Stormcloud Brewing Releases Leelanau Pale Ale Series Featuring Locally-Grown Hops

Brewer Brian Confer calls it “Leelanau Pale Ale” series – and while he says the malt bill for each beer won’t change from batch to batch, the hops certainly will. Each beer in the 13-brew series will feature a single hop variety grown on the nearby Leelanau Peninsula. Empire Orchards and Hop Farm provided all but one hop variety, which came from New Mission Organics in Omena.

“The base beer style is somewhere between a pale ale and an amber ale – landing on the orange side and containing a dose of malty sweetness,” says Confer.

The bitterness is at the high end of a Pale Ale and the low end of an IPA, with the goal to keep the bitterness level consistent across the 13 brews.

“We do that by adjusting the first hop charge,” Confer says. “The brew will have hop additions at 60 minutes, 15 minutes, zero minutes and a drop-hop. The 15, zero and dry-hop amounts are always equal, but the 60 minute addition adjusts up or down to keep the bitterness consistent.”

The Summit hops incorporated into the third batch in the season are unique to Michigan and come from Brian Tennis at New Mission Organics. He is the only grower outside of the Yakima Valley that is growing this variety and one of only eight farmers in the country licensed to do so.

The other 12 varieties (listed below in order of production) come from Empire Orchards and Hop Farms.

Not knowing if the terroir of Michigan changes the character of these hops, which are typically purchased from the Pacific Northwest or from Britain, Confer said he wanted to conduct an experiment of sorts with this series.

“I thought it would be fun and enlightening to explore each hop individually and taste the characteristics of each Leelanau grown variety,” he says. “The way we’re releasing this series, it allows us to taste the significant difference each hop provides to the same base beer.”

The series is in production now, with 5bbls of each being offered up in the pub only. Nugget was released December 20 and is still on tap. Each batch will stay on tap as long as it takes to deplete the supply – the more popular the brew, the quicker it will sell out.

The hop list (in order of production) includes:

• Nugget: a great bittering hop with a clean bitterness and herbal aroma; typically used in pale ales and IPAs.
• Fuggle: a cornerstone hop in English brewing; classic aroma hop with pleasant wood and fruit tone; typically used in many British ales across all styles.
• Summit: a high alpha hop with funky, earthy, tangerine character; typically used in a variety of American Style Ales, particularly pale ales and IPAs.
• Crystal: used mainly for its aromatic properties. Mild, spicy and floral; typically used in a range of beer styles, from Barleywines to Lagers.
• Magnum: prized mostly for its high bittering value. Also has a spice & citrus aroma; used extensively in a range of beer styles often early in the boil to gain a good clean bitterness.
• Empire: classic noble hop type bittering with an aromatic blend of earth and spice; this hop has been in the state since 1850 and is grown only in Michigan and exclusively at Empire Orchards and Hop Farm.
• Cascade: a very popular US variety, with a moderate bitterness and fragrant, citrus-floral aroma; synonymous with American Pale Ale; typically used in American Pale Ales and IPAs. The signature hop in Sierra Nevada's Pale Ale.
• Vovjidina: a high alpha dual purpose hop - used both for its bittering and aroma properties. Exhibits a superior noble hop aroma profile; not widely used. Fun fact: it's slow to catch on because it's hard to pronounce! (Voe-va-dine-a).
• Chinook: mild to medium-heavy, spicy, piney and slight grapefruity; used extensively for bittering and dry-hopping in a range of American ales.
• Willamette: mild and pleasant, slightly spicy, fruity, floral and a little earthy; similar to and often used as a substitute to British Fuggles; used far and wide in a vast range of beer styles.
• Brewer's Gold: resiny and spicy bittering hop with a fruity black currant aroma; used in a range of beers from English & Belgian ales to German lagers.
• Glacier: a clean bittering hop with an earthy & citrus aroma; used in a range of American ales.
• Centennial: sometimes referred to as a “Super Cascade” with strong floral and citrus tones and clean bitterness; used extensively in American Pale Ales and IPAs. The signature hop in Bell's Two Hearted Ale.

Empire Orchards & Hops Farm was established in 2008 as one of the first commercial hop farms in the State of Michigan. Since 2008, Empire Hops Farm has been at the forefront of the rapidly expanding Michigan Hop Industry, distributing a high quality product to breweries throughout the state. Empire Hops farm sells fresh, dried whole leaf and pelletized hops.

New Mission Organics is located in Omena, in the northeastern part of the Leelanau Peninsula. This small 30-acre farm, owned by Brian and Amy Tennis, specializes in organic and sustainably grown hops. Currently, 10 acres are in production, with a planned expansion scheduled for the spring of 2014.

New Mission Organics is one of the founding members of the Michigan Hop Alliance – an organization created to advance the hop industry in Michigan through knowledge sharing and equipment availability. Through the MHA, member hop growers are now able to take hops from cones to pellets in a much shorter time.

For updates on when each brew batch will be released, follow Stormcloud Brewing on Facebook (www.facebook.com/StormcloudBrewing) and/or Twitter (www.twitter.com/StormcloudBrew).

Stormcloud Brewing is located at 303 Main St., Frankfort – just two blocks from Lake Michigan.

www.StormcloudBrewing.com

Saugatuck Brewing Introduces “Michigan Wheat Ale” - Release Party Friday, April 5

Saugatuck Brewing Company is proud to announce they have collaborated with growers Michigan Malts and Empire Hop Farm in producing their summer seasonal release, “Michigan Wheat Ale.” Launching April 1st, the approved “Pure Michigan” style will contain 100% Michigan grown wheat, barley and hops. Michigan Wheat Ale will be a limited release, available on tap and in bottles (in the SBC Variety 12-pack) throughout Michigan and greater Chicago. A very limited quantity of 6-packs will be available for sale at the brewery only.

SBC will host a launch party, open to the public on Friday, April 5th from 5-7 PM. Representatives of both Michigan Malts and Empire Hops Farm will be on hand to help celebrate the occasion. Michigan Wheat Ale will be on tap for and also available in 6-packs for the event.

Saugatuck Brewing Company is a microbrewery with a family friendly pub/restaurant, complete with outdoor seating and an upscale banquet room (“The Singapore Room”). Fifteen unique beer styles, all brewed in house, plus wine and hard cider are served daily in the Pub. “SBC” also distributes ten styles in 6 and 4-packs, plus kegs throughout Michigan and metro Chicago. The brewery features one of the only active brew-on-premise facilities in Michigan, utilizing five copper kettles and an array of natural ingredients and recipes, for the public to become “Brewmaster for a Day.”

Saugatuck Brewing Company
2948 Blue Star Hwy.
Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-7222
www.saugatuckbrewing.com
www.facebook.com/saugatuckbrewingcompany

Hop Harvest Scheduled for this Week for North Peak's Hoodoo Midwest Wet Hop IPA

Crafting rich IPAs is second-nature to the brewers at North Peak Brewing Company, and the new Hoodoo Midwest Wet Hop IPA is no exception. Brewed exclusively with fresh-from-the-farm Cascade and Nugget Michigan hops – grown and nurtured just a stone’s throw up the peninsula at the Old Mission Hop Exchange – Hoodoo proudly displays an unparalleled flavor just begging to be experienced. It registered a 99IBUs with a 9.0%ABV.

“Given its strong malt-backed spine, we gave this Hoodoo hops to run,” says brewer Ron Jeffries, who along with brewer Mike Hall bring a combined 40 years of brewing experience to their North Peak beer recipes. “It starts hoppy, ends hoppy and is nuthin’ but hops in the middle. Well, okay, a little malt in the middle – just enough to keep this Hoodoo from getting fussy. But, it’s pretty much nuthin’ but hops.”

The brewing team at North Peak has taken a different approach to Hoodoo, making it the first wet hopped beer in their repertoire. Wet hopping involves utilizing raw, unprocessed hops that are used straight from the vine within hours of harvesting. Due to the moisture content, one ounce of fresh hops is much less bitter than a comparable mass of dried hops.

Keeping it local is vital to brewing culture and as such should be recognized and celebrated. North Peak is openly dedicated to a circle of beer making on the peninsula. The hops are sourced locally for beer making…beer produces spent grain (rich in nutrients) which is fed to Angus and highland cattle at Leggitt Farms on the peninsula…cows make manure, which is turned into fertilizer that is sent to Marigold Farms and Old Mission Hop Exchange for their hopyards…which produces the quality hops.

Not to mention the cattle which finds its way on the menus at both Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin, part of the Northern United Brewing Company operation on Old Mission Peninsula. Imagine yourself sitting down for a juicy Leggitt burger (topped with local cheese, lettuce and tomatoes), paired with a cold North Peak brew. It doesn’t get much more local than that!

So where did the inspiration for Hoodoo originate? Hoodoo is a form of traditional folk magic that developed from the blending of a number of separate cultures and magical traditions. It incorporates practices from African and Native American customs, as well as some European magical practices. While the Hoodoo man is a trans-cultural phenomena, his roots run deep in Northern Michigan. He is often seen dancing and chanting, drinking up brew that bears his name, as if under some type of mystical spell.

Hoodoo will be available on draft and in the brand’s trademark 12-ounce stubby-bottle 6-packs starting late September through the harvest season. Find it throughout Michigan and Ohio, wherever your favorite North Peak beers are sold.

The North Peak is part of Northern United Brewing Co., which also encompasses the Grizzly Peak and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales craft beer brands, as well as the Civilized line of spirits and Bonafide Wines. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally sustainable practices. All of the beers and spirits under these brands are produced at either its 5600-square-foot facility on Old Mission Peninsula adjacent to Mission Table (former Bowers Harbor Inn) restaurant or at the original Jolly Pumpkin facility in Dexter.

Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor.

Saugatuck Brewing Company launches fall seasonal Bonfire Brown Ale

Saugatuck Brewing Company has introduced its fall seasonal offering, Bonfire Brown Ale. Brewed with ten different malts and Cascade and U.S. Goldings hops, it is a classic American Brown Ale with a slight smoky character. It is moderate in alcohol volume (5.5% ABV) with relatively low bitterness (20 IBUs). To celebrate the occasion, SBC will host a “Party on the Patio” Sunday, September 9th from 3-6 pm. Bonfire Brown is available in 6-packs and on tap throughout Michigan and will be available this fall in the Chicago market.

Saugatuck Brewing Company is a microbrewery with a traditional Irish style pub and upscale banquet room (“The Singapore Room”). Fifteen unique beer styles, all brewed in house, plus wine and hard cider are served daily in the Pub. “SBC” also distributes eight styles in 6 and 4-packs, plus kegs throughout Michigan (plus Chicago, fall 2012). The brewery features one of the only active brew-on-premise facility in Michigan, utilizing five copper kettles and an array of natural ingredients and recipes, for the public to become “Brewmaster for a Day.”

Saugatuck Brewing Company
2948 Blue Star Hwy. – Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-7222
www.saugatuckbrewing.com
www.facebook.com/saugatuckbrewingcompany

Saugatuck Brewing Company Announces Winter Tasting Series (January - April, 2012)

SBC will be conducting 4 tasting events at the brewery to be held on the last Thursdays of January, February, March and April at 7pm.

The themes will be:

• January 26 – “Different Yeasts/Different Flavors”
• February 23 – “Different Hops/Different Flavors”
• March 29 – “Understanding Beer Styles”
• April 26 – “Specialty Beers”

The tastings will be lead by SBC sales manager Scott Farney and brewer Dexter Gauntlett. Admission will be $10 at the door ($8 for Pint Club members).

Saugatuck Brewing Co. is a microbrewery with a traditional Irish style pub and upscale banquet room (The Singapore Room) that features hand crafted beer, wine, food, and service. Fifteen unique beer styles, all brewed in house, plus wine and hard cider are served daily in the Pub. “SBC” also distributes five styles in 6 and 4-packs throughout lower Michigan. The brewery also features the only active brew-on-premise facility in Michigan, utilizing five copper kettles and an array of natural ingredients and recipes, for the public to become “Brewmaster for a Day.”

Saugatuck Brewing Company
2948 Blue Star Hwy.
Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-7222

www.saugatuckbrewing.com
www.facebook.com/saugatuckbrewingcompany