Today, we’re hopping on a plane and heading to New Zealand — home of insane landscapes, Lord of the Rings, dedicated rugby fans and, of course, Motueka hops. Named after the town of Motueka on the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, nestled at the shores of the Tasman Bay, Motueka is a relatively new variety — the offspring of an unnamed New Zealand variety and one of our favorite Noble hops, Saaz. Part of the “Hops with a Difference” initiative from New Zealand Hops Limited, Motueka is beloved by brewers for its versatility and distinct characteristics, from both a bittering perspective as well as an aromatic perspective. Throw it in the boil or throw it in the dry hop — either way, aromas and flavors of fresh crushed citrus, Mojito lime character, lively lemon and hints of tropical fruit become part of the beer. So where can you find Motueka? In today’s Peaks and Pints’ beer flight, Craft Beer Crosscut 4.3.18: A Flight of Motueka.
Ecliptic Phaser Hazy IPA
6.5% ABV, 45 IBU
John Harris’ background is one steeped in Oregon’s rich craft brewing history. After beginning as a brewer at McMenamins’ breweries, he moved to Deschutes where he created the recipes for Mirror Pond, Black Butte Porter, Jubelale and Obsidian Stout. He spent the next 20 years of his career as a brewmaster at Full Sail in charge of creating the Brewmaster Reserve line of beers. In 2013, Harris founded Ecliptic Brewing purchasing the brewhouse from friend and Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione. Harris’ love for brewing and astronomy shines as he pushes the limits, including the haze craze with Phaser Hazy IPA. Juicy and unfiltered, Phaser features Citra, Azacca, Mosaic, Motueka and Calypso hops for juicy grapefruit dominating the aroma and taste. It also has tropical fruit notes in the middle and finish.
Modern Times Booming Rollers
6.8% ABV, 75 IBU
Modern Times Beer names the delicious fruits of their labor after “utopian experiments and mythological utopias.” But when it comes to this special release, the term “Booming Rollers” refers to the name of The Big Lake of the Booming Rollers in Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories — a beloved collection of fantastic children’s stories. Modern Times’ Booming Rollers offers wave after wave of Citra, Motueka and Centennial IPA hops. Citra waves reach the highest point, but this IPA is amplified with the dark stone fruit character of New Zealand-grown Motueka hops for tropics of pineapple and papaya plus the constant slow rolling wave of citrus. The finish isn’t overly dry, allowing more of that epic nectar to slowly evaporate off our palates, leaving a hint of lip smacking pineapple behind. Booming Rollers offer a firm bitterness, thanks to Centennial, yet all the juicy fruit goodness was not completely overtaken.
Stone Buzzer Beater Double IPA
9.4% ABV, 65 IBU
Stone Brewing’s Buzzer Beater Double IPA has a roster of five hops added to the dry hop: Mandarina Bavaria and Mosaic provide the juicy orange flavors; Motueka, Citra and Helga assist the dank and piney aroma. Yes, hops are king, but the significant malt sweetness is present as well. This well-balanced DIPA isn’t overly resinous but instead delivers juicy citrus with piney overtones. Stone, once again, shows its absolute mastery of lupulin science.
Stone IPA
6.9% ABV, 71 IBU
Since leading the San Diego lupulin charge in the mid-’90s, Stone Brewing Co. grew into the country’s 10th largest craft brewing company behind sales of some of the planet’s hoppiest creations, many of which are … you guessed it … IPAs. Stone IPA explodes with tropical, citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas — thanks to Azacca, Magnum, Chinook, Centennial, Calypso, Motueka, Ella and Vic Secret hops — all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. This crisp, extra hoppy brew is hugely refreshing on a hot day.
Iron Goat Head Butt IPA
6.7% ABV, 90 IBU
Iron Goat Head Butt sounds menacing, but the brewery’s name hearkens back to Expo ’74, the world’s fair that took place in Spokane in 1974. The brewery is named after a garbage-eating goat sculpture at the fair. A year after moving into their new digs in downtown Spokane Iron Goat Brewing Co. now distributes in Tacoma, including Peaks and Pints in Tacoma’s Proctor District. Owned by couples Greg and Heather Brandt and Paul Edminster and Sheila Evans, the increased production capacity allows for more consistent distribution of both bottled and draft beers in the local market and the recent expansion into Western Washington. The Head Butt IPA receives its a biscuity character from Munich malt, and lemon and lime flavors and aromas from New Zealand’s Motueka hop.
