Hop harvest in the southern hemisphere is just about wrapped up for another year, but that doesn’t mean we’re finished talking about it. Demeter is the Greek goddess of harvest and agriculture,* and Helios Brewing’s Demeter DDH NZ IPA is a celebration of New Zealand’s 2023 hop harvest.
For this brew, Helios partnered with Freestyle Hops, who hail from Upper Moutere at the north end of New Zealand’s south island, and built an IPA on three varieties: Rakau, Waimea and NZ Cascade (also known as Taiheke).
The Rakau brings a ton of stonefruit aroma – both the juicy fresh and the syrupy tinned variety – and some pear softness in the mouth, while the Waimea and NZ Cascade offer up balancing citrus and sharp pineapple that make their way into the upper palate.
With a heavy hopping rate – 20 grams per litre – as well as an easy sweetness and a hazy-as-all-get-out appearance, this is a fitting celebration of hop harvest indeed.
Mick Wüst
*Demeter was sometimes called “she of the grain” for short, so she’s well at home in the world of brewing.
Published April 13, 2023 2023-04-13 00:00:00
