I picked up a four pack of Burlington Beer Co. Barbe Rouge single-hopped IPA last night, cracked a can and couldn't believe my taste buds. No resin, no citrus, no typical bitterness. No flavors that I typically associate with an IPA. The taste was straight up ripe cantaloupe/honeydew. According to the brewer the Barbe Rouge hops used are "a new experimental hop from France with juicy ripe flavors of strawberry [I didn't taste any strawberry however]." Can anyone suggest any other beers featuring new hop varieties with a unusual/unexpected flavor profile? I wouldn't drink this stuff everyday or put it quite on par with my favorites, but it was definitely a great change of pace.
Sierra Nevada has a new beer out now branded as Harvest Newly Developed Hops IPA. Maybe you would enjoy that beer? Below is some information from the Sierra Nevada website: “Harvest Newly Developed Hops IPA A collection of all-new hops for complex flavors. Our search for exciting hop flavors led us to a handful of newly developed varietals, each with flavors very different from those found in typical hops. These hops are so new they are only known by numbers—472, 05256, 431, and 06300. They have complex flavors of cedar, coconut, chocolate, and orange-citrus together creating a truly unique IPA aroma. This IPA is part of our 2015 Harvest series exploring diverse hopping methods including single hop, fresh hop, wet hop and wild hop beers. “ Cheers!
Oskar Blues "Blue Dream" IPA has some unique hops in it. In fact, they claim it's the first commercial beer to contain Enigma hops. Story Here “The biggest thing about this beer is where the hops come from, and that is Australia,” says Tim Matthews, head of brewing operations for Oskar Blues. It uses four varieties: Ella, which has spicy, floral notes, along with stone fruit flavors; Topaz, which has some of the piney, dank notes that American hops have; Vic Secret, an unusual hop that imparts earthy aromas, along with passion fruit and tropical notes; and Enigma, which offers raspberry and melon flavors and aromas." "The brewery is one of only four in this country to get a large allocation of Enigma hops – which come from Tazmania – and is the only one to have used those hops commercially." And uh, you really need this stuff and can't find it, I'd be glad to trade you for some.
I think 431 is the sister of 438. Said to be woody. 438 may go commercial next year. Another is 291, more suited for lagers. Don't know if that one will gain traction.
The name of the hops is called equinox or neomexicanus I think, and they taste like bell pepper. Sierra nevada introduced them to me and I fell head over heels. I have not had them since.
"cedar, coconut, chocolate, and orange-citrus" wow. Talk about going in a number of directions at the same time. I'll try one for sure if I see it though.
Yeah Barbe Rouge was one of the most unique single hop ipas I've ever had. I got a ton of strawberry and melon flavor and like you said no typical hoppy flavor. I thought it was an awesome beer.
Had the SN New Hop beer and it was awesome. Shades of a BA beer, coffee beer, and coconut beer, all the flavors I associate with a dark rich malt brew but in a light crisp IPA. Should have gotten 2 bombers but am glad tried one. Happy to see new hops all the time. Come on cross pollination! (Are you smarter then a 5th grader?)
A number of California (maybe elsewhere too?) breweries have been getting their hands on hops from South Africa.. pretty crazy!
Not as new but i really been wanting to try Idaho 7 hop but the SN release i found was 9 months old. Couldnt do it.
Bingo bango bongo. Interesting how the general tone for new hops is bring em on, but when there's a mention of crossing yeast. People get funny.
This years Allagash Fluxus uses some experimental hop (currently doesn't have a name, only some number which I can't remember). I had it fresh at the brewery and it tasted like straight pineapple juice. However, I had it on draft at a bar and from a bottle (dated about a month old) and the pineapple flavor had faded some.
