Throwing around ideas for this year’s green hop we’ve gone for a bit of a curve ball but one that we are extremely excited about…
After such a great response from our Brewster’s Bullions, fresh Bullion Hop Stout from 2019 and seeing the usual sea of green hop English pale ales we turned to the continent for our inspiration and a style that we think will work perfectly with English green hops, a Belgian-Inspired Patersbier.
Patersbier or Fathers Beer, originally brewed by monks and a style rarely seen outside monastery walls, is a simple blonde beer for everyday drinking. Hop forward and infinitely sessionable we’ve created this using classic Belgian yeast strains combined with the finest freshly harvested Ernest hops from Hukin Hop Farm in Kent.
There is a hint of that heady Belgian yeast spice character, gentle rounded body and a zesty dry finish with fresh herbal and elegant floral hop aromas thanks to the vibrant green Ernest hops.
Working with our friends at Hukin Hops is always a treat, we had the pleasure of heading down to Tenterden and spending time with Ross & the team to talk the years harvest, take in the smells of the bines and of course ogle over the 1964 built Bruff Super-E Hop sorting machine!
The quality of Hukins Hops is clear to see (and smell!), the pick of this year’s crop was the late ripening Ernest Hops. Brimming with that herbal, spice and stone fruit aroma reminiscent of the more trendy new-world hop varieties.
Aiming for that sweet spot where spicy floral Belgian yeast and vibrant herbal green hops meet we think we’re onto a winner this year!
Cheers to another great Kent Green Hop year and to all the organisers, the growers, brewers and drinkers!
Northdown Green Hop 2020
Ernest Green Hop PatersBier (4%)
There is a hint of that heady Belgian yeast spice character, gentle rounded body and a zesty dry finish with fresh herbal and elegant floral hop aromas thanks to the vibrant green Ernest hops.
Hops – Fresh Ernest
Sight – hazy straw | Aroma – floral, spice, stone fruit | Taste – zesty, earthy, crisp dry finish
Limited availability from NorthDown Brewery – call us quick on 01843 227 434
