Summit Releases Unchained Series 18: Hop Silo Double IPA

ST. PAUL, Minn. – (February 25, 2014) – Summit Brewing Company today announces the release of Hop Silo Double IPA, an ale with an intense hop profile of citrus, herb and pine undertones and a supporting backbone of UK malts.  The 18th beer in the limited release Unchained Series will be available on draught and in 16oz can 4-packs the week of March 2.

Hop Silo Double IPA brings 3 “firsts” from Summit.  Hop Silo is the first Double IPA brewed by Summit, it’s the first Unchained beer to be in a can, and it’s Summit’s first 16oz can. 

“I’m excited to be bringing several firsts to the Summit story,” said Brewer Eric Harper, adding, “what fun would it be if we didn’t try something new?”

In the Fall of 2014, Eric had a chance to visit the Yakima Valley for this year’s hop selection.  Being surrounded by hop farms and hoppy beers provided the inspiration for this beer, Eric’s third beer for the brewer led Unchained Series.  The hop bill for Hop Silo includes a relatively new variety called Azacca which brings notes of pineapple, tangerine and pine.  After being in the midst of hundreds of bales of Zeus hops freshly delivered from the farm, Eric found yet another key hop for his beer, saying “The place smelled insane, like someone had dipped your head in a bucket of hop goo.”

A few more trips around the valley and a few more introductions to new hops, like Apollo, and the idea for a Double IPA was cemented and the ingredient list was coming together.  The resulting beer has intense aromas of pineapple and lemon that immediately assault your senses, followed by a wonderfully bready malt character which fades into a pleasant and lingering bitterness.

Join Summit and Brewer Eric for events to kick off Hop Silo’s release:

Winterfest 2014 at Union Depot (Downtown Saint Paul)

Friday & Saturday, February 27-28

This two-night beer festival hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild will be the public’s first chance to have Hop Silo Double IPA.

Hop Silo Release Party at Summit Beer Hall

Saturday, February 28 (4-9pm)

The Summit Beer Hall premiere of Hop Silo and a fun chance to meet brewer Eric Harper. Hop Silo will be on tap and in 16oz cans from the Summit CANtina. The first 150 people to order a Hop Silo will receive a Hop Silo Collectable Can Coozie! Also on tap, live music by The Dang Ol’ Tri’ole and Natedogs serving gourmet wieners in the Beer Hall.

Beat the Brewers Pinball Tourney at Blainbrook Bowl (Blainbrook Entertainment Center)

Sunday, March 1 (1pm to qualify for tourney, 5pm competition begins)

Enjoy Hop Silo AND show off your pinball wizardry against the brewers to win Summit prizes at Blainbrook Bowl.

Hop Silo Pizza Party at Stout’s Pub

Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:30pm)

Meet Brewer Eric Harper, enjoy $3 Summit taps and $5 pizzas. Plus Trivia Mafia begins at 9pm. Part of a month-long March Mayhem 3 promo at

Stout’s Pub with six Summit beers on tap.

Northeast Minneapolis Double Release Party

Thursday, March 5

Join Summit from 8-10pm at Legends Bar & Grill and 10pm-Midnight at Mayslack’s Bar. Buy a pint, keep the glass (while supplies last).

WAY back in September, Head Brewer Damo informed me that I’d be brewing one of the upcoming Unchained beers. This occurred shortly before the brewing of Tom Mondor’s Unchained 17: Harvest Fresh IPA, and immediately preceding my trip to the Yakima Valley for this year’s hop selection. In fact, we were out there to watch Mondor’s fresh hops be processed and shipped! Well, being surrounded by hop farms and hoppy beers while conjuring up my next recipe idea certainly skewed things in the IBU department!

READ MORE ABOUT UNCHAINED 18 FROM ERIC

HOP SILO DOUBLE IPA
Profile: Intense aromas of pineapple and lemon that immediately assault your senses, followed by a wonderfully bready malt character which fades into a pleasant and lingering bitterness.
Malts: Crisp Best Pale, Simpsons Premium English Caramel, Simpsons Crystal Dark
Hops: Zeus, Azacca, Apollo, Lemondrop, Cascade
ABV: 8.3%
IBUs: 101
Color: Bronze
Yeast: House ale
Pairing Suggestions: Jerk anything, BBQ ribs, totchos, more beer

JOIN US TO KICK OFF UNCHAINED 18

Winterfest 2015 at Union Depot (Downtown Saint Paul)
Friday & Saturday, February 27-28
This two-night beer festival hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild will be the public’s first chance to enjoy
Hop Silo Double IPA.

Hop Silo Release Party at Summit Beer Hall
Saturday, February 28 (4-9pm)
The Summit Beer Hall premiere of Hop Silo and a fun chance to meet brewer Eric Harper. Hop Silo will be on tap and in 16oz cans from the Summit CANtina. The first 150 people to order a Hop Silo will receive a Hop Silo Collectable Can Coozie! Also on tap, live music by The Dang Ol’ Tri’ole and Natedogs serving gourmet wieners in the Beer Hall.

Beat the Brewers Pinball Tourney at Blainbrook Bowl(Blainbrook Entertainment Center)
Sunday, March 1
(1pm to qualify for tourney, 5pm competition begins)
Enjoy Hop Silo AND show off your pinball wizardry against the brewers to win Summit prizes at Blainbrook Bowl.

Hop Silo Pizza Party at Stout’s Pub
Wednesday, March 4 (8:00-9:30pm)
Meet Brewer Eric Harper, enjoy $3 Summit taps and $5 pizzas. Plus Trivia Mafia begins at 9pm. Part of a month-long March Mayhem 3 promo at Stout’s Pub with six Summit beers on tap.

Northeast Minneapolis Double Release Party
Thursday, March 5
Join Summit from 8-10pm at Legends Bar & Grill and 10pm-Midnight at Mayslack’s Bar. Buy a pint, keep the glass (while supplies last).