A 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.

The beers, released in October and November have started with beers such as Drenched New Moon, an 8.8% Double IPA from New Jersey Beer Co.

“For the new moon hop, we needed a lot that was at the ideal maturity and sensory to harvest,” said Kem Eggers, co-founder and chief horticulturalist at Eggers Hops.

“I’ve always been curious about what really influences hop maturity and aroma. We know soil, weather and picking time all play their part. But what else might be going on? What about the celestial influences?”

What started as a question in a hop garden is now being explored at opposite ends of the brewing world. From Aliment Brewing, 18km down the road from Eggers Hops, to Norm Brewing, 18,000km away in Belgium. 

Breweries in New Zealand, Japan, Brazil, France, the UK and the US are all bringing their own interpretation to the glass. From tiny independent taprooms to some of the biggest names in the industry, all brewing the same hop, all in on the same idea.

Amanda Cardinali, owner of The Seed: A Living Beer Project, added: “I love the imagery, meaning, and intangible aura captured by harvesting hops under a new or full moon. The moon has so much power and energy, and it’s so special to harness that in an ingredient shared with us to use.

“When so much of what we try to do with beer is connect people, this is such a special example of connecting people from across the world through a shared interest in meaning and intent.”