Country
New Zealand
A small brewing country with an outsized influence through hop breeding, including the distinctive white-wine character of Nelson Sauvin.
New Zealand hops are grown in near-isolation in the Nelson region, and the breeding programme has been largely free of the downy mildew pressures that shaped European and American breeding. The varieties are triploid and open-pollinated in origin, producing aroma profiles unlike anywhere else.
Nelson Sauvin, Motueka and Riwaka are the best known, and are used worldwide in beers with no other connection to New Zealand.
Brewing regions
- Nelson. New Zealand hops are grown without the downy mildew pressure that shaped Northern Hemisphere breeding, so selection could favour aroma over disease resistance. The resulting varieties carry white-wine, lime and tropical character not found elsewhere.
Hops grown in New Zealand
- Nelson Sauvin
white wine, gooseberry, passionfruit
- Motueka
lime, lemon zest, light spice
- Riwaka
grapefruit, passionfruit, lime
- Wai-iti
lime, peach, apricot
- Wakatu
floral, lime, fresh herbs
- Pacific Jade
black pepper, lemon, fresh herbs
- Pacifica
orange marmalade, floral, light spice
- Kohatu
tropical fruit, pine needle, floral
- Rakau
apricot, peach, pine
- Green Bullet
raisin, spice, earth
- Southern Cross
lemon peel, pine, oak
- Nectaron
passionfruit, pineapple, peach
Breweries in New Zealand
Carried because a reference beer, a tradition or a historical event needs them. Not a directory.
Beer history in New Zealand
1980–2020 Southern Hemisphere hop breeding produces a distinct character
New Zealand and Australian programmes produced varieties whose thiol-driven tropical and white-wine character differs markedly from American hops.