Close-up of a hop plant with green leaves and yellow hop cones growing on a vine in a hop farm with mountains in the background.
A computer screen displaying a data visualization, such as a bar chart.

Hāpi growing the value of New Zealand Hops

Story and Mission

Hāpi Research (HRL) is an industry-led hop innovation initiative formed to champion the future of New Zealand-grown hops. Grown in Aotearoa’s pristine soils and shaped by its one-of-a-kind and climate, our hops are famous for their vivid aromatic profiles, found nowhere else on the planet. We believe the world deserves to know more about them!

HRL is a commercial joint venture between Garage Project and Freestyle Hops, collaborators with a shared passion for New Zealand hops and craft beer. Together with our co-investment partner New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, we are proud to lead Hāpi - Brewing Success - a programme focused on research, innovation and market development aimed at advancing New Zealand’s position as a global leader in aroma hops and craft beer.

Our mission:

To be world leaders in aroma hop innovation by breeding exceptional new varietals, investing in progressive, sustainable growing practices and bringing bold Kiwi hops to brewers and markets around the globe.

We support:

• Hop breeding programmes that push boundaries to create high-impact hop varieties that express the uniqueness of our New Zealand terroir.

• Farming and processing research that lifts quality, resilience, and sustainability —from hop garden to glass.

• Market development through global brewer collaborations that bring new varietals to life in real beers.

• Sensory and aroma science to help brewers unlock the distinctive flavours New Zealand hops have to offer.

Reimagining the world of hops and New Zealand’s place in it.

A man with a gray beard wears a black cap with 'GP' on it and a brown vest, holding a small green object, and stands in a lush green vineyard.
Person weighing green powder on a laboratory scale for measuring or analysis in a kitchen or lab setting.
A hand holding a glass of beer with a foam head, the glass has a colorful logo with the word 'HÄPI' on it, and the background is blurred with bokeh lights.
Collection of black and white logos and text for various organizations and projects, including HĀPI Hip Research Centre, freestyle hops from New Zealand, Garage Project Wellington, and Ministry for Primary Industries.

Our Projects

  • A young green plant sprouting from dry soil with small rocks and purple sprouts around it.

    Hop Breeding

    At the core of Hāpi Research is our hop breeding programme and the bold vision behind it. The programme aims to develop new, high-impact hop varieties that embody the flavour, resilience and full expression of New Zealand’s unique terroir.

    Using a range of breeding methods from open pollination to precision cross-breeding we’re expanding the genetic diversity of breeding material, accelerating the development of exciting new hops and exploring what’s possible in aroma hop innovation.

  • A person wearing a high-visibility yellow shirt, headphones, and sunglasses operating a tractor in a vineyard with green grape vines growing along the rows.

    Precision Farming

    Hāpi is dedicated to pioneering best in class growing, harvesting, and processing techniques tailored to New Zealand’s environment. Our research is geared toward elevating quality, sustainability and long-term viability — from field to kiln.

    We are especially focused on understanding the chemical and sensory compounds that make our hops unlike anything else and how to preserve that character every step of the way.

    See the Resources page for research outcomes to date.

    See the Resources
  • Stacked metallic silver boxes of Freestyle Hops beer with green labels reading 'RAKAU' and information about New Zealand grown hops.

    Market development

    Hāpi’s market development work is all about putting New Zealand hops on the global map and into the hands of brewers who can show the world what they can do.

    At the centre of this effort are brewing collaborations that highlight the full flavour potential of Aotearoa-grown hops, including early access to new and experimental varieties. By teaming up with respected breweries both here and overseas, we’re helping introduce these unique hops to new audiences through limited releases and flavour-forward beers that speak for themselves.

    Our annual Hāpi Symposium brings growers, brewers, and researchers together to share insights, trial new cultivars and strengthen the global connections that power the craft beer and hop communities.

  • Two colorful beer cans with vibrant illustrated labels featuring a mountain landscape, animals, and abstract designs, placed on a wooden surface.

    Uniquely NZ Craft Beer

    Hāpi supports brewers in unlocking the full flavour expression of New Zealand-grown hops.

    We’re focused on better understanding the role of key aroma compounds, especially thiols, terpenes and esters and how they shape flavour in the glass. By working with brewers to explore the impact of yeast strains, biotransformation, and technique, we’re helping push the boundaries of what NZ hops can do.

    In collaboration with New Zealand universities, we’ve built out analytical tools to track these compounds from cone to keg, giving us deeper insights into how they behave during the brewing process. These learnings feed directly into our hop breeding programme, guiding the selection of new varietals with standout aroma chemistry and high biotransformation potential.

    Latest Beer
Green leafy plants growing in a garden or farm bed with a garden irrigation system and a mesh fencing in the background.

New Hop Varietes

For us, it’s all about hops that deliver. From cutting-edge breeding to hands-on collaboration with brewers, Hāpi is obsessed with creating hops that truly perform in the glass. Just unrivalled flavour, aroma, and real results in finished beer, so watch this space!

We expect to make further announcements on new hop varieties post-harvest 2026.

Hāpi Progress Report

Hāpi – Brewing Success

This programme will help New Zealand growers and brewers to explore new opportunities for premium hop growing and craft beer. It aims to make New Zealand globally recognised for unique, premium hops and craft beers.

 FAQs

  • HRL is a joint venture between Garage Project, a Wellington-based brewery known for pushing boundaries and Freestyle Hops, one of Nelson’s leading growers. We came together to launch a world-class hop breeding programme, supported by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) - See Link

  • MPI supports our project through the Primary Growth Partnership programme. It contributes matching funding of 40% towards Hāpi Research’s qualifying R&D efforts. More information can be found on the MPI website

    (Link Here)

  • Hop breeding process that takes time and rigour. Our pipeline includes new varietals at different stages of testing and market trial. While broad commercial release is expected by mid-2027, you may spot some early batches in limited-release beers as part of our testing programme.

  • You can touch base with us through our contact form, or talk to Matt Crowther or Sam Immers if you are interested in the Hāpi Symposium. We’re always open to connecting with brewers and growers who share our passion for innovation and flavour.

    Contact Us