Variation in hop use continues IPA enthusiasm in WV beer market

It’s been a few years now, but in West Virginia, IPAs still seem to be going strong. It’s not that other beer styles are declining (well, maybe a few are) but it’s that IPAs get relatively more of the market’s attention — and especially attention at places like Short Story Brewing.

A big part of that attention comes from IPAs being a very hop-centric beer style, and hops are still creating a lot of excitement in the brewing world.

One compeling thing about IPAs is their strength as a proving ground for new hop varieties, especially for aroma hops. As many of you are aware, the craft beer market is the primary driver responsible for the development of new aroma hop varieties, especially in the United States (Pacific Northwest) and New Zealand.

Hops used to be all about bitterness. Today, accomplished brewers like Short Story understand hops more as a deliverer of flavors and aroma. Yes, there is still a backbone of bitterness that balances the malt, but the drinkability of contemporary IPAs brings so much more than bitterness.

Hop flavors, aromas abound

For instance, there’s no better example of a flavorful hoppy-beer proving ground than can be found in a new IPA at Short Story Brewing in Rivesville, West Virginia. Its Over Zealous IPA gives trial to a 4-hop blend of New Zealand hops, which includes the Nelson Sauvin, Motueka, Wakatu, and Waimea varieties. They’ve skillfully blended the flavors and kept just enough bitterness for balance.

Nelson Sauvin

First released in 2000, Nelson Sauvin is an aroma hop known for its fruity, upfront characteristics of white wine (especially similar to wine Sauvignon Blanc grapes) and and gooseberry.

Motueka

First released in 1998, it is a cross which has the European Saaz hop as on of its parents. The versatile Motueka offers an aroma described as citrus, lemon/lime, and tropical fruits.

Wakatu

This variety was originally released in 1988 but has become much more prevalent in recent years. Among its parents are the classic Hallertau Mittelfruh. This is a dual purpose hop with a strong earthy-spicy-sweet Hallertau characteristics and some tropical fruit touches.

Waimea

Released to the commercial market in 2012, Waimea was bred from Saaz, Fuggle ,and Cluster hops. In beer, it produces aromas like pine and orange-rich citrus.

None of the above hop varieties are inexpensive, a fact which largely limits their use to craft beers that can sell for the price needed to pay for that premium hop cost. But it’s so worth it.

Spotlight on hop experimentation in IPAs

American brewers, especially those at IPA-centric breweries, love to experiment with blending different hops to produce beers with an attractive and distinctive tastes.

The fact that, even in little West Virginia, we have brewers who masterfully experiment with hop blends, is something we can be proud of. At Short Story Brewing, brewers Mike Kopischke (brewing manager) and Cody Higinbotham (head of brewing) have developed a real talent for making tasty IPAs.

No other WV brewery has done more experimentation with hop blends. Since its opening in 2017, they have greatly expanded the IPA envelop in the state.

By brewing so many variations on the IPA theme, they’ve brought tremendous flavor variety to the local beer market. If you are not hop-experienced, try their IPAs and you’ll likely be saying “Yum. I didn’t know hops could taste like that.”

This talent has kept their IPAs relevant. And the quality of their beer is largely responsible for their brewery’s success and business growth. This success has led the brewery to build three additional taprooms, each of which does a hoppin’ good business.

Do some tasting

From its early IPAs that are still in the rotation (i.e. Chasing Daylight, Two For The Show, and Infinity +1, and Sideways Glance) to its newer ones (such as Time to Reflect, Coastal Clarity, Switch Frequencies, and The Glowdown), Short Story Brewing shows its mastery of the style.

If you want to be up to date with many of the best hop varieties, get out to a Short Story taproom and give their IPA taps a try. Flights are always available.

The brewery also does a credible job with other beer styles, so if you’re not into IPA, you’ll find tasty lagers, stouts, sours, and more.

Taproom locations

• Rivesville, WV
• Charleston, WV
• Morgantown, WV
• Deep Creek, MD

Lots of good info at the Short Story Brewing Instagram page and on Facebook.