Hops are known for traditionally coming in two main styles: old world and new world.
Old world hops, such as Saaz, Tettnang, and Hallertau, have stood the test of time and remain the backbone of traditional European beer styles with their spicy, earthy and a little floral notes. Meanwhile, new world hops (from US, Aus, NZ) like Cascade, Citra, and Simcoe bring the fruity, citrusy, and piney flavours to the party and have taken over the modern beer world of IPAs and pales for the past few decades.
However, you may be asking: where have Hawkers pulled all these medieval entertainment meets DC Universe themed hops from? These hop varieties are changing the way we look at old world hop production and starting to bridge the gap between old and new. Harlequin, Jester, and Ernest are hops produced in Europe, but display characteristics usually associated with new world hop producing countries.
Harlequin, developed in England, brings the best of both worlds with a unique blend of fruity, floral, and spicy flavours.
Jester, also hailing from England, adds tropical fruit and blackcurrant to the mix, making it a hit for modern British-style pale ales and IPAs.
Ernest, the Kentish hop, rounds the trio out with a spicy, citrusy profile, and a hint of apricot.
Enjoy exploring Hawker’s ‘Old Chap, New Tricks’ which features these three exciting and rarely seen hops. We look forward to seeing what else these old world hop producers come up with!
Images: Hop images from Charles Faram.
