Paradise Creek Announces Seasonal Release of Alpha Madness Fresh Hop IPA
It doesn’t get any more freshly-hopped than this, from field-to-kettle Alpha Madness will be set loose on October 2nd.
Living and brewing in the Pacific Northwest certainly has its perks. Especially when it is harvest season for hop farmers here in Washington State, where about 70% of North American commercial hops are produced. While we enjoy plenty of IPAs from breweries around the country, here at Paradise Creek Brewery in Pullman, Washington, we have the unique opportunity – nay, obligation – to brew a truly fresh-hopped ale when the season is right.
The brew day is a long one with one brewer mashing in while the other takes off towards our hop-farming friends at Carpenter Ranches in Granger, WA. This year’s crop yielded us 190 pounds of Citra and Mosaic hops; both varieties are known for their complex array of citrus and tropical fruit tones. The bounty of fresh hop cones were loaded up and so began the three-hour trek back to Pullman arriving just in time to add them into the already-in-progress brew.
“There’s a certain level of excitement and adventure in brewing a beer with hops right off of the bine,” says Tom Handy, Paradise Creek’s founder. “Timing is everything when it comes to these brew days. We’re fortunate and honored to be collaborating with Carpenter Ranches on the Alpha Madness IPA for three years now. Tweaking the hop varieties and quantities from prior batches makes each release unique and thrilling.”
In addition to fresh hops being used in the boil, brewers will be making a second trip to Carpenter Ranches when Equinox hops are harvested. “We asked the question, ‘why not dry hop with fresh hops?'” states Keith Tyler, Paradise Creek brewer. “We want to push our limits when it comes to brewing this highly-anticipated seasonal. Our fans put a lot of pressure on us to make Alpha Madness a mind-blowing IPA and we gladly take the challenge to beat their expectations.”
As a part of our mission to expand the availability of Paradise Creek styles to craft drinkers across the states of Washington and Idaho, we’re thrilled to announce that a limited amount of Alpha Madness will be bottled and made available for distribution, along with 1/6th barrel kegs.
The beer will be on tap and available in 22-ounce bottles at the brewpub in Pullman beginning Friday, October 2nd. Alpha Madness will also be making appearances at the Fresh Hop Ale Festival in Yakima and the Inland NW Craft Beer Festival in Spokane the first weekend in October.
Alpha Madness Quick Facts
Name: Alpha Madness Fresh Hop IPA
URL: paradisecreekbrewery.com/?attachment_id=499
Stats: 6.8% ABV, 73 IBUs
Availability: 22-ounce bottles and on draft, beginning October 2nd
Hops Bill: Citra, Mosaic, Equinox and Summit
Distribution: Inland Northwest by Click East Distributing. Seattle area by Paradise Creek Brewery.
Sound like a can’t miss during my favorite season.