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New Zealand is pretty far from everything, so competing on price for commodity bittering hops was never a great strategy for the country’s small number of hops growers. Things were pretty grim in the early 2000s, when fifth-generation farmer Brent McGlashen joined his dad working on the family farm, Mac Hops, just outside the town of Motueka on the north end of South island.
But then something mysterious and wonderful happened: Craft beer took off, and creative brewers exploring new flavors and possibilities found ways to use New Zealand’s uniquely expressive hops to make beers that no one had tasted before.
In this episode, McGlashen tells the family’s story—which mirrors the bigger story of hops in New Zealand, going from struggle to global spotlight. He also talks about their move to the next chapter: gaining a deeper understanding of the science behind how flavors develop in the hops, and the factors that influence those flavors.
Through the hour, he touches on:
- breeding hops with a difference in order to stand out
- learning what brewers want through the selection process
- the impact of soil type on expression and even cone shape in hops such as Nelson Sauvin
- planting different hop varieties in different soil blocks to support their unique growth patterns
- why West Coast–style IPA brewers gravitate toward Nelson grown in sandy, stony soil, while hazy IPA brewers consistently select those grown in heavier clay soils
- how pick timing affects flavor and aroma impact
- the range of characters in popular varieties such as Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Nectarine, Superdelic, Riwaka, Wakatu, and Rakau
- how New Zealand hops affect the shelf life of hop-forward beers
And more.
Justin Thomas, president of G&D Chillers says, “Everyone who works here at G&D Chillers shares a common goal—to be on the forefront of innovation, so we can solve problems for our customers.” For a more sustainable approach to refrigeration, we have announced our latest innovation as part of our trailblazing Elite 290 line of propane chillers. The Elite 290 Micro-series line uses a natural refrigerant, features a more compact design with variable-speed fans, and offers near-zero global warming potential. The future of sustainable refrigeration is here! To learn more about G&D Chillers and our Elite 290 line, visit G&D Chillers.com.
Brewers, what if your yeast could do more than just ferment? With Berkeley Yeast, it can! We bioengineer ordinary strains and make them extraordinary—enhancing the flavors you want and eliminating the ones you don’t. Now, in addition to competitive pricing, we’re offering free overnight shipping on 5+ barrel pitches. Try it out—if you don’t love it, we’ll happily refund you. So why settle for ordinary when you can brew with better yeast? Visit berkeleyyeast.com to learn more and start brewing with science on your side.
A day in the life of a brewer is packed enough as it is, so why not let Old Orchard assist with R&D? Custom blend development is available through our innovative R&D lab. Our bulk division supplies a wide range of beverage segments, making it the one-stop shop for flavoring beer and beyond. More information and free samples are waiting at oldorchard.com/brewer.
Taste the modern flavors of Indie Hops at CBC, this year in Indianapolis. Join Indie in Indy for 14 incredible collab beers to showcase Strata, Luminosa, Lórien, Audacia, Meridian, and more! Experience our newest hop, Audacia, in both a hazy IPA by Fidens and a West Coast IPA by Grains of Wrath. Dive the depths of Strata in T90, CGX, and HyperBoost forms with IPAs by Craft Coast and Flatland Brewing. Refresh your palate with the crisp summery flavors of Lórien in an Italian pils by Maui Brewing and a French pils by Upright Brewing. And bask in the “liquid sunshine” magic of Luminosa with IPAs from Fort George and Baerlic Brewing. Check out the full CBC beer lineup at www.indiehops.com and plan to stop by our booth #3122. We’ll be as happy to see you as you’ll be that you made the effort! Indie Hops—Life is short, let’s make it flavorful.
Are you looking to elevate your craft brewery’s branding? Steel Chill-Cups are the perfect promotional tool! Crafted from 100 percent recyclable steel and proudly made in the USA, these 16 oz cups come in vibrant red, blue, green, and gray. Designed to keep beverages cold and frosty to the touch, they enhance the drinking experience at festivals, tastings, and taprooms. Customizable branding options allow you to showcase logos and unique designs, boosting brand recognition. These stylish cups not only serve a practical purpose but also become keepsakes for beer lovers. Discover how Steel Chill-Cups can “Put your brand on every pour.” Visit SteelChillCups.com today!
Did you know that Isuzu trucks have been the best-selling low-cab-forward trucks in America every year since 1986? That’s right. For more than 38 years, the legendary durability, remarkable performance, and low cost of ownership of Isuzu trucks have made them a favorite for work-truck owners. You may have seen our Ultimate Craft Beer Truck that debuted at the Craft Brewer’s Conference in 2019, and it has been there every year since. As members of the Brewers Association, we have partnered with breweries, suppliers, and distributors alike to support the craft-beer industry. Whether you are looking for a self-distribution solution or one to deliver supplies, there is an Isuzu truck that will fit your needs. Go to isuzucv.com to check out our impressive lineup or visit an Isuzu dealer today to find out why now, more than ever, Isuzu trucks are the trucks you trust for the work you do!
Breweries don’t need just a point-of-sale system—they need a one-stop-shop operating system. That’s where Arryved comes in. Not only does Arryved offer a world-class POS built specifically for breweries, but we also provide Arryved Brewery Management, e-commerce, and more to help breweries scale and thrive. From taproom to distribution, Arryved gives breweries the tools to streamline operations and boost profits—all in one powerful platform. Want to see the latest innovations in action? Visit Arryved at CBC 2025, Booth 1865, where we’ll be pouring beers and showing off the future of brewery tech. Or, visit arryved.com to learn more. Cheers!
Attention all brewers, beverage makers, and industry pros! If you’re at this year’s CBC 2025 in Indianapolis, there’s one place you must check out—ProBrew at Booth #2801! Booth #2801 is where innovation meets refreshment. Come experience stunning animations of ProBrew’s cutting-edge beverage processing and packaging equipment in action, including the powerful ProFill rotary can filler and seamer and ProCarb Carbonation and Nitrogenation system! After experiencing our top-tier tech, why not grab a beer at our pouring station and bar? See ProBrew’s solutions in action, chat with our experts, and enjoy a perfectly poured beverage—on us. So don’t miss it—ProBrew, Booth #2801. ProBrew, Brew YOUR Beer.
Upgrade your fermentation game with Unitank 2.0 from Ss Brewtech. Featuring a laser-welded cooling jacket for efficient and precise temperature control, an innovative silicone racking arm, and a carbonation stone that lets you carbonate right in the fermentor, Unitank 2.0 is engineered to help you get the most out of your fermentations! Available from 7-gallon up to 1-barrel sizes, Unitank 2.0 will be right at home in your homebrew set up or producing pilot batches at your commercial brewery. Visit Ss Brewtech.com to learn more!