Jaden of Hāpi
A full time insurance broker with a brewery and a bar… Owner of Hapi, Jaden Hatwell, was once a semi-professional cricketer living in the UK, enjoying all the local craft beers on offer. On returning to New Zealand he had developed a palate for brewing his own.
“After a few years of honing the craft of brewing, a mate and I started Bootleg Brewery in November 2016. A small brewery set in a retired dairy factory out in Matangi. 7 years later, along came Hapi.”
Tell us a bit about you and your journey prior to Hapi
I am a born and bred Hamiltonian and true Hambassador. I went to Hamilton Boys High and then to Waikato University to do a BMS degree. Following that I played Cricket semi-professionally in NZ and the UK for 5 years, then spent another 8 years in the UK. I returned to NZ in 2011 and have been working as an Insurance Broker since then.
What came first: the love of hospitality, brewing or business?
That would be brewing, I came home from the UK and found the beer in NZ to be so bland (this was pre-craft beer days) and decided to brew my own. After a few years of perfecting the craft a mate and me started Bootleg in November 2016.
What inspired you to start Hapi Bar?
It was during a trip to Christchurch’s riverside market where I had a couple of beers at the Canterbury Craft beer bar there, and thought this would be so cool in Hamilton.
How do you actually juggle a full-time career with running two businesses?
It sure takes a lot of juggling, but I have an awesome team at Hapi who do most of the work! I’m very lucky to have basically the same team as we started 3 years ago.
What do you think makes Hapi different?
I think our it’s our range of beer, we have the best lineup of beers in Hamilton on tap (16 taps) and over 50 in bottles and cans in the fridge.
What’s your favourite thing on the menu right now?
If we are talking beer, then in the Good George Frankton IPA. Its just taken out the trophy at the NZ Brewers Guild Awards for the best Pale Ale.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Hapi?
Where we are and how cool it is!
What has been your favourite moment at Hapi so far?
Probably still our opening week, it was just so busy, hectic and fun!
What makes a great beer, in your opinion?
Hop forward beers are my favourite style, West Coast IPA’s and Hazies. The best ones have an amazing aroma and banging hop taste.
What’s been the most fun beer you’ve created?
It wasn’t me, but at Bootleg we created a Pea-Knuckle lada for GABS one year. It was a hazy IPA with coconut, white rum and pineapple flavours. Super fun.
If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Bootleg Apehanger IPA.
Favourite thing to eat at Made?
That’s a tough one. There’s so much, but I think my go-to would be a Banh Mi from On a Roll.
Favourite pastime at Made?
Easily spending time in The Golf Club, I play a bit of golf outside, but when it’s raining and you can come in here and hit a few balls on some epic courses, over a few beers with mates. Awesome.
