Green Flash Brewing Company is celebrating its hoppy roots with the final release of the 2015 Hop Odyssey series, the boldly hoppy Segal Ranch Session IPA, and the debut of its 4th annual Hop Odyssey series— a national beer program that focuses on exploring new hop varietals, fresh combinations and innovative brewing methods. Hop Odyssey 2016 is comprised of three pale ales that showcase carefully selected hop varieties from around the world, an ode to Green Flash’s dedication to brewing adventure. The 2016 series will traverse three international destinations, kicking-off with the release of single-hop ale Pacific Gem Pale Ale (New Zealand), followed by Styrian Golding Pale Ale (Slovenia) and culminating with Nugget Pale Ale (United States). By focusing on each individual hop variety, Green Flash brewers are again taking craft beer aficionados on an epic journey by putting their own bold take on the classic, drinkable Pale Ale.
The 2015 Hop Odyssey was a study of the Session IPA style. For the 2016 series Green Flash brewers brought their attention to the Pale Ale style to explore an interest in Simpsons Golden Promise, a classic UK pale malt.
“For this year’s National Homebrewers Conference in San Diego, we crafted a British-inspired pale ale, Golden Naked Promise, for which we selected Golden Promise malt,” explains Green Flash brewmaster Erik Jensen. “This was my first recipe for Green Flash and we wanted to further delve into and experiment with Golden Promise as our malt base for the 2016 Hop Odyssey.”
For the second consecutive year, an identical malt profile is the foundation of the Hop Odyssey series so the characteristics of each unique hop variety are able to dominate. Each 2016 series single-hop ale is built on a malt base of domestic 2-Row malted barley, English Golden Promise and Premium English Caramalt.
The 4.5% ABV and 65 IBU Segal Ranch, the third and final 2015 Hop Odyssey release, will be available nationwide through the end of the year on tap and in bottles. The first release of the 2016 series, Pacific Gem Pale Ale, will make its debut in January 2016 and will be available for a limited time nationwide on tap and in 6-packs. The ales are 5.5% ABV with 40 IBUs.
“Through the Hop Odyssey series, we’re able to take craft consumers along on the brewer’s process of discovery to really explore the characteristics of each individual hop,” says Green Flash CEO and Co-Founder, Mike Hinkley. “Erik pursued the hops that interested him most, and used them in a manner that’s consistent with what Green Flash is known for— boldly hoppy craft beers.”
FINAL HOP ODYSSEY 2015 RELEASE
Segal Ranch Session IPA
Using single-estate hops, hand-selected by former Green Flash Brewmaster Chuck Silva from Segal Ranch in Yakima, Washington, Segal Ranch Session IPA features Tomahawk, Centennial and Cascade. The verdant pungency and citrus aromatics from the Tomahawk hops serve as the perfect base layer to allow the flavors of bright floral and pine sap from Centennial hops to emerge on the palate. Notes of resinous citrus from Segal Ranch’s high-oil Cascade hops shine through the finish. Segal Ranch will be available beginning in October through the end of the year.
HOP ODYSSEY 2016 LINEUP
Pacific Gem Pale Ale January – April 2016
Pacific Gem’s hop intensity presents top notes of pungent pine and grapefruit rind accented by guava with a long, lingering finish.
Styrian Golding Pale Ale May – August 2016
The zesty bitter orange peel qualities of Styrian Golding hops are balanced by the English malt base, offering a slightly spicy, assertive, herbal and dry finish.
Nugget Pale Ale September – December 2016
Juicy and resonant, Oregon-grown Nugget hops offer subtle fruity qualities that feature prominently in the flavor profile with exceptional notes of peach and pear.
The final 2015 Hop Odyssey release, Segal Ranch, is now available in 6-packs, 22oz bottles and draft. All three 2016 Hop Odyssey releases, Pacific Gem, Styrian Golding and Nugget, will be available in six-packs and draft. Both series will be available in all 50 US states, wherever Green Flash beers are sold.
Green Flash Brewing Co. is located in San Diego, California, and was founded in 2002 by Mike and Lisa Hinkley. Brewmaster Erik Jensen leads brewing operations. Green Flash is an award-winning brewer of fine, hand-crafted ales and specializes in brewing assertive and distinctive beers, such as the nationally acclaimed West Coast I.P.A.: an award-winning beer whose wide acceptance has helped define a category. Green Flash is available in bottles and on draft nationally – offerings include a growing lineup of seasonal and limited release ales, including several barrel-aged beers. Visit the Green Flash website www.greenflashbrew.com for more information.
