Brussels Gets a New Gueuze Producer
Brussels Beer Project is marking the 10th anniversary of its brand with the release of its first traditional gueuze, called Dansaert, named for the street where its taproom and brewery opened in 2015. While lambic production and gueuze blending have made a steady comeback in the Pajottenland region, just west and southwest of Brussels, Cantillon has been the only gueuze producer in the city of Brussels for decades. Brussels Beer Project says it made 90 hectoliters (about 77 barrels) of Dansaert, with plans to release the beer September 9 and 10 at its Wanderlust Anniversary Festival. Brewer Tiago Falcone describes the gueuze as having notes of “peach and apricot, mingling with floral and oaky accents from its maturation in barrels. On the palate, it combines lively acidity with a soft, velvety mouthfeel.”
California Senate Endorses National Black Brewers Day
By a vote of 38-0, the California State Senate on August 28 unanimously approved a resolution to proclaim October 10 as Black Brewers Day. That date commemorates the day in 1970 when Ted Mack hosted a celebration of his purchase of the People’s Brewery in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, thought to be the first Black-owned brewery in the United States. The state resolution encourages Californians to participate with various events. Initiated by Kevin Johnson—former NBA player, former Sacramento mayor, and current owner of Oak Park Brewing—the recently formed National Black Brewers Association has been advocating for the establishment of a National Black Brewers Day as part of its mission to promote more Black brewery ownership and involvement in the industry.
Hop YQH-1320 EXP Gets a Proper Name: Elani
Just as harvest was getting under way, hop distributor Yakima Quality Hops announced a new name—Elani—for proprietary variety YQH-1320 EXP. YQH describes Elani as having “tropical notes of pineapple and guava along with white peach and citrus aromas of tangerine, lime, and orange zest,” as well as being “clean and bright.” The company says that the variety has high heat tolerance and high yields and that it’s currently being grown in Washington by CLS Farms and Leo Gasseling & Sons, and in Idaho by Gooding Farms. YQH owner Tim Sattler originally found the hop in Idaho’s St. Joe River Valley, an area where brewers going back to the late 19th century cultivated hops; Elani may have been the result of cross-pollination there. The name honors Sattler’s late sister, Melanie.
Marrero and Janish to Keynote Brew Asia
Formerly known as SEA Brew, the annual Brew Asia conference has announced that its keynote speakers this year will be Garrett Marrero, founder and CEO of Hawaii’s Maui Brewing, and Scott Janish, cofounder of Maryland’s Sapwood Cellars and author of The New IPA: Scientific Guide to Aroma and Flavor. The conference is scheduled for October 19 and 20 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
PakTech Launches in Australia
PakTech, the maker of plastic handles for beer cans and other packaging, recently announced its launch of manufacturing in Australia. The company says it has seen organic growth among breweries and other customers there and that its handles made from 100 percent recycled plastic can help Australian companies meet their sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. Through its partnership with the recycling company Visy, PakTech says its handles will be produced in Australia with recycled Australian plastic and that they can likewise be recycled again.
Haas Releases New Cold-Side Hop Extract, HopKick
John I. Haas and BarthHaas have announced the release of a new hop product meant for adding to the cold side of the brewing process for flavor and aroma, applicable to beer as well as beverages such as hop waters, teas, and more. Haas says that HopKick is a flowable, water-soluble solution fully derived from hops, variety-specific and true-to-type. It’s initially available in Centennial, Citra, El Dorado, and Mosaic. A usage guide, white paper, and more are available on the company’s website.