Charleston Brewing does Anton Lutz tribute

Charleston Brewing Company released a new IPA that is a tribute to Bavarian hop breeder Anton Lutz. Lutz is best known for his development of the much sought-after Mandarina Bavaria hop, which has a distinct honeydew melon aroma to go along with its strong tangerine and citrus flavors.

Lutz’s hop varieties accentuate fruit in both taste and aroma but are softer and less piney-resiny than the popular West Coast IPA hop varieties.

I tried the beer, Anton, at Pies & Pints–Charleston, on Friday and found it much to my liking. From surveying a few others who were also trying it, I think Ryan has hit on a good one, using the Mandarina Bavaria hop.

While IPAs are the most popular beer style today, you are just beginning to see more American IPAs flavored with German hops. CBC’s brewer, Ryan Heastings, told me that Lutz was a personal hero of his and that he much admired Lutz’s hop breeding work.

I think Anton the beer is a superb tribute to Anton-the-man. My wish is for continued success to both Ryan and Anton in their respective trades. Beer drinkers are better off for them both.

Pictured above is a fresh glass of CBC’s Anton tapped at Pie & Pints, Charleston. Pies was the first account to get this new German IPA as part of a special West Virginia breweries tap takeover at the restaurant.

New German hop varieties hit US market

Pictured above is another one of the Hüll Special Flavor Hops to come out of the breeding program led by Anton Lutz. These Bavarian hops have a mixed parentage of German and US hop varieties. American and European brewers are beginning to use these new German hybrids as they become more widely available. Beyond CBC’s Anton, I’ve seen other Mandarina Bavaria IPAs from Victory Brewing Company and Nøgne Ø.

— Charles Bockway • Ⓒ 2014