http://jamessquiredev.hollersydney.com.au/blog/?p=201
Australian beer lovers will soon be able to tantalise their tastebuds by trying the latest winter limited release from craft brewer James Squire. Hop Thief Ale is a smooth, deep amber brew featuring a unique blend of Australian hops to create an enticing floral bouquet. The third version of the popular limited release Hop Thief is again linked to the timing of the Australian hop harvest. The ale uses the late addition of hops to add a depth of aroma, flavour and complexity to the beer.
The Hop Thief limited releases all utilise unique hop varieties to highlight how hops can impact distinctively on the flavour of beer. The latest Hop Thief uses all Australian grown hop varieties to reflect the innovative approach and achieve unique characters in the finished beer.
The creation of Hop Thief was inspired by James Squires contributions to brewing in the early colony; Squire was the first successful grower of hops on Australian soil. Hop Thief Ale takes its name from the fact that Squire was forced to steal a small quantity of horehound to brew his first batch of beer, due to the scarcity of hops in the early colony.
Tony Jones, Chief Brewer reveals: The hops we are using to create the latest version of Hop Thief are a combination of the well established Australian variety Pride of Ringwood, which is known primarily as a bittering hop, and the locally-bred aroma variety known as Southern Hallertau.
We have used hop flowers secured fresh from the 2009 Tasmanian harvest rather than using the commonly available pellet form and add them late in the fermentation process so we capture the floral flavours otherwise lost during boiling.
Jones explains the fermentation process: Instead of using a hop back which runs hot wort over the hop flowers, the team at the Malt Shovel Brewery will be using an original process to infuse the hops by circulating beer late in the fermentation, over the hops and back into the vessel. The piece of equipment they will be using to carry out the process has been affectionately dubbed the Hopperator.
James Squires Hop Thief Ale is best enjoyed with spicy and flavoursome meat dishes or strong cheeses to balance out the bitterness of the beer making it perfect for savouring on a cold winters night.
Only 11,000 cases of the James Squire Hop Thief Ale have been produced, so beer lovers should embrace the cooler months and take this opportunity to taste great Australian craft beer at its best.
James Squire Hop Thief Ale is 5% ABV and will be available nationally in all good bottle shops from 8 June 2009 at a RRP of $57.99 per carton and RRP $18.99 per 6 pack ($59.99 & $19.99 in SA). It will also be available on tap in the James Squire Brewhouses in Sydney and Melbourne from the same date.