Hops are only harvested once a year, throughout March in Aotearoa, depending on the variety. This means using ‘fresh hops’ in beer is only possible for a short window each year, making fresh hop beers a highly anticipated event in the craft beer world. These limited-edition brews offer unique aromatics and flavours that can’t be replicated at any other time of the year.

After the annual hop harvest, the majority of hops are processed into pellets, cryo hops (freeze-dried), and oils to be used throughout the year. But fresh hops? They need to be brewed within a day of being picked off the ‘bine’ (yes, they grow on bines, not vines!). That’s why breweries often make the pilgrimage to Nelson, where Aotearoa’s best hops are grown, to handpick their selection and transport them as quickly as possible for brewing. The fresher the hop, the juicier the flavour!

At Urbanaut, we’re known for brewing a range of fresh hop beers every year, celebrating the harvest with exciting new releases and fan favourites.