Sprig + Fern’s Rockstar Brew Returns

After playing a small set at Smith’s NZIPA Challenge at the weekend, Sprig + Fern’s rockstar brew takes to the taps of Sprig + Fern Taverns from today.

Headliner Hazy NZIPA is the third iteration in the Headliner series of beers, following last June’s Headliner ft. NZH-106 NZIPA, the world’s first commercially available brew to contain experimental hop NZH-106 of NZ Hops’ Bract Brewing Programme, and its October 2023 follow up, Encore ft. NZH-106 NZIPA.

Both Headliner and Encore were incredibly well received, with the former making the ‘beers of the year’ lists of several notable beer writers and critics in 2023.

A third outing was inevitable, and after receiving a new shipment of NZH-106, the brewing team have elected to bring a new dimension to the brew by presenting it as a hazy.

This has resulted in a beer with many of the beloved characteristics of original Headliner and Encore, but with a sweeter and more lush profile. The fruit salad notes are juicier than in the predecessors, with obvious sweet orange, mango and stone fruit notes, with a hint of ripe berries – the latter reminiscent of another hop variety, Superdelic™.

Headliner Hazy NZIPA is available from today in Sprig + Fern Taverns, as well as online and on shelves of leading supermarkets and liquor stores. Having also secured a top twelve finish at the NZIPA Challenge held in Queenstown at the weekend, Headliner Hazy NZIPA also features in a mixed box compiled by BeerHug, containing the twelve finalist brews from the event.