Hood River, OR – September 16, 2016 – Full Sail’s brewers wait with thirsty anticipation for each fall’s hop harvest and their chance to celebrate by brewing fresh hop beers. As soon as the hops are at their peak, the brewers head to the farm and select the best fresh hops, and rush back to the brewery. From the fields to the brewhouse in just a few hours, this year’s hop harvest has culminated in the ridiculously tasty Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale.
“As brewers we are always reliant on nature’s bounty, from the quality of the barley harvest to how the hops weathered through the Oregon summer, but no moment brings this relationship into sharper focus than our fresh hop beers,” says Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “When we brew with fresh hops, timing is everything. There’s such a small window to take advantage of these fresh hops. We need to get them to the brewery within hours of picking while their oils & resins are still at their peak as there are distinct flavors and aromas that you can only get brewing with fresh hops.”
Each hop variety reaches peak maturity at a different time during harvest, so each year’s brew is unique. This year’s fresh-hop harvest yielded big, juicy Magnum hops which add a slight anise note and a fresh, green character to 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale. Opening with aromas of lemon and spice, 8 Pound Pale has a golden orange hue with a thick frothy head and a full malty body.
“Every fall we look forward to brewing a fresh hop beer to celebrate the hop harvest,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “It takes five to seven times more hops to brew a fresh hop beer. We use eight pounds of fresh hops per barrel to brew this beer but it’s absolutely worth it.”
Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series allows the brewmasters to put their creativity, innovation and passion into small, limited-release beers. These craft brews highlight the direct connection with Full Sail’s farmers, celebrate the art of barrel aging, and explore the effects of time. Over the years, Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve series has earned 18 gold medals. Some of our beers, like our fresh hop brews, are meant to be enjoyed just after harvest, intensely fresh from our farmers’ fields. Brewed in small batches, Brewmaster Reserve 8 Pound Pale Fresh Hop Ale is only available during harvest, late September through October, in 12 oz. bottles in six packs & draft. 5.6% ABV, 54 IBUs.
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