Introducing Hop Buddies #43: Don & Vlad, a Hazy IPA so good, it could broker the worst kind of peace talks. These two go together like sanctions and loopholes, swapping hops while the world burns brighter than their spray tans and propaganda machines combined. Behemoth have double downed on the haze with Citra and El Dorado hops, because seeing things clearly was never their strong suit anyway. So crack this can, toast to unlikely friendships, and while Don & Vlad are busy playing Risk with the planet, at least your biggest threat (right now...) is an empty glass.

Hot Dogs and Hazy IPA's, what's not to love? This beer was originally brewed especially for Behemoth's 1st Annual Hot Dog eating contest at Rogue and Vagabond for the Road to Beervana in Wellington. This beer uses Citra Hops and Citra Cryo Hops to create a tropical, citrus, refreshing IPA. It does go down well after a hot dog. It also goes down well after 12 hot dogs. Or, well dammit, it goes down well if you have had no hot dogs. Feel free to have as many or as little hot dogs as you please. Please note, this beer contains no hot dogs as that would just be gross.

In Ya Face Double IPA is not here to fornicate with arachnids. Loaded with an absolutely ridiculous amount of bold, brash, unapologetically in-your-face hops from the good ol' US of A, this beer doesn't do subtle. It does LOUD. It does INTENSE. It does "Oh wow, I just got slapped in the face with hops, and I think I liked it." Let's be real, this is not the kind of beer you sip daintily at a poetry reading. It's the beer you reach for when you want your flavour turned up to eleven and your senses thoroughly awakened.

This beer is inspired by Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is a crazy, vibrant place; full of live music, in every bar, at all times of day and night. It's a place famous for hot chicken, cowboy boot stores, and a never ending flow of hen nights. This place is pretty much the Vegas of the south. With its blend of beer, food, and culture Behemoth could only think of one hop that would sum the place up; Mosaic. So, this Hazy IPA is chock full of Mosaic hops to represent how many things are going on in Music City. It's a Mosaic of experiences and flavours. Enjoy Ya'll.

Back from the grave and holier than thou, No New Pope is Behemoth's big, bold, Black Smoked Imperial Stout. This stout is rich, roasty, and cloaked in divine smoke, like incense in a cathedral... if that incense was set on fire by a pyromaniac monk with a taste for strong beer. Churly channelling some papal mischief behind the big chair. No heresy here, just heavenly dark malts, smoky whispers, and enough body to make you question your faith (in weaker stouts).

If you're the kind who hankers after notes of smoke and tobacco but doesn't fancy the off-putting pictures on the pack, this heavily oaked stout should serve the purpose. Rich, dark and woody, Blood & Bone takes Boneface for a walk down the dark end of the street.

This collision of a strong, clean Imperial Pilsner with generous fresh Riwaka is no accident. Bone shaker gives you that crisp hit of a great Pilsner but then follows through with a robust hop profile, adding fruit and floral characters that go well beyond mere texture. Imperial-level strength helps push the hops and the firm, dry bitterness over the top. One might even lose their head over it.

Boneface Brewing are keeping it down home with this blend of citrus and passionfruit flavours from kiwi hops. Music to your tastebuds.

Boneface Brewing are keeping it down home with this blend of citrus and passionfruit flavours from kiwi hops. Music to your tastebuds.

Stand well back, it's time for weightier matters. Deadlift drops a ton of Citra, Rakau and Nelson Sauvin into a powerful Double IPA that punches you in the nose, overwhelms your palate and leaves you in a daze of citrus, stonefruit, gooseberry, grape and pear. Heavy lifting even for the committed hop fanatic so bend your knees and don't use your back like crane.

Goses are soured salty wheat ales with lemon, lime, coriander and such, not usually dry hopped. But then the Bract Project chose Boneface for an exclusive experiment with one of their new varieties. Enjoy the citrus and tropical fruit delights of NZH-106.

This ever so slightly Hazy Pale Ale shows lots of robust hop character while staying light on its feet.