“San Francisco’s legends of lupulin, Cellarmaker, beam down to unleash an Interstellar Burst of hop forward flavour. Cold WCIPA, IPL, California Pils, call it what you like, cold fermentation and new Hāpi Research hop variety NZ05, Southern Cross, Peacharine and Mosaic, delivers massive luscious tropical fruit aromatics and crisp, clean, punchy bitterness.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Honey-golden pour with a mild hop haze. It forms two fingers of light and fluffy head which retains fairly well. Healthy lace work on the glass.

Aroma: Not your typical combination of NZ hops for this brew. It includes a new experimental hop called NZ05 along with Southern Cross and Peacharine. It also features Mosaic but that ain’t a Kiwi hop, not to mention that it needs no introduction. Nose is mostly fruit-driven i.e sweet and tropical overlaid with distinct zesty citrus and stone fruit, pine needle, a hint of resin, herbal spice and light florals.

Flavour: Again, fruit-driven but it’s more fruit salad vibes here. Like a mouthful of tropical pineapple, mango and stone fruit, mixed citrus and berries all in one. It’s nice but it does open itself up to being a little muddled. Not much of a malt profile to it. Crisp and clean, a flutter of honey sweetness. Delicate weed, pine and resin coming through late in the piece then finishing rather green and grassy.

Mouthfeel: Nice and tight, crisp, clean texture. Mild-medium body, light effervescent Co2. The 7% ABV is very well concealed.

Overall: Went down well on this unseasonably warm winters arvo. Kind of a one and done situation though as there’s really not enough to it for a return.