One Drop Brewing's Clean Fusion technique revolutionizes IPA brewing

In the world of brewing, cleanliness is often equated with perfection. However, Sydney's One Drop Brewing is redefining this notion with their innovative approach to brewing IPAs. Head brewer Nick Calder-Scholes has introduced a groundbreaking technique called Clean Fusion, which involves cleaning IPAs twice – once before and once after dry hopping. This process aims to remove particulates that hop oils would typically attach to, ensuring a more authentic hop character in the finished beer.

A New Era of IPA Brewing

One Drop's Clean Fusion concept is a game-changer in the world of IPA brewing. By cleaning the beer before and after dry hopping, the brewery is able to achieve a more true-to-style hop profile while addressing common issues like hop creep, hop burn, and shelf stability. This approach represents a shift towards modernizing the brewing process to maximize hop potential and create exceptional, high-quality IPAs.

The Evolution of Clean Fusion

Nick Calder-Scholes and the team at One Drop Brewing have been refining the Clean Fusion technique for over a year, experimenting with different methods to perfect their process. The use of a Plug & Win skid mounted centrifuge from GEA has been instrumental in achieving their desired results. While the centrifuge plays a key role in the cleaning process, Nick emphasizes that there are multiple ways to achieve the same goal, and breweries should utilize the tools they have available.

The Clean Fusion Process

The Clean Fusion process begins post-fermentation with a quick clean to remove yeast and other impurities. This is followed by a standard centrifuge run after dry hopping to eliminate hop particulates. Timing is crucial in this process, as the beer must undergo necessary rest periods and fermentation stages before and after the cleaning steps. By carefully managing these steps, One Drop Brewing is able to preserve the essential hop oils while achieving a clean and vibrant hop profile in their IPAs.

Inspiring Innovation in Brewing

One Drop Brewing hopes that by sharing their Clean Fusion concept, they will inspire other breweries to think creatively about their brewing processes. While the technique may not be suitable for every brewery, the underlying principle of maximizing hop potential and pushing the boundaries of traditional brewing practices is a valuable lesson for the industry as a whole. As Nick Calder-Scholes puts it, "We're trying to brew modern beers, but are we approaching that in a modern way?"

With their pioneering approach to IPA brewing, One Drop Brewing is leading the way in innovation and experimentation. The Clean Fusion technique is just one example of how breweries can push the boundaries of traditional brewing methods to create exceptional and unique beers. As the craft beer industry continues to evolve, it is clear that creativity and ingenuity will play a crucial role in shaping the future of brewing.