Key Takeaways
- Other Half Brewery has grown from a small Brooklyn brewery to a multi-location powerhouse known for its IPAs.
- Their popular beer, Broccoli, has evolved over the years with intentional hop selection.
- Expertly chosen hops are crucial to maintaining the brewery's reputation for high-quality hazy IPAs.
The Evolution of Broccoli IPA
Other Half Brewery's Broccoli IPA has become a fan favorite over the years, evolving with intentional hop selection. Originally featuring hops like Cascade and Hallertau Blanc, the recipe now includes Strata, Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe, and Mosaic, with Cryo versions adding a unique dimension to the beer.
The Importance of Hop Selection
For Other Half Brewery, known for its hazy IPAs, hop selection is crucial to maintaining the quality and reputation of their beers. Co-founder and brewmaster Sam Richardson emphasizes the importance of choosing hops that are pungent and free from negative characteristics, ruling out overly resinous flavors that don't align with their brand.
The Hop Selection Process
Other Half Brewery takes hop selection seriously, making two trips to Yakima each year to choose the best hops for their beers. Richardson and his team carefully select hops like Simcoe, Centennial, and Cashmere early in the season, while sending head brewers to pick prime-time hops like Citra and Mosaic. They have also traveled to New Zealand to source hops from Freestyle Hops, including Nelson hops used in Broccoli.
Continuing the Legacy
As Other Half Brewery continues to expand and innovate, their commitment to quality hop selection remains unwavering. By carefully choosing hops that enhance the flavors of their beers, they uphold their reputation for producing some of the finest hazy IPAs in the craft beer industry.