Cloudwater ~ Interstella Jazz 5.0% Pale Ale
Cloudwater's Interstella Jazz is a brilliantly refreshing pale ale that shines a spotlight on two of the brewery's favourite hops: Motueka and Nelson Sauvin. Pouring a hazy golden yellow with a fine, white head, the beer invites you in with a juicy aroma of citrus, lime zest, and a touch of tropical fruit. The first sip delivers a well-balanced burst of grapefruit, passionfruit, and a subtle hint of lime, making for a crisp and refreshing experience. The body is light but full of flavour, with the hops playing the starring role throughout, providing a distinct, juicy profile without overwhelming the palate.
Interesting Fact: Cloudwater has chosen to use Motueka and Nelson Sauvin hops, which are often seen in higher-ABV beers like TIPAs and DIPAs. These hops are known for their juicy, tropical fruit character—Motueka offering lime and citrus notes, and Nelson Sauvin delivering white wine-like flavours with hints of gooseberry and passionfruit. Despite being brewed at a lower ABV, Interstella Jazz captures the essence of these hops beautifully, offering a juicy, hop-forward experience in a more sessionable format.
Pairing Suggestions: Interstella Jazz’s bright, citrusy profile makes it an excellent match for light and flavourful foods. Pair it with a fresh seafood dish like grilled prawns with lime and coriander, where the zesty lime in the beer complements the citrusy flavours of the dish. It’s also fantastic with a goat cheese salad, as the tangy cheese and herbs enhance the beer’s refreshing qualities. For dessert, try it with a citrus sorbet or a lime tart, where the tartness of the beer highlights the zesty sweetness of the dessert.
North ~ Open Plan Living 3.8% Session IPA
North’s Open Plan Living is a crisp and breezy session IPA that offers an approachable yet vibrant drinking experience. This 3.8% beer pours a pale, slightly hazy yellow, with a bright white head that quickly dissipates. On the nose, the hops offer an inviting bouquet of citrus, with notes of grapefruit and orange zest. The first sip reveals a light but flavourful body, with zesty citrus fruit dominating the palate, accompanied by a smooth bitterness that carries through to a clean, crisp finish. The Motueka and Citra hops work in harmony, creating a refreshing beer that’s perfect for long, laid-back sessions.
Interesting Fact: Open Plan Living is brewed with Motueka and Citra hops, two varieties known for their citrus-forward character. Motueka imparts lime and tropical fruit notes, while Citra adds layers of grapefruit, lime, and a touch of tropical fruit, creating a refreshing and sessionable beer. The relatively low ABV makes it a perfect choice for a refreshing, easy-drinking IPA that doesn’t compromise on flavour.
Pairing Suggestions: Open Plan Living’s crisp, citrusy character makes it an ideal companion for light, fresh dishes. Pair it with a seafood ceviche or grilled fish tacos, where the citrus in the beer will complement the tanginess of the dish. It also pairs well with a fresh vegetable salad, especially one featuring avocado or herbs, where the beer’s refreshing quality enhances the natural flavours. For dessert, consider pairing it with a lemon meringue pie or a fruit salad, where the citrus notes in the beer elevate the sweetness of the fruit.
Overtone ~ Swally 5.0% Pale Ale
Overtone’s Swally is a pale ale that captures the spirit of good times shared with friends. A fan favourite, Swally is packed with a bold yet balanced hop profile, featuring Amarillo Lupomax, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops in both incognito and cryo forms. The beer pours a hazy amber, topped with a creamy white head, and the aroma is a pleasant mix of citrus, pine, and tropical fruit. On the palate, the beer is juicy and full of flavour, with vibrant notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and orange, all balanced by a subtle bitterness and a smooth, malty backbone. The finish is clean, making it a beer that’s easy to enjoy with friends.
Interesting Fact: Swally’s hop blend features Amarillo Lupomax, a highly concentrated hop form, which helps intensify the beer’s citrus and tropical fruit aromas. By using both incognito and cryo forms of Mosaic hops, Overtone is able to enhance the hop profile, intensifying the fruit flavours while reducing the bitterness. This results in a well-rounded, flavourful pale ale that showcases the brewery’s ability to balance boldness with approachability.
Pairing Suggestions: Swally’s balanced hop profile and juicy flavours make it a versatile pairing for a wide range of dishes. Try it with a spicy chicken tikka masala, where the beer’s fruitiness helps balance the heat and spices. It also pairs well with grilled meats like pork or chicken, where the beer’s citrus and pine notes complement the smoky flavours. For dessert, Swally is great with a fruit-forward dessert, such as a mango sorbet or a citrus pound cake, where the beer’s tropical fruit flavours enhance the sweetness of the dish.
Duration ~ Board Games 3.4% Session Pale Ale
Duration’s Board Games is a session pale ale designed for those cozy, relaxed nights spent with friends. At just 3.4% ABV, this beer offers a light and easy-drinking experience with a surprising depth of flavour. It pours a pale golden colour with a crisp, white head, and the nose is filled with the scent of fresh grapefruit, pine, and a touch of honey sweetness. On the palate, the beer is light but full of character, with bright grapefruit notes, subtle pine, and a sweet malt base that provides a nice counterpoint to the crisp finish. The Citra hops shine through, providing a burst of zesty fruit that makes this beer incredibly refreshing.
Interesting Fact: Board Games is brewed with Citra hops, known for their bright citrus and tropical fruit character. The addition of honey gives the beer a subtle sweetness that complements the bitterness of the hops, creating a balanced and refreshing session beer. The low ABV and refreshing flavour profile make it an ideal beer for extended drinking sessions, perfect for enjoying during relaxed evenings with friends.
Pairing Suggestions: Board Games pairs wonderfully with light and fresh dishes. Try it with a chicken and avocado salad, where the beer’s citrus notes complement the creamy avocado and fresh greens. It also works well with grilled white fish or shrimp, where the crisp, refreshing nature of the beer enhances the delicate flavours of the seafood. For dessert, enjoy it with a citrus sorbet or a lemon cake, where the bright grapefruit flavours in the beer elevate the freshness of the fruit.
Abbeydale ~ Cryo Deception 4.8% Pale Ale (GF)
Abbeydale’s Cryo Deception is a tantalizing New Zealand pale ale, showcasing the versatility of Nelson Sauvin hops in multiple forms. This special limited release pours a pale gold, with a slight haze and a tight white head. On the nose, the beer bursts with aromas of white grape, elderflower, and gooseberry, characteristic of the Nelson Sauvin hop. The first sip is light and refreshing, with the hop’s fruity, floral notes coming to the forefront, followed by a crisp, balanced bitterness. The beer finishes clean, leaving behind a lingering floral note that invites another sip.
Interesting Fact: Cryo Deception is brewed with Nelson Sauvin hops in whole cone, T90, and Cryo forms, each contributing a different aspect to the beer’s character. Cryo hops are processed in a way that preserves their intense aroma and flavour while reducing vegetal matter, resulting in a cleaner, more concentrated hop experience. This technique allows the beer to showcase the delicate, fruity character of Nelson Sauvin hops without being overwhelming.
Pairing Suggestions: Cryo Deception’s bright, fruity character pairs beautifully with seafood, especially dishes like smoked salmon or ceviche, where the beer’s acidity complements the richness of the fish. It also pairs well with goat cheese or a light goat cheese salad, as the beer’s floral and fruity notes enhance the tanginess of the cheese. For dessert, try it with a fruity tart or a gooseberry fool, where the beer’s bright acidity brings out the flavours of the fruit.
Full Circle ~ Stay Safe You Crazy Kids 6.5% IPA
Full Circle’s Stay Safe You Crazy Kids is a bold IPA with a robust hop profile that’s perfect for fans of tropical and citrus flavours. The beer pours a hazy gold, with a fluffy white head that slowly fades. On the nose, you’ll immediately catch notes of tropical fruit, including mango, pineapple, and passionfruit, with a touch of pine and floral bitterness. The first sip reveals a juicy, hop-forward beer, with tropical fruit flavours dominating the palate, balanced by the earthy pine and floral notes from the Centennial and Bru-1 hops. The finish is smooth, with a lingering hop bitterness that invites another sip.
Interesting Fact: Stay Safe You Crazy Kids uses Trident hops, known for their tropical fruit profile, and combines them with Centennial and Bru-1 hops to create a layered, complex beer. Bru-1, in particular, is a relatively new hop variety known for its pineapple and stone fruit aromas, adding another dimension to the beer’s tropical character.
Pairing Suggestions: This IPA is perfect for pairing with bold, flavourful dishes. Try it with spicy barbecue ribs, where the beer’s bitterness helps cut through the richness of the meat. It also pairs well with a spicy curry or chili, where the beer’s hop profile complements the heat and complexity of the dish. For dessert, consider pairing it with a tropical fruit salad or a pineapple upside-down cake, where the beer’s fruity notes enhance the sweetness of the fruit.
Gravity Well ~ Nucleosynthesis 4.4% Hazy Pale Ale
Gravity Well’s Nucleosynthesis is a hazy pale ale that bursts with tropical fruit character and smooth juiciness. The beer pours a cloudy gold, with a fluffy white head that lingers, reflecting its full-bodied nature. On the nose, the combination of El Dorado, Citra, and Strata hops brings a vibrant, fruit-forward aroma of pineapple, orange zest, and grapefruit. The first sip is bright and zesty, with a punch of tropical fruit that is balanced by a touch of bitterness. The mouthfeel is soft and smooth, with the hops contributing to a clean, refreshing finish that invites another sip. The beer is full of flavour without being overwhelming, making it an easy drinker with great hop character.
Interesting Fact: Nucleosynthesis gets its name from the process that powers stars, and Gravity Well has captured this intensity in their hop-forward beer. El Dorado, Citra, and Strata hops are known for their tropical fruit flavours, and in this beer, they come together beautifully to create a juicy and hazy beer. El Dorado contributes pineapple and pear notes, while Citra adds layers of citrus fruit, and Strata brings an additional complexity of passionfruit and herbal characteristics.
Pairing Suggestions: Nucleosynthesis is the perfect match for vibrant, fruity dishes. Try it with a fresh ceviche or grilled fish tacos, where the beer’s tropical fruitiness complements the zest of the lime and the flavours of the fish. It’s also great with a fresh summer salad featuring citrus fruits or goat cheese, as the beer’s smooth mouthfeel enhances the creaminess of the cheese and balances the tanginess of the dressing. For dessert, pair it with a passionfruit sorbet or a tropical fruit salad, where the beer’s fruit-forward character enhances the freshness of the dish.
Pretty Decent ~ Hall & Oates & Hall & Oates 4.7% DDH Pale Ale
Pretty Decent’s Hall & Oates & Hall & Oates is a double dry-hopped (DDH) pale ale that delivers a refreshing and flavourful hop experience. The beer pours a hazy amber with a thick, frothy head that lasts, offering an inviting appearance. On the nose, the hops provide a burst of citrus and tropical fruit aromas, including notes of grapefruit, orange, and pineapple. The first sip delivers a well-balanced flavour, with a smooth malt backbone supporting the bold hop character. The combination of Mosaic, Motueka, and Nelson Sauvin hops creates a juicy profile with bright citrus, floral, and tropical fruit flavours that linger on the finish. It’s a beer that’s both easy-drinking and packed with vibrant hop notes.
Interesting Fact: Hall & Oates & Hall & Oates features a unique blend of three well-known hops: Mosaic, Motueka, and Nelson Sauvin. These hops are known for their distinct aromas and flavours—Mosaic brings notes of tropical fruit and pine, Motueka offers bright citrus and lime, and Nelson Sauvin adds a hint of white wine and gooseberry. The combination of these hops in a double dry-hopped pale ale enhances the beer’s hop intensity and gives it a layered complexity that’s both refreshing and flavourful.
Pairing Suggestions: Hall & Oates & Hall & Oates is a versatile pale ale that pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of dishes. Try it with a spicy chicken wing platter, where the beer’s citrusy bitterness helps cut through the richness and heat. It’s also a great match for grilled burgers or roasted vegetables, where the beer’s tropical and citrus flavours complement the savoury, smoky notes of the food. For dessert, this beer would pair well with a citrus-flavoured cheesecake or a lemon and blueberry tart, where the beer’s bright hop character enhances the fruitiness of the dessert.