Welcome to the ORIGIN SERIES: 6 BEERS | 3 STAGES | 6 WEEKS
BBF’s seasonal series for the summer of 2019 takes inspiration from the origin stories and inter-connectedness of some of the world’s most exciting hops as we seek to show the joy, art and science of hop usage in modern cask beer in 3 distinct stages: Derivation, Evolution, Celebration.
It’s a beautiful hoppy world out there, let’s explore it!
Tristan and Clem discuss the finer points of the Origin Series over a beer at Factoberfest 2019 below.
Have a look and see if you can spot where Clem declares he has ‘eaten like Monica’ or Tristan tells us how something is ‘new to the beaver industry’, damn you autosubtitles..
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PART 1 | DERIVATION STAGE
Two beers derived from the same hop (Cascade), grown 5,200 miles apart!
These two Derivation Stage beers are the embodiment of how climate affects the character of hops.
First released in 1972, Cascade has become the most popular hop variety in craft brewing, making up 10% of all hops grown in the U.S.
The hop is grown in both the U.S and the U.K and the difference in flavour profile between these two derivations is marked. We have allowed each hop to shine in what we consider to be its most appropriate style:
BEER 1: REBEL REBEL.
We have used UK Cascade as the single hop in REBEL REBEL: a golden-coloured English Pale Ale where the hop brings bitterness and mostly spicy and floral notes with a touch of citrus
BEER 2: WATCHTOWER
We have used US Cascade as the single hop in WATCHTOWER: an uber-pale American Pale Ale where the hop displays major floral notes and a citrus kick often described as closest to grapefruit.
REBEL REBEL
4% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.1
SINGLE HOP: UK CASCADE | ENGLISH PALE ALE
WATCHTOWER
4.4% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.2
SINGLE HOP: US CASCADE | AMERICAN PALE ALE
A liberally hopped English Pale Ale using only UK grown Cascade. A dual-purpose hop, giving this pint that traditional English bitter depth whilst adding floral flavours, a delicate spicy-ness and aromas of citrus.
Crystal malt brings the classic subtle sweet caramel flavours that we all know and love.
REBEL REBEL brings you the best of UK - EPA session goodness, come at us.
A refreshing single hopped brew using US Cascade. Booming with grapefruit flavours we’ve made this hop into an uber pale ale to suit its tropical undertones. This will show off the distinct floral, citrus and grapefruit characteristics, the malt will be the lightest of light with the most subtle of malt flavours.
This pint will end with a great dryness, accentuating the bitter, sweetness of US Cascade.
PART 2 | EVOLUTION STAGE
Two ‘Dual Hop’ beers featuring one base hop and a second hop that has evolved directly from it!
These two Evolution Stage beers show two deeply related hops working in harmony. In each case we have chosen a classic or intriguing base hop and paired it with a second hop that has evolved directly from it. The two different hops in each beer share characteristics but where the evolved hop has heightened and additional characteristics:
BEER 3: LEGACY
Czech Saaz is the legendary centrepiece hop for Czech lagers with its unique, mild earthy and herbal character. When bred in New Zealand, the ensuing evolved hop became known as Motueka and brings lemon-lime, sweet, resinous and citrus flavours to the beer. They come together in this Czech | NZ Pale Ale.
BEER 4: WILD ONES
This beer is pushing right at the forefront of hops, hop evolution and cask inventiveness. Almost every hop in the world, as we have shown, is derived from hops originally grown in Europe. Not so with the hops in this beer: Neomexicanus is a genetically distinct sub-species of the hop family that has been growing wild in the mountains of New Mexico for the past million years. We have brewed a 4.2% Uber Pale Ale featuring the most sought after modern New Mexico hop: Sabro. We have paired it with some Wild Hops, unnamed as grown wild in New Mexico and not commercially cultivated. They come together in this new and exciting beer, WILD ONES.
LEGACY
4.2% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.3
NZ PALE ALE | CZECH SAAZ | NZ MOTUEKA
WILD ONES
4.2% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.4
NEW MEXICO PALE ALE | WILD HOPS | US SABRO
Legacy is a dual hopped pale with an evolutionary hop story.
From Czech Saaz to New Zealand Motueka, this pint has lashings of lemon-lime flavours with herbal hints and dried orchard fruits. When Saaz was bred in New Zealand, the evolved hop became known as Motueka and brings lemon-lime, sweet, resinous and citrus flavours to the beer. A simple malt bill with a dry finish and a sprinkle of Rye for the spice to compliment the lime.
Wild Ones brings you a brand-new hop, not just to us at BBF but the world!
Introducing Sabro, hailing from the mountains of New Mexico - a new hop which has been produced from a distinct sub-species of the hop family which has been growing wild in the mountains of New Mexico for the past million years.
Sabro promises an intoxicating and complex blend of fruity, citrus flavours, distinct tangerine and coconut with hints of cedar, mint and cream. The anticipation for this neomexicana hop is real and the proof will be in the pouring.
PART 3 | CELEBRATION STAGE
Two beers that each utilise hops, malts and yeast produced in a single nation.
The Celebration Stage represents the culmination of our Origin Series, where we finish our hop-focused journey by celebrating what can be achieved by augmenting great hops from the US and Belgium with the perfect accompanying malts and yeast from the same producer country.
BEER 5: THE GREAT NORTH WEST
Without influence from American brewing the UK brewing scene would be totally different, American hops play a huge part of the beer we brew. The Great North West honours the amazing hops that go into making a classic American IPA and how different it is to a UK IPA. We’ve celebrated the style and brewed an all US IPA to honour the brewing legends over the pond.
BEER 6: LOST IN BELGIUM
Belgian beers are so distinctive in style and flavour. One thing that Belgian beers do differently is the yeast, that becomes the most prominent and important flavour profile. We have picked three legendary Belgian yeasts to honour the style and make a cask Singel. Traditionally brewed by Trappist monk and the beer they would drink themselves.
THE GREAT NORTH WEST
5.2% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.5
US IPA | CRAFT MALT | NW US HOPS
LOST IN BELGIUM
4.6% ABV
ORIGIN SERIES NO.6
BELGIAN BLOND
BELGIAN MALT & YEAST | CHIMAY | WESTMALLE | ARDENNES
The Great North West is a classic IPA, 5 US hops give this a big flavour profile, citrus, grapefruit, pine, tropical fruits, and herbal notes.
We’ve paired them with brand new ‘Craft’ malt, yes that is its name, and finished off with YS-043, an American style yeast producing a well-balanced beer. It will be darkish pale in colour to follow suit with the classic US IPA and the commonly used Crystal Malt which we’ve added some to the brew. This gives the beer an intense treacly flavour.
Three big Belgian yeasts go in to make this Singel - Chimay, Westmalle and Ardennes give it all the phenolics you need for a classic Blond Belgian ale. Clove, banana, orange and allspice flavours offering a mild fruitiness and complex spicy character. Saaz, Hallertau Mittelfruh and Jarrylo hops add minimal bitterness and herbaceous flavours.
This Belgium inspired beer is rounded off with Belgian Chateau Arome for depth and malt character.
