Somerset’s Quantock Brewery is one of a handful of breweries in the UK to create a new beer using one of the latest experimental hop varieties offered by Yakima Chief Hops.
Left to right at brew day are: Quantock Brewery trainee brewer, Rhys Ford; brewer, Daniel Enticott; Yakima Chief Hops regional sales manager UK West and Portugal, Ruben Gill; and Quantock Brewery brewhouse manager, James Higgins. Photograph: Quantock Brewery
The global supplier of American hops carefully selects breweries to collaborate with as part of trialling the performance of these new hop varieties.
Feedback on the new limited-edition beer, Rooted in Yakima, will help the growers decide whether the hop, currently called HBC 472, will be commercially released and sold around the world in the future.
Cheryl Ford, managing director and co-founder of Quantock Brewery, said: “We’ve loved our first collaboration with Yakima Chief Hops and can’t wait to get feedback on the new beer release.
“We’re always looking to push ourselves to create beer that appeals to all tastes. We’re really proud to be part of the development process, testing this currently rare hop that offers so much potential to the global craft beer community.”
Rooted in Yakima is a 5% ABV pale ale featuring the house pale base, yeast used in Quantock Brewery’s NEIPAs, and hop HBC 472 to create a blend of distinctive vanilla, coconut, and pineapple notes, with a smooth oak and bourbon flavour. The 440ml can is available to order online from the brewery or from the brewery shop.
Ruben Gil, regional sales manager UK West and Portugal, at Yakima Chief Hops, said: “Having worked in a brewery, it was exciting to pull the wellies back on and actively take part in the brewing process.
“We only collaborate with progressive breweries with technical capability and a focus on quality. The team at Quantock Brewery really impressed us with how they’ve stayed true to their roots and heritage and developed a contemporary craft beer style with their latest releases like their single hop series.”
