Big Rock Brewery announces Anthea Wet Hop Ale, our newest Alchemist Edition release.
You can expect the same smooth taste and citrusy notes as we brewed in our 2013 version, but this time Brewmaster Paul Gautreau has kept the beer unfiltered and added even more fresh hops.
Anthea is made with fresh Cascade hops from Washington's Yakima Valley and we're excited to report that this year's hop harvest is better than ever. These aromatic cones were picked from the vine, packed on dry ice, jetted to Calgary and put into our brew kettle in less than 24 hours. The result? Brewmaster Paul Gautreau put it best by saying, "Anthea is an aroma and mouthful of hops that will transport you to the fields of Yakima. Straight from the vine, you will never find a fresher flavour than what you get in this Wet Hop Ale."
Wet hop beers are only brewed once a year immediately after the annual hop harvest in late summer or early fall. This is unique because the fresh hops are a very delicate ingredient and once the hops are picked from the vine they have to be in our brew house as soon as possible in order to prevent them from spoiling. In fact, we start brewing Anthea while the hops are still in the air on their way to Calgary.
Only 5,000 bottles are being produced, making this brew one of our more limited releases. Available in a 650ml bomber bottle, Anthea Wet Hop Ale makes its appearance October 24th, 2014 in Alberta and British Columbia.