Abyss Brewing has become the UK’s first brewery to release a beer with a limited-run of the Nelson Sauvin hop variety.

Hey Moon from Abyss is a 6% IPA showcasing “dank fluffy resinous citrus fruits”.

Central to the beer is the Nelson Sauvin hop, harvested under March’s new moon, is being released to 90 breweries across 16 countries as part of a project that explores the “forces that shape hops”.

The Terranean Project is the brainchild of Eggers Hops, which are sixth generation hop growers located in the Moutere Valley, New Zealand.

For the second year of its Terranean Project, Eggers Hops has released a special Nelson Sauvin hop harvested under March’s new moon with the ‘New Moon Harvest’ collaboration featuring nearly 100 breweries from across the globe.

Commenting on the release, Abyss said the idea of using the “choicest” picking of it with a fun backstory sounded like something they could get behind. 

Nelson Sauvin Hops have exploded in craft brewing the last few years, they’re a phenomenal hop from Nelson NZ.

Bright grapefruit and citrus lead into a layered tropical profile. A green, fresh character underpins the fruit, with sweaty, dank notes adding a bold resinous edge.

Head of Abyss production Andrew Mellor, said: “The idea of experimenting with these lunar tinged Nelson hops was impossible to resist.

“These are psychedelic hops at a critical moment and the beer we brewed reflects that! Hey Moon 6% IPA is a wild ride of dank fluffy resinous citrus fruits.

“The beer has such a wonderful refined wild character, it’s definitely up there as one of our favourite Abyss IPA’s.”

We’ve bought limited amounts of Eggers Hops in the past but this event has highlighted how we can work more closely with individual farms which is really special.