Hāpi Research Ltd has partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries to deliver Hāpi – Brewing Success, a $13.25 million, seven-year Primary Growth Partnership programme. The new joint craft beer and hop breeding programme will develop unique super-premium hops for craft brewers and uniquely New Zealand craft beer for top tier markets.
Hāpi Research Ltd is a joint venture between Garage Project, a leading Wellington craft brewer, and Freestyle Farms, a leading Nelson hop farm, and will grow as more like-minded businesses and research partners join the industrywide efforts.
“Our programme will pursue research to enhance and differentiate super-premium hop and craft beer markets and boost growth of both industries,” said Freestyle Farms director David Dunbar. “By collaborating across industries we’ll accelerate development of unique Kiwi hops, promote uniquely New Zealand craft beer and open up new areas to hop growing.”
Hop growing will be supported by research on new precision agriculture practices and processing methods, and licensing for the hops will be limited to New Zealand growers.
Garage Project CEO Tom Greally said the programme intends to support entry into new markets for New Zealand craft brewers and enable new grower and brewer business models.
“We want to create a sustainable point of difference for New Zealand grown hops and craft beer,” he said. “Through the programme, we want to understand the unique chemical compounds of our hops that produce New Zealand flavours, and how to best accentuate them in finished beer.”
