Yakima Chief Hops (YCH), a 100% grower owned global hop supplier, and New Zealand Hops Ltd. (NZ Hops), the only Grower Cooperative in New Zealand have entered into a global partnership. This is a defining moment in the hop industry as two organizations who share similar values as being grower-led change the game by joining the most important aroma hop markets in the world to bring tremendous tasting and aromatic hops to brewers around the globe. Always pursuing their mission to connect brewers and growers, YCH is excited to have brewers worldwide share that same connection with not just the growers of the Pacific Northwest, but those from New Zealand as well.

What does that mean for you, our valued brewer customers?

  • NZ Hops will now be available through YCH for any brewery around the world where we currently operate. These will also be available through our distributor partners we work with in the market. You will now have access to the sought-after New Zealand hop varieties through your YCH account. It’s simple to add these varieties to your hop playbook! Connect with our YCH regional sales team or purchase through our website: SHOP HERE
  • Currently, YCH is offering immediate availability of New Zealand varieties in T-90 pellet form.
  • COMING SOON: New Zealand Hops in Cryo Hops® brand pellet form! Following the 2023 harvest in spring, YCH plans to produce the following varieties into their patented Cryo Hops® brand pellet form: Nelson Sauvin™, Motueka™, Wai-iti™, Wakatu™, Riwaka™, and Nectaron®.

YCH was founded on the mission to connect family hop farms with the world’s finest brewers. “Connecting family hop farms doesn’t just mean the families here in our back yard.” says Bryan Pierce, YCH’s Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, “Many of the growers from NZ Hops are cut from the same cloth, and are multi-generational families who have a passion for hops in their blood just like those here in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.”

In a global partnership, YCH will be a preferred supplier of NZ Hops products around the world. “Our farms have the best quality hops grown in New Zealand but we needed a partner that could help us get them to the world. There is no one better than Yakima Chief Hops when it comes to global access and reliability.” says Blair Stewart, NZ Hops General Manager Sales & Marketing.

NZ Hops varieties in T-90 pellet form will be available through YCH immediately. Following the 2023 harvest in spring, YCH plans to produce the following varieties into their patented Cryo Hops® brand pellet form: Nelson Sauvin™, Motueka™, Wai-iti™, Wakatu™, Riwaka™, and Nectaron®. 

New Zealand Hop Variety Highlight

Nelson Sauvin™

(10-13 % AA)

AROMA PROFILE: Citrus, Tropical, White Wine

Developed by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research hop breeding program and released in 2000, Nelson Sauvin is a triploid variety bred from the New Zealand Smoothcone and a selected New Zealand male. It is known for being one of the most unique hop varieties, displaying strong fruit and white wine aroma characteristics.

Motueka™

(6-8% AA)

AROMA PROFILE: Fruity, Lemon, Lime, Tropical

Developed by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research hop breeding program and released in 1996, Motueka is a cross between a New Zealand breeding selection and Saaz. It offers a unique aroma and flavor profile suitable for producing big beer styles. Motueka performs well when used in multiple additions from a single hop bill.

Wakatu™

(5-8.5% AA)

AROMA PROFILE: Citrus, Grassy Woody

Developed by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research hop breeding program and released in 1988, as Hallertau Aroma, Wakatu was renamed in 2011. It is a triplod variety with two thirds Hallertauer Mittelfrüher parentage. Wakatu™ is a well rounded variety with strong, fresh citrus characteristics and some bittering capabilities.

Kohatu®

(6-7%)

AROMA PROFILE:  Berry, Floral, Passion fruit, Tropical

Developed by the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research hop breeding program and released in 2011, Kohatu® is a descendant of Hallertauer Mittlefruher. It works well in single hop applications and is described as having intense fruit characteristics.