If you’re anything like Peaks and Pints and are into Caribbean voodoo then you’re a fan of Azacca, the Haitian god of agriculture. He’s a simple, gentle, hard working farmer and thus respected by the peasants. But, he’s also a hillbilly who likes to eat, drink, gossip and chase girls, which makes him an ideal character for a hop and a beer. In the world of American agriculture, Azacca — formerly known as #483 (a way lamer name) by developer American Dwarf Hop Association in Washington state — is a hop with big citrus and tropical fruit tones and excellent aromatic qualities, which have quickly made it a go-to hop for late and dry hop additions in varying styles of beer, and the focus of our beer flight today, Craft Beer Crosscut 1.16.19: A Flight of Azacca Hops.
Craft Beer Crosscut 1.16.19: A Flight of Azacca Hops
New Belgium Brut IPA
6.7% ABV, 40 IBU
Inspired by sparkling wine and partner Dick Cantwell’s foray into brewing Brut IPAs at sister brewery Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco, New Belgium Brewing’s Brut IPA is brewed with Pale and Pilsner malts balanced by Azacca, Nelson Sauvin, Citra, and Hull Melon hops. Brut IPA mashes wine notes with a beer backbone that delivers the best of both traditions for a bright and bubbly platinum blonde coloring with white grape and tropical aromas that give way to a refreshingly dry finish.
Stoup Viafuct IPA
6.8% ABV, 50 IBU
As Stoup Brewing began planning delivery routes around the Alaskan Way Viaduct/State Route 99 closure in downtown Seattle, the brewery realized they were about to get #fuct — so they brewed a beer to cheer themselves up. Viafuct IPA has a light malt bill balanced by Azacca and Loral hops. Expect a light and hoppy IPA with a floral finish.
No-Li Big Juicy
6.15% ABV, 55 IBU
At 55 IBUs and 6.15 percent ABV, No-Li Brewhouse’s Big Juicy is practically sessionable compared to traditional West Coast IPAs. Featuring the nectarous symphony of Citra, El Dorado, Azacca and Belma Hops, Big Juicy is just dripping with citrus and tropical flavors. Belma? Indeed — one of the newest varieties punches up the flavor with sweet orange, nectarous pineapple and rare hints of vine-ripe strawberries. Azacca represent with a tropical storm of spicy mango and juicy tangerine, adding in a touch of piney bitter. El Dorado and Citra push the nose to fruity extremes. No-Li Brewhouse won a silver medal for its Big Juicy IPA at the 2017 Australian International Beer Awards.
Stone IPA
6.9% ABV, 71 IBU
Since leading the San Diego lupulin charge in the mid-’90s, Stone Brewing Co. grew into the country’s 10th largest craft brewing company behind sales of some of the planet’s hoppiest creations, many of which are … you guessed it … IPAs. Three of Stone’s previous anniversary beers — Stone IPA, Stone Ruination IPA, and Stone Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA — were so well-received they are now brewed year-round and distributed nationally. Stone IPA explodes with tropical, citrusy, piney hop flavors and aromas — thanks to Azacca, Magnum, Chinook, Centennial, Calypso, Motueka Ella and Vic Secret hops — all perfectly balanced by a subtle malt character. This crisp, extra hoppy brew is hugely refreshing on a hot day.
Ecliptic Starburst IPA
7.8% ABV, 75 IBU
Brewmaster John Harris’ dream to make it easier to bring Ecliptic Brewing Co. on stargazing treks into the mountains became real when he selected a counter pressure canning system from Codi Manufacturing out of Golden, Colorado. He selected his juicy Starburst IPA to lead off the aluminum charge. The dry-hopped IPA explodes with Amarillo, Azacca, Centennial, Citra, Mosaic and Simcoe hops for fresh flavors of citrus, fruit and pine. Starburst is backed by 100 percent pale malt for a super clean finish and puts the focus on the hop flavors and aromas.
