Schell’s Announces 2014 Fresh Hop Equinox

NEW ULM, MN – August Schell Brewing Co., Minnesota’s oldest brewery, recently released the 2014 edition in its Fresh Hop series. The special-release pilsner features Equinox, a new hop variety recently developed by the Hop Breeding Company and Hopunion. Brewed every fall to celebrate the hop harvesting season, Schell’s Fresh Hop beers capture the flavorful, aromatic oils and resins of freshly picked hops by adding them to the brewing kettle within 48 hours of being cut.

“In our Fresh Hop series, we like to explore relatively new hop varieties, such as Citra, Mosaic, and Equinox,” said Schell’s brewmaster, Dave Berg. “It’s a good way for us to evaluate the variety for future use, while introducing consumers to what’s new in the wild world of hops.”

The innovative Equinox hop is notable for its high oil content and tight cone structure, characteristics that impart pronounced citrus, tropical fruit, herbal and floral aromas and flavors to the beer. “In choosing Equinox, we considered both its aromatic properties and uniqueness. Fresh Hop beer enthusiasts will find Equinox to be a great aroma hop, with a lot of lemon-lime characteristics. It’s really unlike any anything we’ve worked with before.”

Schell’s Fresh Hop Equinox is a German-style pilsner with 45 IBUs and five percent ABV. The limited-edition brew is available in bottles and on tap.