So in March this year our resident Kiwi headed back to the South Island to experience the sights, sounds and aromas of the place widely regarded as the world’s southernmost hop farm.

Although Karl managed to squeeze in some time to soak up the scenery and take in the invigoratingly crisp South Island-air, (and gorge himself on L&P and Pineapple Lumps), the main aim of his trip was to get up close and personal with some hops.

The town of Garston is New Zealand’s most inland settlement and boasts rich soil, warm days and cool nights. Throw in the light and water that particular part of the world has in abundance, and you have the ideal conditions for growing hops.

(We should also add that these particular hops are grown on a sheep farm, which feels like something made up for tourists but we’ve seen it with our own eyes.)

After sampling everything the harvest had to offer, Karl landed a mixture of Motueka, Rakau and NZ Cascade. NZ Cascade and Motueka are known for citrus and tropical fruit characters, while Rakau delivers a hit of dankness to get all the hopheads talking.

Wop Wops NZ Pale Ale

Back in Melbourne with his hops safely delivered, Karl set about brewing his love-letter to New Zealand’s wop wops. (That’s “the middle of nowhere” for the non-Kiwis among us.)

This beer is a classic NZ Pale Ale. Upfront stone fruit on the nose and front palate, flowing into style-typical citrus with tropical undertones, and a nice hit of dankness on the finish.

Drinking this is almost like you’re in the hop fields underneath a haze of lupulin-kissed air.

We should send Karl back to New Zealand more often.