Hop Federation

What Hop Federation does

Hop Federation is a craft brewery founded in 2013 in Riwaka, in New Zealand's Top of the South Island hop country, producing a hop-forward range of NZ-style ales and lagers. Its portfolio spans a year-round core range — Pale Ale, Pilsner, Hazy IPA, West Coast Pilsner, Red IPA, Stout, Lager, Wheat Beer, Gose and Belgian Strong — alongside a high-velocity rotation of seasonal fresh-hop and experimental releases and packaged mixed packs. Sourcing is anchored on local New Zealand hop varieties (Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Taiheke, Rakau), positioning the brand around provenance and freshness rather than scale brewing.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer revenue comes from an e-commerce storefront with nationwide shipping and an on-site taproom at 627 Main Road Riwaka. Wholesale revenue is generated through 200+ stockists across New Zealand, spanning major supermarket chains (New World, Pak 'n Save, Woolworths), liquor retailers (Liquorland, The Bottle-O) and on-premise venues (bars, restaurants, clubs). Pricing is unit-based, with multi-pack bundles retailing between NZD $80 and $122.

Since 2025 the company has operated under DNA Brewing Limited, a subsidiary of Ant Moore Group, with production led by brewer Dave Nicholls. Hop Federation is a microbrewery with 1-10 employees and no external funding rounds or disclosed financials; its competitive position rests on brand heritage, regional hop provenance and an established national distribution footprint rather than scale or technology differentiation.

Name

Hop Federation

Legal name

DNA Brewing Limited

Website

https://hopfederation.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Brewing

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Spirits/Cocktail Bars Operated by Producers (THAFALAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA), Alcohol, Tobacco & Cannabis Inventory-led Online Retailers (CRAFADAO)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Hop-forward ales
• Fresh hop beer
• New Zealand craft brewery
• Packaged beer bundles

Headquarters

HQ city

Riwaka

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Online sales of packaged beer (cans, bottles) shipped directly to consumers across New Zealand. Products sold include mixed boxes, individual beer varieties, and seasonal releases.
2. Taproom Sales: On-site sales of draft and packaged beer at the Riwaka taproom location.
3. Wholesale to Retailers: Wholesale distribution of beer to on-premise venues (bars, restaurants) and off-licence retailers (liquor stores, supermarkets) throughout New Zealand.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Hop Federation is a craft brewery that produces and sells a range of hop-forward packaged craft beers (Pale Ale, Pilsner, Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, Red IPA, Stout, Lager and others) in cans, alongside seasonal fresh-hop and limited experimental releases. Its products are sold directly to consumers via an e-commerce website and Riwaka taproom, and wholesale to on-premise venues and off-licence retailers throughout New Zealand.

Product overview

Hop Federation is a craft brewery based in Riwaka, New Zealand, operating as part of the DNA Brewing family since 2025. Founded in 2013, the brewery specializes in hop-forward, refreshing, and high-quality beers. Their portfolio consists of a core range of year-round beers including Pale Ale, Pilsner, Hazy IPA, West Coast IPA, Red IPA, Stout, Lager, Wheat Beer, Gose, Belgian Strong, and various seasonal offerings. Additionally, they offer limited experimental and seasonal releases, and packaged bundles including Mixed Box (6 Pack), New Release Pilsner Box, and Fresh Hop Mixed Pack. The company operates a taproom at 627 Main Road Riwaka and distributes through extensive stockist networks across New Zealand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pale Ale Golden, light-bodied core range Pale Ale with tropical fruit aromas at 5.1% ABV. Available in cans for retail and wholesale customers.
• Pilsner Quintessential New Zealand Pilsner featuring Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops, with aromas of lychee, citrus and grapefruit.
• How's The View West Coast Pilsner West Coast style Pilsner with Nectaron, Taiheke and Citra hops, delivering citrus and tropical fruit with dry bitterness at 5.6% ABV.
• Hazy IPA Juicy Hazy IPA packed with tropical and citrus flavours and a hint of bitterness, at 5.4% ABV.
• Fields of Green Hazy IPA Hazy IPA with grapefruit, lemon and lychee flavours and mandarin/lemon zest aromas, at 5.8% ABV.
• Red IPA Red IPA offering passionfruit aromas combined with berries, tart ruby grapefruit and malt, at 6.4% ABV.
• Stout Dark, full-bodied Stout with aromas of coffee, dark chocolate, vanilla, cherries and a touch of cigar, at 5.5% ABV.
• Lager Refreshingly simple lager with soft malty sweetness, gentle bitterness and a clean finish, at 4.5% ABV.
• Green Limousine Fresh Hop IPA Seasonal fresh hop IPA featuring Nelson Sauvin hops from the Top of the South; golden, fresh and balanced at 6% ABV.
• Fresh Hop Pilsner Seasonal Pilsner packed with freshly picked Motueka and Taiheke hops, delivering zingy, zesty citrus aromas and flavours.
• Mixed Box (6 Pack) Selection bundle containing 2x Pilsner, 2x Hazy IPA and 2x Pale Ale in 330ml cans, priced at $93.50 per 6 pack.
• New Release Pilsner Box 2026 Seasonal bundled box of 6x How's The View West Coast Pilsner (440ml) and 6x Hop Federation Pilsner (330ml), priced at $80 per box with free standard shipping.
• Hop Federation + DNA Fresh Hop Mixed Pack Limited release fresh hop mixed box with 4x Green Limousine Fresh Hopped IPA, 4x Fresh Hop Pilsner and 4x DNA Holmdale Farm Fresh Hop Pale Ale (all 440ml), priced at $115 per box.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• DNA BrewingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, Hop Federation joined DNA Brewing family, led by renowned brewer Dave Nicholls. This partnership ensures Hop Federation's production remains firmly rooted in the Top of the South. The integration combines brewing expertise and allows for continued growth while maintaining Hop Federation's legacy and quality standards.
• Ant Moore GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHop Federation trades under Ant Moore Group (DNA Brewery / Hop Federation), which also includes Marlborough Vintners, NZ Wine Producers, Ant Moore Brands, and The Fancy Cow. Ant Moore Group handles corporate functions including privacy policy and terms of service for Hop Federation.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Stone & Wood Brewing: Leading Australian independent craft brewery (Byron Bay) with multi-channel distribution and taproom experience. Comparable as an independent craft brewer focused on quality and regional terroir; differs primarily by geography (Australia vs NZ).

Direct peers

• Garage Project: Wellington-based NZ craft brewery known for hop-forward, experimental beers with nationwide distribution and a taproom. Closely comparable to Hop Federation in size, product style (IPAs, pilsners, seasonal releases), and DTC-plus-wholesale GTM.
• Sawmill Brewery: Brewery and restaurant in Matakana/Stanmore Bay, NZ offering a wide range of craft beers with a taproom experience. Comparable to Hop Federation in combining brewery operations with on-premise hospitality.
• Tuatara Brewing: Established NZ craft brewery (Kapiti Coast) producing a wide range of beers with national distribution through supermarkets and on-premise. Directly comparable to Hop Federation as an independent NZ craft brewer with hop-forward IPAs and pilsners.
• Epic Brewing Company: Auckland-based NZ craft brewery known for hop-forward IPAs with strong domestic distribution and export presence. Comparable to Hop Federation in product style and craft positioning, though slightly larger in scale.
• Panhead Custom Ales: Upper Hutt-based NZ craft brewery specializing in hop-forward IPAs and pale ales with nationwide supermarket and on-premise distribution. Direct peer given similar product mix, channel strategy, and NZ craft positioning.

Broad incumbents

• BrewDog: Global craft brewery with extensive bar/brewery footprint and DTC online sales. Comparable multi-channel craft GTM to Hop Federation but operates at vastly larger international scale.
• Mac's Brewbar: NZ craft beer brand owned by Lion with national supermarket distribution. Comparable broad market reach to Hop Federation but operates as part of Lion's mainstream portfolio rather than an independent craft player.
• Monteiths Brewing Company: Heritage NZ craft-style brand (West Coast) owned by Lion (Kirin), with broad supermarket distribution across NZ. Comparable channel reach to Hop Federation but at significantly larger scale and as part of a global beverage portfolio.

Emerging players

• Yeastie Boys: Wellington-based NZ craft brewery with a focus on hop-forward and experimental beers. Comparable product philosophy to Hop Federation though at a smaller, more boutique scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/hopfederation
• Xx.com/Hopfederation
• Facebookfacebook.com/hopfederation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hop-federation-brewery

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hop Federation