Hopthema

Sweetwater Brewery Releases Year-Round Hop Hash Infused Double IPA
 As India Pale Ales (IPA) continue to trend as the No. 1 segment in the craft beer category and fastest growing overall beer segment, SweetWater Brewery is upping the ante on the style with a new twist. Rolling out as the brewery’s newest year-round lineup – Hop Hash, a double IPA infused with hop hash – will be making its way onto to shelves ...
Brewers decided to throw a sticky SweetWater signature on this hopped up concoction, promising to deliver the dankest double IPA around. After scraping the hop pelletizers clean in Yakima, WA, brewers used bricks of the pure hop lupulin – a very concentrated form of hop resin also known as hash – to cook up a brew that would deliver a pungent punch to the palate.
Focusing heavy on the hops, Hop Hash is brewed with a hefty dose of American citrus hops, as well as Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe hops along with the hash blend. The brew’s pale malt bill, comprised of 2 row, pilsner and wheat, creates a clean foundation setting the stage for the hop hash to burn bright on the palate. The hop bill exudes a creeping bitterness up front from the Centennial, followed by the flavor and aroma from the hash packing a stealthy, smooth citrus finish at 7.8-percent alcohol by volume.
“It’s always fun to be able to experiment and offer something that’s truly unique,” said SweetWater Founder and Big Kahuna Freddy Bensch. “We’ve literally been toying with this concept since our days back in college. As IPAs continue to dominate, we’re excited to take the style to the next level using the dankest hop hash we could get our sticky fingers on!”
(www.craftbeer.com/news/beer-release/sweetwater-brewery-releases-year-round-hop-hash-infused-double-ipa)



Shmaltz Releases Hop Manna Nationwide
Hop Manna for the first time nationwide.  Manna in an American IPA that has gone through a few batch growth periods prior to this release.
Hop Manna® features six robust hops (Warrior, Cascade, Citra, Amarillo, Crystal, Centennial), three dry hops (Centennial, Cascade and Citra), and is balanced out with five delicious malts (Specialty 2-Row, Wheat, Munich, Vienna, CaraMunich 40). Not a San Diego IPA (enticing as they are) and not trying to re-create the excellent standouts from friends such as Dogfish, Founders, Lagunitas, Three Floyds and so many others, Hop Manna® aims to create a unique story — and flavors – of its own.
Style: American IPA 6.8% ABV (http://beerstreetjournal.com/shmaltz-releases-hop-manna-nationwide/hebrew-hop-manna-ipa/, http://beerstreetjournal.com/tag/ipa/page/47/)

The Hop Concept to Release Lemon and Grassy IPA
Continuing the trend of using new and experimental hops, Lemon and Grassy harnesses Comet, Nelson Sauvin, Sorachi Ace and Lemon Drop varietals to achieve its unique flavor and aroma profile.
Aromas of freshly grated lemon zest, subtle mint and hints of biscuit start off Lemon and Grassy. Hops, hops and more hops explode on the palate. Grassy bitterness, citrus peel and the faintest sweet malt leads to a lingering clean finish.
Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey / The Hop Concept (http://thefullpint.com/breweries/port-brewing/the-hop-concept-to-release-lemon-and-grassy-ipa/)


Deschutes Brewery  Hop Henge Experimental IPA (2015)
Deschutes Brewery Hop Henge Experimental IPA (2015) – This classic “IBU escalation” brew is now engaging in a bit of “abv escalation,” too. Last year’s Hop Henge was a “mere” 8.8% alcohol. Now it’s pushing 10%. Dropping from 99 IBUs to 90 hasn’t hurt: This year the beer is drinking with a nice balance of piney notes, grapefruit, and a touch of caramel sauce on the back end. I catch faint notes of baked apple and incense, as well, making this a more complex and, frankly, enjoyable beer than it’s been in recent years. 9.5% abv. (www.drinkhacker.com/2015/02/05/review-deschutes-brewery-red-chair-nwpa-2014-hop-henge-experimental-ipa-2015/).


Hi-Wire Hop Circus IPA
The Hop Circus IPA Series will feature a new IPA every few months. Our first release is a single hop, session IPA brewed 100% with simcoe hops. At 4.8% ABV and 40 IBUs, this first release in the Hop Circus IPA Series will perfectly combine drinkability with classic hop character (http://beerstreetjournal.com/hi-wire-hop-circus-ipa-series/).



NORTH PEAK HOODOO MIDWEST WET HOP IPA
NORTH PEAK BREWING COMPANY • UNITED STATES
From the brewer:
“North Peak Hoodoo MidWest Wet Hop IPA is brewed with fresh from the farm Michigan hops for exceptional flavor. Hoodoo is hops from start to finish with a little malt in the middle.”
Style: Wet Hop IPA
ABV: 8.00%
(www.sheltonbrothers.com/beers/north-peak-hoodoo-midwest-wet-hop-ipa/)


Flying Dog Imperial IPA – Single Hop Chinook
What you got here my friend, is solid gold. I’m talking prime, high-alpha make bred with the finest damn Golding money can buy. Now, I don’t show this to just anyone, so consider yourself lucky. I must be in a giving mood today.
Flying Dog Brewery – Flying Dog Imperial IPA – Chinook Single Hop – 12 oz. bottle poured into a goblet. 10% abv.
Appearance: Pours a hazy orange with a thick fluffy beige head.
(http://thefullpint.com/beer-reviews/flying-dog-imperial-ipa-single-hop-chinook/)