HBC 1019 - A New Hop Variety
Although it may sound like a chemical or a course at a university, HBC 1019 is actually one of the most promising new hop varieties right now and one of the latest releases from the Hop Breeding Company, which is owned by Yakima Chief Hops (YCH). ÅBEN has been fortunate enough to receive this hop for testing.
Read on below ↘︎
What is all the fuss about?
If you don't know YCH, they are like the aunt and uncle of the hop world, and brewers refer to them as the gold standard. So, being selected as one of the few breweries to test the new HBC 1019 obviously makes us very proud.
HBC 1019 is a wild-pollinated hop, similar to Sabro and Talus but with a neo-mexicanus profile. Its unique aromas include peaches and cream, rhubarb and custard, piña colada, palm, and coconut shell. These wild hops are distinct from other hops grown in the Americas and have a southern hemisphere leaning in terms of their flavor attributes.
"We anticipate it to be super punchy and bouncy, but we honestly have no idea how it will express itself in the finished beer. Rest assured, our team is eager to experiment and create new and exciting brews with this hop," says Jack Delaney, Senior Brewer at ÅBEN.
ÅBEN has received up to 20% of the total HBC 1019 stock from YCH. As a result, the beers brewed with this particular hop will be highly exclusive.
It is very exciting to see how the HBC 1019 hop will enhance the ÅBEN beers to come. If you are going to Mikkeller Beer Celebration Copenhagen on May 5 and 6 you will also be able to try both beers.
