you’ve got to get old skool.”

Glassware: English pint.

Appearance: Gorgeous bold amber pour with full transparency. It forms a thumb of khaki head which gradually peels off. Not much in the way of lacing it has to be said.

Aroma: This is a style we’re very well versed in and we’re highly critical of any non-English brewery that tries their hand at it. GP can usually do it all so let’s crack on. It’s certainly a malt bomb but it’s nicely balanced. The hallmark richness and caramel sweetness of maris otter malts lay down a sturdy foundation for the spicy, floral and somewhat fruity old world hops. Pretty good.

Flavour: This is typically where the men are separated from the boys and that is exactly the case here. We go on all the time about non-English breweries not having the capability to brew English IPA’s and the telling difference in most cases is the depth of flavour and balance. In this case in particular, it’s just a hodge-podge of sweet malt and spicy hops, lacking in any refined flavour and direction as it finishes messy and unbalanced.

Mouthfeel: Not bad actually. Smooth and chewy, the bitterness develops late. Medium body, low-ish carbonation. 5.6% ABV is spot on for the style.

Overall: We’ll chalk this up as another fail for a non-English brewery. If GP can’t even get it right then who can?!

“We’re heading south for our fifth collaboration with Boston brewing legends Trillium, down to Garston Hops in Southland’s Nokomai Valley. A massive dry hop of hand selected Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and NZ Cascade bring passionfruit, peach and citrus in this giant juicy hazy homage to one of New Zealand’s most exciting new hop growing regions.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Turbid pastel orange-yellow pour capped off with a short white head which settles to a fine film. A good wavy lace decorates the glass as it ebbs.

Aroma: It’s no wonder any release under the “Valley” series sells out so damn quickly. We’re getting the old one-two from the juicy and nectar-filled passionfruit, pineapple, peach, guava and mixed citrus. Loving the subtle tartness from the gooseberry too. Picking up a little resin, some onion/shallot, fruity white wine and green grapes. Dry, bready malt structure to boot. Very good.

Flavour: The Nelson Sauvin features pretty heavily here. It’s super green, resinous, weedy, vinous and tart with the fruit salad components opening up mid-way. It keeps quite dank and resinous and continually flirts with a dry bitterness but it never makes a move. It’s impressive how it holds its overall intensity all the way through to the smooth, creamy and fruity finish which draws out on the back end.

Mouthfeel: Light and fluffy which is wild for an 8% ABV beer. Mild-medium body. Finely carbed.

Overall: At this stage the line-up of our favourites are like so;

1) Sunrise

2) Galaxy

3) Matakitaki

4) Nokomai

5) Yakima

6) Willamette

“You know we love anything DANK, so when we tried this oily, tangy, ganja-smelling IPA, we wanted to make sure that this beer’s name said it all! Strata and Idaho 7 lead the way with bright tropical fruit and sour diesel spice with a touch of Centennial and Simcoe for undertones of citrusy terpenes. Clear and crisp for that West Coast kick that we all love so much.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: On the lighter end for a WC IPA – slightly hazy with a golden-yellow complexion. It forms a thumb of fizzy white head which settles to a collar. Skint lace work as it ebbs.

Aroma: Pretty dank…as the name would suggest. It’s got that old-school pine dominance that hints at resin, tree sap, shallot and eucalyptus. Heady citrus notes, mostly lemon and grapefruit with a good helping of rind and zestiness. A fleeting hint of fresh green capsicum also coming through. The malt bill is really shy, definitely biscuity with a delicate bush honey sweetness. Not bad.

Flavour: Follows on from the nose. Dank everything really…dank pine, dank resin, dank weedy herbals, dank spicy citrus and rind. Again, hinting at shallot and spruce while the Strata hops provide that epic green capsicum/chilli component around the mid. Surprisingly low on bitterness as it all sets up for a notably smooth finish of dank pine/resin, citrus/rind and green onion.

Mouthfeel: Really smooth and effortless for a WC IPA. Mild-medium body, moderate Co2. The 6.5% ABV was really well hidden.

Overall: It certainly lived up to its dank namesake. All in all it was a well balanced and well structured WC IPA. What it lacks in wow factor is made up in pure brewing ability.

“Galaxy, with its crazy tropical Pineapple – Orange – Guava aroma that’s laced with zesty lime and ginger spice, is one of those hops that doesn’t require other hops with it to make a beer pop. One sniff and sip of this beer will show you what we are talking about. In order for you to have an unadulterated Galaxy experience, we brew Galaxy Blaster with our house neutral ale yeast which doesn’t obfuscate the beautiful hop character.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Looks awesome – milky and super turbid pastel yellow with a light and frothy two finger head perched on top. Steady reduction and patchy lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Our world renowned Galaxy hops feature all on their own here. Instantly the nostrils are filled with sweet nectary fruits like passionfruit, orange, guava, lychee and unripened mango. We’re picking up a gorgeous scent of creamy blood orange sorbet which is an absolute pleasure to take in. Nice dry malt bill…white bread/crusts, oats and a subtle hint of chalk. Solid start.

Flavour: Much more bitter than we’d anticipated. It opens up with the same blend of fruits as the aroma but there’s a lot less sweetness to them. The whole flavour profile and texture feels a lot more aerated and drier with the bitterness slowly intensifying as it rolls through the mid. It all hits a crescendo then tapers off into a fairly mellow finish where the bitterness continues to dry it all out.

Mouthfeel: Super smooth and creamy then bitter and dry in the swallow. Light-moderate body, finely carbed. The 6.8% ABV shows through intermittently.

Overall: What started with so much promise ended with much less. In the end we couldn’t get on board with the totally dried out flavour profile and lifted bitterness. Not bad.

“Far away in the distance we saw what appeared to be a large rotating pineapple. That could only mean one thing, we’d found a kiosk, slangin’ the freshest juice of all the land. This expressive yeast Hazy IPA Features a melange of hop varieties for a great offering of red fruit, white grape, grapefruit oil forward terpenes & a nice dusting of pine. Hopped with Strata, Nelson, Simcoe, Centennial & Motueka.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Looks the goods – kinda milky and turbid mustard-yellow pour capped off by a frothy two finger head. It retains well and decorates the glass nicely on the way down.

Aroma: Massive hop bill in this brew (Strata, Nelson, Simcoe, Motueka and Centennial) so it’s no surprise the dominant scent is straight up fruit salad. Lots of pine/sap, evergreen, shallot, weedy resins, green grapes, literal hop oil and sweet juicy nectar. Some nuanced candied fruits like strawberry and watermelon also get a look in. Nice bready malt structure. Diggin it.

Flavour: We were quietly hoping it was going to be a bit drier with some unripened fruit but it’s a bit more saturated and stewy. The Kiwi hops are the saviour… bringing all that zesty lime, weedy resins, pine and green grapes to an otherwise tropical fruit bomb. Definitely picking up the Simcoe with its piney, oily and passionfruit-filled nectar as it rounds off on an ultra smooth and creamy finish.

Mouthfeel: Not exactly beer clouds but close to. Light on, well aerated, creamy. Medium body and finely carbed. Nicely concealed 7% ABV.

Overall: It’s awesome to see Cellarmaker on Aussie shelves. The last time we got to drink their beer was on our US beer pilgrimage through California back in 2017. Very high quality stuff back then and still is now.

“A malty IPA with an earthy, woodland, fruit hop character, balanced by a firm, crisp bitterness that leaves you wanting another sip. This beer was crafted with Golden Promise, Caramel Rye, Columbus, & El Dorado Hops.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Somewhat muddy and burnished copper pour with a thumb of finely beaded off-white head nestled in atop. It holds together well and weaves a wavy lace down the sides of the glass.

Aroma: Ooft the rye is strong on this one. Very distinct notes of black pepper, pumpernickel, bread crusts, woody spice and earth. Using rye malt in a red IPA is a masterstroke too as the sweet fruity hops provide the perfect counter balance. Not to mention the piney, herbal and citrus qualities as well. Really good depth but the overall balance is key here.

Flavour: The progression is impressive. It opens up almost juicy – sweet fruits and orange citrus backed up by chewy caramel before dropping its payload of rye which balances everything out. A good dose of hop bitterness lands midway but the big malt presence is enough to keep it all in check. A subtle toasty note turns more roasty as it finishes a tad caramelised, toasty and bitter.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and gelatinous then dry and bitter in the swallow. Medium body, nicely carbed and a well integrated 7% ABV.

Overall: We only just realised recently that we’ve almost reviewed 10 Fontaine beers. We didn’t realise we were fanboys until now! After releases like this it’s no wonder we’re on the Fontaine train.

“Big, bold, and unapologetically indulgent. Cake Eater is our luxurious Oat Cream Double IPA Series brewed with a hefty dose of oats and a touch of lactose for that ultra-creamy, pillowy mouthfeel. Hopped with the juicy crowd-favourite Citra and the intriguing experimental hop HBC 1019, this beer bursts with ripe mango, fresh-squeezed orange, and a hint of creamy pineapple coconut smoothie.“

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Turbid and slightly milky-looking pastel yellow complexion. It forms a thumb of tightly held white head that slowly reduces. Excellent lacing as it ebbs.

Aroma: We can smell the sweet and heady tropical fruits as the glass sits idle on the table. Under the nostrils it’s magnified by a thousand as big notes of mixed citrus and fleshy, nectar-filled fruits lift off. Dominant scents of freshly squeezed orange juice, ruby grapefruit and pine resin are supported by a creamy oat-laden malt bill, coconut, milk sugars, a hint of green mango and pineapple. Superb.

Flavour: So smooth for 8% ABV it’s wild. Definitely a citrus bomb but not like the IPA’s of old where it’s accompanied by an 80+ IBU. This is beautifully rounded out by a soft and pillowy oat cream malt structure and built upon with lashings of tropical fruit, mixed citrus, stone fruit and a hint of pine/resin. Dries out a tad late in the piece and finishes fruity, piney and sweet.

Mouthfeel: Silky smooth and creamy. Medium body, finely carbed. The 8% ABV is unbelievably well concealed.

Overall: Cracking OCIPA. This series along with “Feels” and “Cake Stand” are without a doubt on par with MC’s best NEIPA’s and Hazy’s.

“2025 marks 20 years of Bridge Road Brewers. To celebrate, we’ve crafted this beauty – our annual birthday beer, B2 Bomber. Mach 15.0 was DIP hopped with El Dorado and dry-hopped with Eclipse and Eclipse Spectrum, creating a decadent ale, layered with hop character over a rich, Belgian-inspired base. Complex, expressive, & wax-dipped for a milestone.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Wax seals and all. Bridge Road is going all fancy! Pours a slightly muddy dark brown to black with a head that swells to about a finger and a half before retracting. Thick wavy lace decorates the glass on its way down.

Aroma: Distinctly fruity this year. We got jack of the price of them last year so we missed Mach 14 and in hindsight we’re kinda bummed we did that. It’s actually the only one we’ve missed Mach 6! Alas, once this bad boy settles the estery Belgian yeast and rich dark malts start to open up but they don’t deter the raging hops from throwing out notable peach/nectarine, caramelised pear, grilled pineapple and tangerine.

Flavour: It continues with the lifted fruity notes. Then again, another sip reveals a whole new set of rich, yeasty and boozy flavours which is wild. There’s also something a tad gamey and smokey too. Literally every time we take a sip the beer morphs a little bit and by the time we’re at the end it finishes fruity, roasty, boozy and a tad yeasty with good length.

Mouthfeel: Prickly, warming, rich. Medium-full body with low-ish Co2. The 13% ABV is very discernible but understandably so.

Overall: Excellent progression. Really deep and complex too. We’re happy to be back on the Mach train even if it does cost $40 a bottle.

“Our hoppy and malty Red IPA. Passionfruit, grapefruit, and citrus aromatics from Citra Cryo, Galaxy and Vic Secret hops, all on a big malt base. This beer manages a rich balance between malt and hops. A beer for the flavour hunters. Silver Medal 2023 & Bronze 2024 Indies Awards. Silver 2023 & 2024 AIBAs. Bronze 2024 Indies & Royal QLD Awards. Bronze 2025 AIBAs.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Attractive auburn pour with two fingers of well kept head resting atop. Tonnes of lace clings to the glass as it subsides.

Aroma: Instantly picking up all that caramelised sweetness and crystallised sugar. Masterfully woven through are the fruity hops which impart oodles of nectar-filled passionfruit, mango and blood orange. It also has a notable sappy/resinous quality as well…of which works back into the sweet malt base extremely well. Once again, impressive stuff from KR.

Flavour: Tastes like alcoholic candy…without the artificial sweetness to boot. The sugary and caramelised malts come on beautifully and they’re instantly countered by a significant hop bitterness in addition to the acidic citrus, unripened tropical fruits and weedy resins. The bitterness intensifies as it all rolls into a bone dry, resinous and bitter finish. Good length on it too.

Mouthfeel: Chewy and gelatinous then it all dries up in the swallow. Medium body, effervescent Co2. The 6.2% ABV slots in neatly.

Overall: Another absolutely on-point beer from King River. At this stage we’ve officially gone from fans to fanboy status. Loving everything these guys are putting out. And the amount of medals awarded reflect that.

“Bursting with tropical intensity, this IPA showcases Krush and Nectaron hops in all their glory. Waves of juicy pineapple, ripe mango, and bright citrus ride over a smooth malt base, delivering a fresh, vibrant hit in every sip. Pure hop paradise.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Bold amber complexion with 100% clarity. A fizzy two finger head nestles in on top. Good retention and healthy lace as it ebbs.

Aroma: Definitely presents as a West Coast IPA (in aroma and appearance). We don’t think we’ve had either of these hops in a WC IPA before so it’s interesting seeing them work into a totally different malt profile. Super tropical, citrusy, pine and passionfruit with a range of more nuanced shallot, peach, sappy resin and a sweet caramalt base. Solid.

Flavour: Wow, it’s smooth for a WC IPA. Almost no bitterness. Neither the hops nor the malts dominate.. they’ve found this perfect fusion of fruity, piney and resinous hops integrated with sweet, chewy and caramelised malts. This harmonious little marriage of flavours starts and finishes in basically the same fashion – deliciously.

Mouthfeel: Crazy smooth with a bit of chew. Finely carbed, medium body with a well hidden 6.4% ABV.

Overall: Cornella is such an underrated brewery. We know how well these guys can brew trad styles but we were yet to get amongst any of their new world stuff yet. We can now say with confidence that they can brew at both ends of the spectrum exceptionally. Just as we’d anticipated.

“Seattle’s favourite sons, Fast Fashion, fly in for a slice of Down Under Pizza. Decadent DDH DIPA, dripping with harvest fresh Motueka, NZ Cascade and a very special secret sprinkle of brand new Hāpi Research hop variety NZ02, delivers a ripe punch of passionfruit, lychee, lime and creamy peach.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Turbid pastel yellow with a really faint green tinge. It forms a light and fluffy two finger head which gradually peels off, leaving an absolute smattering of lace behind.

Aroma: Picking up those fresh NZ hops immediately – oily resins, lime zest, pine needle, orange creamsicle, passionfruit, ruby grapefruit and a soft floral undertone. It has this overall creamy quality which we’re digging…even the malts have a creamy oat-based character to them. There’s also something akin to a lactose-like sweetness but we’re pretty sure there’s none used in the brew. Solid aroma.

Flavour: Just like the nose, the palate is awash with NZ hop deliciousness. Massive fruit salad vibes with everything from grapefruit, lime and orange zest to passionfruit, assorted stone fruits and guava. Some peach skins getting amongst it as well. Very smooth all the way through until a delicate bitterness helps punctuate a slightly dry and resinous finish.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, flinty, effervescent carb. Medium body and a nicely poised 7.5% ABV.

Overall: Another decent addition to the Hapi Sessions Series. Fast Fashion is another that we hadn’t heard of before this collab but from what was on display here it seems they have their craft dialled in. Very enjoyable drop.

“Hāpi Sessions 2025, three collaborations, three breweries at the top of their game, three beers, each showcasing a different hop forward style in a playful ‘freestyle’ interpretation of one of the beers that helped to make each brewery famous. Britannia’s best and brightest, Deya, join us on a ride to the heart of hoppiness with Crest of the Wave. Luscious Hazy IPA swimming in a citrus saturated tropical fruit explosion of harvest fresh Freestyle Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin, Nelson Lakes Cascade finished with a twist of Citra and Simcoe.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Halfway between gold and orange. It reveals a much lighter and turbid hue when held to the light though. Two fingers of rocky White head over the top. Good retention and lacing as it ebbs.

Aroma: The olfactory’s cop a good dose of NZ hops. A lot of sweet nectar-filled tropical fruits but also equal amounts of evergreen, lime zest and grapefruit. We love the addition of Citra and Simcoe (two of our most favourite OG hops) here as they add that little extra zing to the citrus and pine. Soft creamy oats and fresh white bread repping for the malt bill. Decent.

Flavour: Interesting. It’s a lot crisper and leaner than we anticipated. The hops are also displaying a distinct floral quality that we weren’t picking up on the nose. Still, nice and fruity, citrus is more subtle here, pine and herbals, unripened peach and finished off with a soft and creamy stone fruit note.

Mouthfeel: Crisp yet nicely rounded and with good consistency. Finely carbed, mild-moderate body and the 6% ABV slots in neatly.

Overall: Not as exciting as other previous Hapi Sessions releases but decent enough to give it a nod. Never heard of Deya before either. Anywho, good enough for a one and done.

“Take a dive into pure hop-driven indulgence. Motueka Feels is our latest entry in the Feels Series — a luxuriously soft and creamy Oat Cream DIPA, hopped exclusively with Motueka and Motueka Cryo.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Looks the goods. Pours a proper turbid, milky light pastel yellow and caps off with a finger of finely beaded white foam. Decent head retention and excellent lace work as it ebbs.

Aroma: It’s ticking all the boxes early on. Smells magnificent actually…super juicy and drenched in tropical fruit sweetness but also full of that resinous and rainforest/evergreen quality that NZ hops are so well known for. Tonnes of citrus i.e lime, grapefruit and orange rind. A hint of mandarin, subtle black pepper, soft pillowy oats and white bread. Ooft!

Flavour: Like the aroma it’s juicy AF, packed out with sweet tropical fruits and mixed citrus. Then the smooth and creamy oats are laid over. The resins and mildly dank oils are a lot more nuanced here, kinda blending in with the unripened fruits and assisting in the delicate bitterness that offsets the smooth and peppery finish.

Mouthfeel: Soft, pillowy beer clouds. Mild-medium body, finely carbed. The 7.8% ABV comes through intermittently.

Overall: Blows our mind why all Banks hazy’s aren’t brewed to this quality (cake eater & cake stand excepted of course). We’ve had a few average hazy’s from them recently so if they can brew to this standard, why not brew them like this all the time? We don’t get it.