Cascade is marking its 200th birthday celebrations with the release of a fresh hop, which has been brewed using hops less then one day after they have been picked off the bine.
This is the fourth year in a row that Cascade has released its First Harvest beer, which this year will be available in Victoria as well. Brewers have added an extra 220 kegs to the already limited run, with a total of 400 kegs brewed and served fresh on tap.
First Harvest is a Pale Ale brewed using fresh Enigma hops grown by Hop Products Australia (HPA) at their Bushy Park Estates farm in the Derwent Valley, combined with dry Tasmanian Cascade and Galaxy hops.
Cascade Brewery’s Head Brewer Brendan Flanagan said a special beer was needed this year to celebrate the historic milestone for Cascade’s 200 years.
“This year’s Cascade First Harvest is a well-balanced fresh hop Pale Ale, with a tropical passionfruit and melon aroma and red fruit undertones, complemented by biscuity malt character and a crisp finish,” Flanagan said.
“Fresh hop beers have a distinctive, earthy flavour, which beer drinkers have grown to love as they experiment with new tastes and smells.”
“It’s as much an adventure for us in the brewery, as the hop aromatics develop over time.”
Most beer is brewed using dry hop pellets due to the once-a-year harvest, which ensures a constant supply of beer.
Head of Sales & Marketing, Owen Johnston from Hop Products Australia said: “First Harvest is a true celebration of Tasmanian beer and Tasmanian agriculture. At no other time of the year can you enjoy a beer that is perfectly seasoned with hops that were harvested mere hours before they arrived at the brewery. It’s an opportunity not to be missed.”
First Harvest is available at a limited number of venues in Victoria and Tasmania, including at the Cascade Brewery Bar.