Terrapin Beer Co. to Release Monster Hop Selection

Each fall just after the hops are harvested, Terrapin brewmaster Brian "Spike" Buckowski travels west to Yakima Valley, Washington for the annual hop selection. Hop selection is when brewers from all over the country gather on the many hop farms of the pacific northwest to assess the year’s harvest. Hop Selection is also when brewers seek out hidden gems among the big hop names; up-and-coming stars or as-yet-unnamed experimental varieties that breed a craft brewer’s creativity. Spike came across Ella and knew at first whiff that this was a hop he wanted to feature in a bold double IPA. Hop Selection was born.  

Ella, the hop used in the inaugural edition of Hop Selection is an Australian hop; Terrapin will be using Ella hops from the 2014 harvest. Ella (previously called Stella), the descendent of a Spalt-derived male and half-sister to Galaxy, is considered an aroma hop though with her higher alpha acid content of 14 – 16% she can also lend a hand in bittering. Ella has an interesting aroma of spicy hoppiness backed with softer floral notes and a touch of anise, which is a contrast to the big citrus/tropical fruit and pine notes of many modern hops used in American craft beers.