Sockeye Brewing Testing 3 New Idaho Hop Varieties

From Sockeye Brewing:

Sockeye Brewing gets the opportunity to experiment with  three new hop varieties from Jackson Hop Farms in Wilder, Idaho.  The team of brewers will be analyzing them for bitterness, aroma and flavor characteristics.  Idaho is the nation’s third largest producer of hops.  The fields west of Boise represent about 75% of Idaho’s 3,000 acres of hop farms, according to the Idaho Hop Commission. The invitation to help with characterizing and naming the new hop strains is a big honor for the small brewery.

Most of Idaho’s annual 4 million pound hop crop is harvested and dried out for shipment to large commercial breweries with huge contracts.  Small business craft breweries like Sockeye are left with what remains once those contracts have been filled for the year.  Jackson Hop Farms is experimenting with brand new hop varieties and has asked Sockeye’s seasoned brewers to single out the characteristics of three strains.  Sockeye’s Head Brewer Josh King is happy his brewers can step up to the plate.  “It’s a huge privilege to experiment with these new strains.  Our crew has years of experience with sensory analysis through beer judging and competing, so it’s great to be able to put our collective knowledge to good use for Jackson Hop Farms. ”

Sockeye’s Kevin Bolen has long time ties to Idaho hop farmers.  “It’s eye opening to see acres and acres of aromatic, high quality hop vines so close to Boise.   These could be the next Mosaic or Citra and we really are honored,” says Bolen.  “Each hop has been brewed in a single malt and single hop batch, or ‘Smash’ brew, where only 4 ingredients were used:  water, yeast, Idaho barley and a single hop variety in each of three batches.”  This method allows for the new hops to be analyzed for flavors and aromas from the essential oils in the cones, as well as for bitterness from the alpha acid content specific to each new variety.  Sockeye brewers love to share with others what they already know:  Idaho ingredients make great craft beer.

Sockeye Brewing will be releasing all three beers to the public for a Hop Flight Night at Sockeye Grill and Brewery, 3019 Cole Rd, on December 18 at 5pm.  Patrons who want to test their sensory skills will be given a sample of each beer along with a character evaluation sheet where they can also pitch a name for the new Idaho varieties.  Also in Boise, Bar Gernika will be hosting the event on Thursday December 19^th at 6pm, and Bier:Thirty will also join the flight session on December 20^th at 5pm.
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