In a celebration of the unique character of Czech beer, we start this week’s roundup all the way at London’s Bohem Brewery to learn about its new a single hop lager, Most, brewed in collaboration with hop specialist and merchant Charles Faram. The beer is named for the Most hop, developed by Charles Faram and grown exclusively in the Czech Republic. Bohem is one of a handful of brewers taking part in a select series of international collaborations spotlighting Most.
After six weeks in the refrigerated lagering tanks at Bohem’s north London brewery, the new 4.5% ABV dry-hopped, single hopped limited edition Czech lager is now available in kegs and cans, while stocks last.
The brewing collaboration day saw Charles Faram MD Paul Corbett, and Jon Stringer, sales manager/brewer, join Bohem head brewer Matěj Krizek. The team used the brewery’s authentic Czech decoction brewing kit to create a beer that spotlights the flavor profile of the Most hop, which has been in development over the past five years. Most lager has a grapefruit and melon aroma, with a complex taste profile for a single-hop lager. Initial ripe fruits contribute to a balance of sweet and savoury notes. A soft, full mouthfeel and subtle bitterness rounds out a drinkable beer that tastes bigger than its 4.5% ABV.
Corbett said: “Most is a very new hop and still in trials. Brewing with Bohem gave us a chance to see how the hop performs ‘under fire’, using real-world Czech brewing kit and producing a commercial beer with genuine appeal to lager drinkers.”
Bohem and five Canadian breweries have joined in a technical collaboration with Charles Faram to unlock the exciting and creative potential of this burgeoning hop. For Krizek, and brewing assistant Honza Svatek, it was an opportunity to create a lager that highlights the light fruity characteristics of Most, including tropical fruits and strawberry, while still retaining the essential character and spicy finish of a classic Czech lager.
“Most is a complex hop that has delivered a complex beer, which is different to anything else we brew. We’re really pleased that Charles Faram has given us the opportunity to work with the new hop, and it was great to work with Paul and Jon on the collaboration.”
Most is a dual-purpose hop that can used for aroma or bittering. It was developed by Charles Faram & Co Ltd and named Most by the Czech growers, meaning “bridge”, as it was seen as a bridge between the UK and the Czech Republic. It is a sister variety of Charles Faram UK hop varieties Jester and Olicana.
Shiner has a new IPA series with some cool art
Shiner Bock introduced their new IPA series, Shiner Tex Hex IPA, beginning with the launch of the flagship Bruja’s Brew, a mystical IPA brewed with cactus water. Fans of Shiner have consistently requested the brand have a bigger presence in IPA, and Bruja’s Brew will be the first of three new IPAs launched under the Tex Hex umbrella in 2022.
Tex Hex Bruja’s Brew is a mythical IPA brewed with cactus water and Amarillo hops, an ode to the brand’s Texas roots. The beer delivers a hops-forward aroma and flavor that is a mix of bright, citrusy, resinous and tropical, featuring a medley of tangerine, pineapple, citrus and stone fruit. Initial consumer testing revealed that the brew outperformed the leading national and local IPA offerings in a series of blind tastings.
To capture the imagination of IPA drinkers, Shiner is also introducing the character of “La Bruja”, the alchemist, who is prominently featured on Tex Hex cans and packaging. La Bruja is a dark, mysterious shaman who roams the Texas desert gathering ingredients for her otherworldly creations.
Fulton Howls to the moon with new year-round beer
The first full moon of 2022 brought forth a brand new year-round beer from Fulton Beer. Moon Howler is the first Hazy IPA to make it onto the brewery’s year-round calendar.
“Yeah, we know, took us long enough…let’s just say we’ve taken our time to make this one really nice. Moon Howler is all hopped up with Citra, Bravo, and Ekuanot, and clocks in at 6.5% ABV. It’s in stores near you right now, in 16 oz 4 packs and 12 oz 12 packs.”
You heard ’em.
Warped Wing teams creates a brownie in liquid form
Brownie Brown Ale from Dayton, Ohio’s Warped Wing Brewing is a culinary meld of craft goodness. You will get aromas of deep, rich chocolate up front. Followed up with sips of chocolate, caramel, vanilla and molasses. It’s like a brownie in liquid form. And it’s killer.
The Killer Brownie Company is a Dayton staple and “we’ve always wanted to partner with them on a beer.” said Nick Bowman, VP/Sales & Marketing and Managing Partner at Warped Wing. “This project has been a few years in the making but here we are and I’m excited to bring forth into the world our liquid version of the famous Killer Brownie!”, said Bowman.
“The folks at Warped Wing are true masters of their craft.” said Jessica Uttinger, Director of Marketing and Creative Services at Killer Brownie. “When we began discussing a collaboration in 2019, it was immediately clear—they would create a brew that mirrors the decadence Killer Brownie is known for. Their commitment to quality is matched only by their love of community, which made them ideal partners to work with. Gathering people together to share joyful moments over food and drink is something they’ve long been known for, and it’s an honor to have the Killer Brownie® name on one of their cans.”
Tröegs debuts Double Nugget Nectar
Tröegs Independent Brewing released Double Nugget Nectar, a delicious spin on its iconic once-a-year Imperial Amber Ale, Nugget Nectar. Double Nugget, touted as a Double Imperial Amber Ale, weighs in at 9.5% ABV. The idea for the beer was hatched by the brewery’s Scratch Beer creative team in late 2020.
Double Nugget is built around one of Nugget Nectar’s key ingredients: Simcoe hops. This complex hop’s notes of apricot, peach rings and bright citrus are at the forefront of the beer’s flavor. Azacca hops add hints of juicy orchard fruit, and Munich malt provides a bready sweetness. To round out the hop profile, Columbus and Nugget hops introduce a layer of dank pine.
“It was a fun balancing act,” said Tröegs brewmaster and co-founding brother John Trogner.
Atlas Brew Works celebrates seasonal fav, an apricot-infused IPA
The Precious One is back this Feb. 1, and in celebration of the seasonal release of this apricot-infused IPA, Atlas Ivy City Brewery & Tap Room will tap a fresh keg right off the kegging line … today! Atlas Half Street Brewery & Tap Room will host a ticketed event on Saturday, February 5. A $20.22 ticket gets guests bottomless beer, wine, and well liquor, as well as a take-home Atlas tulip glass.
With a 6.4% ABV, take a sip of The Precious One and let the apricot notes blossom atop a hoppy base for a delicately sweet bouquet of flavor. Atlas Brew Works promotes environmental stewardship not only through its solar-powered facility, but also by packaging its beer in cans rather than bottles, through water recapturing programs, and by donating spent grain to local farms for feed.
Rogue Ales partners with Revival Cycles for limited release
Rogue Ales & Spirits and celebrated Austin-based design house known for custom motorcycle builds Revival Cycles partnered on a new limited Knuckle Buster Cold IPA. The collaboration, rooted in design, incorporates both brands’ passions for craftmanship and hard work. The name “Knuckle Buster” was chosen to also pay homage to gearheads and craftspeople from all walks of life and industries.
“At Rogue, we are always working on new ideas that break from the norm; this collaboration is no different,” says Dharma Tamm, Rogue President. “Our friends at Revival Cycles in Austin, Texas also like to push the envelope with their hand-built motorcycles, so teaming up on a new style of IPA that uses a cold fermentation technique just made sense.”
One Texas-based element to the beer release are secret gold coins. With the January release throughout stores in Austin and the surrounding cities, select Knuckle Buster six packs will come with a gold coin placed between the lid of the can and plastic six pack ring. Over a dozen lucky individuals who find the gold coins, will be able to redeem them at the 2022 Handbuilt Motorcycle Show produced by Revival Cycles in April 2022 for a Supporter Ticket ($200 package), which includes VIP Lounge Access, Discounted Drinks, Access to the VIP areas of the Pre-Party, Discounts on Merch and skip the line access at the show.
“At Revival Cycles, we understand that collaborating with like-minded design focused people is how we all grow, learn, stay fresh, and innovate. This fun project with Rogue allows us to expand our footprint and drink more of their delicious IPAs,” adds Alan Stulberg, Founder, Revival Cycles.
Knuckle Buster Cold IPA is best described as a cross between a pilsner and an IPA. It opens with a delightful floral hop aroma that is followed by more hops, cracker, bread, and a soft sweetness across a very light body. The finish is crisp and refreshing with a nice bitter bite.
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