Founded in 2014 by Plant Scientist Dr Susan Wheeler, Hop Revolution has its roots deep in the soil of early rebellion in New Zealand’s beer culture.

Back in 1980, a feisty South Island craft brewer named Terry McCashin single-handedly took on the two big breweries that controlled almost every aspect of beer production and distribution in New Zealand.

Driven by his passion for beer, he took on the big brewers by establishing his own craft brewery and his own craft beer brand (Mac’s).

Fast forward to 2014. Supported and encouraged by McCashin, Dr Susan Wheeler knew that New Zealand hop varietals still hadn’t reached their full potential.

They knew there was a whole spectrum of flavours and aromas that brewers were searching for, but New Zealand’s hop industry was controlled by a monopoly of growers that weren’t interested in growing them.

So Wheeler & McCashin decided to fight for positive change and for a greater choice for brewers. They decided to step up to the challenge and Hop Revolution was born.