Garage Project - Fresh - March 25

It's March. The spotlight is on the hop harvest here in NZ, and that means a storm of visiting international brewers, collabs, farm visits and hands coated in resin from the selection table. FRESH MAR arrives too early for new season lots, but in a month dedicated wholly to hops, it would be a crime to deliver anything less than the lushest lupulin offering. A Light Lager base with a double hit of Big O malted oats & Harraway’s finest Jumbo Rolled Oats, topped off with Chit Wheat, bringing an extra creamy texture and mouthfeel, chock full of dense foam and haze positive protein. Then there's a solid foundation of hot side Idaho-7 Cryo, and an extra generous dry hop of Freestyle Motueka, Mosaic, Galaxy and Mosaic cryo. Crack that can and pour it into your favourite glass - I swear there’s a green tinge to this luscious pale gold brew, with heavy citrus aroma off the beat, then a tag team of tangerine & white grapefruit and subtle ripe peach in tow. A surprise mouthful of mango on the first sip, followed by fresh baked apricot danish, confectioner’s cream and then just a touch of sweet orange zest and tangerine following through from the nose. It’s a juicy journey, complex and rich while still managing to be superbly drinkable. A banger of a FRESH offering for the hoppiest month of our year.