What’s On Tap: John Snyder of Yakima Valley Hops
Located in the heart of Yakima Valley, WA (80% of all hops grown in USA)
We supply hops for contract, wholesale, and retail to domestic + international customers.
Recently, we opened up the first ever Hop Shop Located in Yakima with over 40 varieties in every increment available for purchase.
Yakima Valley Hops: Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter
Draft Pick’s of the Week:
1. Old Chub Scotch Ale NITRO
From the Oskar Blues website: “This jaw-dropping Scottish strong ale (8% ABV) is brewed with bodacious amounts of malted barley and specialty grains, and a dash of beechwood-smoked malt.”
2. KCCO Black Larger
KCCO Black Lager is a toasty lager with notes of chocolate and coffee. Unlike a heavy stout or porter, it’s amazingly light, crisp, and sessionable. Debunks the misconception that all dark beers are heavy, filling, and very high in alcohol.
Listen to hear our reviews!
In the Kettle:
This week we discussed:
1. Hop Chemistry – Additions
2. Hop Bursting
3. Sparging
Ale Communications:
A Taste for Hops
Writing a manual on hops in 1877, British agricultural authority P.L. Simmonds praised those grown around the town of Spalt in Bavaria. “The products are of a high reputation, and are the Chateau Lafitte, the Clos de Vougent, and the Johannisberg, as it were, of hops of continental growths,” he wrote.
He didn’t offer a long list of adjectives about their flavor, simply stating they were “the finest and most aromatic hops grown.” Spalt Spalter, as they are known today, likely hadn’t changed much since 1511, when the town banned the export of highly sought-after hop cuttings, nor have they since. One difference that Hans Zeiner, manager of the Spalt hop growers association and a farmer himself, has noticed is requests from brewers for hops picked later, so they are richer in essential oils. READ MORE
Lager all ‘tastes the same’, report says
They may spend millions on branding, but a series of blind taste testings have revealed consumers struggle to distinguish between major beer brands.
Using European pale lagers, researchers gave volunteers blind samples of Budvar, Heineken and Stella Artois but found they could not tell the difference.
“They cannot distinguish between three major competing beer brands,” the report says.
“Our results suggest that brand loyalty in this market is likely to be driven largely by marketing and packaging, and not by the underlying sensory properties of the competing products.”
Russia Bans Import of Ukrainian Beer Because Its Calorie Count Doesn’t Add Up
Russia is taking its food diplomacy—or fighting really—to a whole new level. Russia’s consumer protection agency has the unusual habit of going into overdrive when conventional diplomacy fails. On Wednesday, the latest round of economic bickering between Russia and Ukraine set Moscow on a consumer protection crusade that borders on the absurd. Or just is absurd really. The problem this time is not Ukrainian chocolate or dairy, which have already been nixed by Russian authorities, nor is it tainted beef or chicken that might be a legitimate concern for anyone; the problem is Ukrainian booze. READ MORE
THS 70: Mike Heads to Minnesota
THS 1 – Welcome to the Tap Handle Show!
THS 43: Blood Sweat & Beer!
The Hop Talks: The Podcast! Episode 7: NE Brew Fest Panel!
“…why is it always shitsville?” – asking about a podcast that’s created while drinking beer. Hmmm… lol