AAB 029 - The Science and Sensory of Fresh Hop Beers
Sep 21, 2023
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Discussion on the popularity of fresh hop beers during the season, sensory experience of fresh hop beers and decline in hop quality, introduction to Jeff Daly and his role in managing sensory panels, significance of Single Hill Brewing and hop breeding, unique fresh hop beer program and pelletizing process, lively atmosphere of brewery during hot purpose, evolution of a Spanish brewery
Fresh hop beers are brewed using freshly harvested hops, showcasing unique flavors and aromas.
Breweries collaborate with hop farms to create recipe formulations on the spot, resulting in unpredictable and exciting fresh hop beers.
Managing tank space and brewing schedules, as well as collaborating with hop farms, is crucial for breweries during the short window of availability for fresh hops.
Deep dives
Overview of Fresh Hop Beers
Fresh hop beers, also known as wet hop beers, are highly sought after during the fresh hop season. These beers are brewed using hops that are freshly harvested, showcasing the unique flavors and aromas that can only be achieved with freshly picked hops. The process involves using hops that have a higher water content, which can make extraction more challenging. However, these beers offer a delightful and intense hop character, with a focus on showcasing the natural flavors and aromas of the hop varieties used. Breweries often collaborate with hop farms to source the freshest hops, creating a unique and exciting brewing experience.
The Process of Fresh Hop Brewing
Breweries that specialize in fresh hop beers have developed a flexible and dynamic approach to brewing. The recipe for each fresh hop beer is often determined on the spot, based on the hop varieties available from the farms. Breweries typically undertake collaborations with hop farms, bringing along large groups of people to pick hops and create a unique brewing experience. The recipe formulation takes place during the farm visits, often influenced by the hop varieties and the specific characteristics of the hops obtained that day. This fluid and spontaneous approach adds excitement and variety to the brewing process, resulting in delicious and unpredictable fresh hop beers.
Challenges and Considerations in Fresh Hop Brewing
Fresh hop brewing presents certain challenges and considerations for breweries. One major consideration is the short window of availability for fresh hops. Breweries must carefully manage tank space and brewing schedules to accommodate the limited time frame during which fresh hop beers can be brewed. Collaboration with hop farms and maintaining strong relationships with growers is crucial to obtaining the best and freshest hops. Breweries may need to adjust recipes on the fly based on the hop varieties obtained and their specific characteristics. Despite these challenges, the creativity and flexibility exercised by breweries during the fresh hop season results in unique and highly sought-after beers.
The Intensive Fresh Hop Beer Program at Single Hill Brewing
Single Hill Brewing, located in Yakima, Washington, has an intense fresh hop beer program that involves around 10 brew days during hot harvest season. They use a unique approach, combining both fresh unkill wet hops and fresh dried hops in their beers. They use wet hops in the hop back and pelletize fresh dried hops to use in other areas of the brewing process. This approach allows them to capture the freshness and intensity of the hops while still maintaining consistency. The flavors of their fresh hop beers are rich, saturated, and unique, offering a depth of character beyond typical IPAs.
The Experience of Fresh Hop Beers at Single Hill Brewing
Single Hill Brewing aims to provide a unique and immersive experience for consumers with their fresh hop beers. They prioritize storytelling and connection to the agricultural process. Each canned beer explicitly mentions the farms and varieties that were used, offering transparency and a sense of connection to the ingredients. The flavor profiles of their fresh hop beers vary throughout the harvest season, showcasing the evolving characteristics of different hop varieties at different stages of their pick windows. Consumers can taste the freshness, intensity, and uniqueness of the beers, and by following Single Hill Brewing on Instagram, they can be part of the journey, learning about the farms, varieties, and processes behind each beer.
Craft beer’s love affair with hoppy beers is lasts year round. So, it’s easy to forget that hops are an agricultural product. Hops have a season. And that season is now. Each September, hops in America reach the peak of perfection and brewers across the land rub their hands together, not to smell the hops, but in anticipation of making fresh hop beers. Nothing showcases the aroma and flavor of hops like a fresh hop beer and since these beers have a short shelf life, now is the time to rush out and drink them all.
This Episode is Sponsored by:
Estrella Galicia Estrella Galicia is an independent, family-owned brewery in northwest Spain, founded in 1906.
Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial is a world class lager, brewed using the finest Spanish malts, locally cultivated Galician hops and the best brewing practices, in a state-of-the-art facility in A Coruna. Recognized around the world for quality and exceptional character. Estrella Galicia is “A beer like no other.”
The following music was used for this media project: Music: Awesome Call by Kevin MacLeod Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3399-awesome-call License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Artist website: https://incompetech.com