Over at Bach they've been on the hops again ... big intense West Coast USA hops! The classic Californian West Coast IPA style originates from the late 70's and emerged in NZ circa just twenty years ago. All about the perfect balance between alcohol, malted barley, and high intensity of hops, to deliver max flavour and drinkability, they brewed their more modern take with a truckload of fruit driven hops including Idaho 7, Mosaic, Citra, and Simcoe.

Over at Bach they've been on the hops again... and reflecting how fortunate they are to outsource their brewing & packaging to Steam Brewing, whose team, passion, endless investment, and expertise are such an integral part of Bach for 11 years now. Juiced in Otahuhu is brewed with Idaho, Mosaic, Motueka, Nectaron and Superdelic hops on a juicy base of Gladfield malts.

Originating from East Coast USA, the New England or Hazy IPA style de-emphasizes hop bitterness and showcases hop flavour and aroma reminiscent of tropical fruit juice. Bach Brewing have brewed their first hazy IPA with a juicy combination of Maris Otter; wheat malts, oats, and a truck load of tropical fruit driven hops from NZ, Australia and USA. 6.2% ABV.

When a certain tiny-handed tangerine tyrant floated the idea of annexing Canada as the 51st state Behemoth sent Churly undercover - decked out in Mountie red, waving the Stars and Stripes, and rocking a cowboy hat. The result? A Canadian Red IPA that's enough red to make both flags proud, equal parts bold, bitter, and slightly confused about which side of the border it's on. Big on malty richness with a strong, hoppy backbone (just like a true Canuck), 51st State is a salute to what happens when diplomacy meets delusion-and beer wins. Drink it before someone tries to build a wall up north.

You know the classic choccy fish? Soft, sweet, raspberry-filled memories of childhood? Well, this ain't that. This is the Big Fish & it's gone rogue. It's eaten all the little fish, raided the raspberry patch, and done a cannonball into a vat of rich, velvety chocolate. At a boozy 8%, this imperial stout is swimming in decadence, diving deep into dessert territory with waves of lush raspberry and a tsunami of dark chocolate. It's big, it's bold, and it's definitely not safe for school lunches. One sip and you'll be hooked.

This strong malty lager is made to be drunk out of big steins (you will use 2.27 of these 440ml cans to fill up a proper stein or Maß in German). Chur-toberfest Festival Lager is brewed for Churly's annual Chur-toberfest celebration in Mt Eden, Auckland. It is made using Behemoth's house lager yeast, Pilsner Malt, Vienna Malt. Munich Malt and Hallertau Blanc hops to make a German lager so flavourful but refreshing. It is made to be drunk responsibly in your favourite Lederhosen or Dirndl and enjoyed alongside some quality Schweinshaxe, Würst or giant Brezel. Prost!

Introducing Hop Buddies #43: Don & Vlad, a Hazy IPA so good, it could broker the worst kind of peace talks. These two go together like sanctions and loopholes, swapping hops while the world burns brighter than their spray tans and propaganda machines combined. Behemoth have double downed on the haze with Citra and El Dorado hops, because seeing things clearly was never their strong suit anyway. So crack this can, toast to unlikely friendships, and while Don & Vlad are busy playing Risk with the planet, at least your biggest threat (right now...) is an empty glass.

Folks, let me tell you, I've had a lot of beers. Some say the best beers. But this one? This one is tremendous. It's big, it's strong - just like my relationship with my good friend Vlad. We get along so well. Some people, very nasty people, say I shouldn't be his lapdog, but guess what? I'm back, baby! Back on his lap, getting all the belly rubs, and let me tell you - it's the best lap. So warm, so powerful, just like this Double Hazy IPA. We're talking double dry-hopped, folks. Huge flavour, bigger than NATO's problems. It's juicy, it's hazy, and let's be honest - just like my foreign policy, it's got zero transparency. One sip and you'll be begging for more, just like me begging for Vlad's approval. And the hops? Massive. Trust me, I know hops. Nobody knows hops better than me. Some say this is collusion. I say it's delicious.

Brewed in cahoots with Behemoth's crispy, spicy mates at Peach's Hot Chicken, this American Pale Ale is made for sittin', sippin', and snackin'. At a perfectly sessionable strength, Porch Pounder brings the hoppy goods without knocking you off your rocking chair. Aromatic, citrus'y and flavourful, it's the ultimate sidekick to a plate of hot fried chicken-with just enough bitterness to cut through the grease and enough malt to cool the heat. It's a match made in mouth-watering heaven.

Brewed in honour of American bootleggers from the Prohibition days, this APA is loaded with malt characters, citrus notes, all-American aroma hops and a crisp bitter finish. Enjoy it before someone makes fun illegal again.

You can't see through it, but that never stopped anyone from clearing a path to pastures new. Yep, BRB's lightly hazed IPA takes your taste buds to that floral citrus hoppy place before levelling out on a malty plateau that few have ever reached.

Full flavoured & dripping with drama, with Ale & Wheat malts and packed full of local and exotic aroma hops. This lightly hazed Pale Ale is true to style with a tropical, juicy fruit aroma lingering aloft a heavyset malt body. De-lish