For the third year running, hazy ales are enjoying their own spotlight in the New World Beer & Cider Awards.
As the name implies, these beers have a hazy or cloudy appearance, hinting at the fullness of flavour they deliver. Beloved for their maximum fruity and citrus character, they are perfect for the hottest summer day or an autumnal evening.
Out of our Top 30 for 2024, five hazy ales made the cut.
Keep scrolling to discover the best of the best New Zealand-made hazy ales for 2024 plus our favourite food pairings for each beer.
Beer Baroness Slice Of Heaven
Type of beer: Hazy & juicy
Brewery: Beer Baroness
Flavours: Pineapple, passionfruit, juicy
Judges’ comments: Paying homage to a Dave Dobbyn-penned classic, this pitch-perfect beer offers a medley of heavenly hop hits in the form of Nectaron and Nelson Sauvin, two stand-out Kiwi hops that sing with tropical punchbowl flavours. The pineapple-passionfruit aroma is followed by mango, pineapple and white wine on the palate. The flavour changes as the beer gently warms up in the glass, so it’s worth taking your time to explore and savour those flavours It has a spritzy carbonation and a dry finish that brings you back for another sip. For a hazy, there’s a nice level of bitterness as well. “Hits the style markers well,” said the judges, “juicy, rich and balanced.”
Pairing Recommendation: Sweet juiciness offsets Malaysian-style Mee Goreng noodles.
For more on this beer visit: https://beerbaroness.co.nz
Buy this beer: Visit online shopping
Brew Moon Waipara New England IPA
Type of beer: Hazy & juicy
Brewery: Brew Moon Brewing Company
Flavours: Mandarin and tropical juice
Judges’ comments: Brew Moon are one of Aotearoa’s most established craft breweries with a history dating back over 20 years. Based in the North Canterbury town of Amberley, they’ve been a family-run business since the start. They’re well known for their flagship Hop Head IPA but this is their first time in the New World Beer & Cider Awards Top 30, and it’s a well-deserved appearance with an amazing hazy IPA named for the local wine region. “Bold tropical notes with grapefruit and mandarin peel. Hop aroma carries through into the palate. Medium malt sweetness, low and smooth bitterness. Balance en pointe for a juicy impression. Clean, supportive fruity esters integrate with hop profile. Great hop intensity. Excellent beer!”
Pairing Recommendation: A great beer for a southern-style BBQ: beef brisket or pulled pork.
For more on this beer visit: https://brewmoon.co.nz
Buy this beer: Visit online shopping
Hallertau Summer Time Haze
Type of beer: Hazy & juicy
Brewery: Hallertau Brewery
Flavours: Sweet orange and mandarin
Judges’ comments: Hallertau, located in the rapidly growing north-west Auckland suburb of Riverhead, stands as one of the trailblazers of the hoppy beer revolution in Aotearoa during the early 2000’s. Alongside Epic, they were pioneers of American-style hop-driven IPAs, and with Summer Time, they exemplify years of expertise with hops. The balance in this brew is as exquisite as its appearance, with a finish that is subtly sweet yet refreshingly clean. The taste profile boasts notes of sweet orange and mandarin that linger until the very last sip. Judges were impressed by how the delightful citrus aromas seamlessly transitioned into the flavor. "This hazy beer is a sight to behold. It exudes a delightful juicy hop aroma and a pronounced orange flavor. A stellar representation of this beer style."
Pairing Recommendation: Sweet orange suits Moroccan lamb shoulder with couscous, dates, goats cheese.
For more on this beer visit: www.hallertau.co.nz
Buy this beer: Visit online shopping
Mount Brewing Co Crazy Hazy Daze
Type of beer: Hazy & juicy
Brewery: Mount Brewing Co.
Flavours: Sweet, ripe pineapple
Judges’ comments: Mount Maunganui's local heroes have solidified their place in the Top 30, thanks to their exceptional ciders and flavorful beers. Their success has firmly established them as key players in the Aotearoa’s craft beer industry. Crazy Hazy Daze is a testament to the brew team's expertise, showcasing a beautifully complex beer that expertly conceals its high ABV. Judges couldn't stop praising this beer, from its stunning appearance to its luxurious texture and well-rounded mouthfeel. The tropical fruit flavors are described as mouth-watering, with hints of pineapple, sugary buns, and savory herbal notes seamlessly woven into the brew.
Pairing Recommendation: Big beer and rich texture goes well with the spicy Thai salad such as Larb Gai.
For more on this beer visit: https://mountbrewingco.com
Buy this beer: Visit online shopping
Thirsty for more top New Zealand beers?
If you’re after dark beers, lagers or more unique craft varieties, don’t forget to check out the articles linked below, or browse the Top 30 from the New World Beer & Cider Awards 2024 using our Beer Finder.
Not sure what you like? Our craft beer guide will walk you through what makes craft beer special and the different styles and flavours you can find in Aotearoa.
Related articles:
Best New Zealand craft beers for 2024
Best New Zealand IPAs and pale ales for 2024
Best New Zealand lagers and pilsners for 2024
Best New Zealand stouts and porters for 2024
About the author
Michael Donaldson is one of New Zealand’s most renowned beer writers and was named Beer Writer of the Year by the Brewers Guild of New Zealand for a third time in 2018. He has been the Chair of Judges for the New World Beer & Cider Awards since 2016.
His writing appears in North & South, The New Zealand Herald, Stuff and Drinksbiz. He is also the editor of The Pursuit of Hoppiness magazine published by the Society of Beer Advocates (SOBA). He is the author of New Zealand's definitive beer history Beer Nation - the Art and Heart of Kiwi Beer as well as The Big Book of Home Brew: a Kiwi Guide and The Hopfather, the biography of Emerson's founder Richard Emerson.