Something about hops that are scarcely available draws me to try and use them in my homebrew efforts. While I enjoy using bittering hops such as Galena, Nugget, and Bravo, which are easy to buy, I like the thrill of crafting beer with less-known hop varieties. Tillicum hops are a bittering hop from the Haas […]

I spent more than a decade working in bars, and I had the opportunity to meet and serve all sorts of people with all different tastes. When I moved from a position as the beverage director of a craft beer bar in a city to bartending on a rooftop in a small resort town, I

New Zealand has become a focal point for me recently in my quest to try different hop varieties. After being introduced to Motueka Hops and using Nelson Sauvin occasionally, I turned my attention to Riwaka hops. This citrus-heavy aroma hop is capable of creating beautiful IPAs and pale ales, and in my opinion, it’ll also

Even though I like the tradition of using hops that have been around for decades, I always get excited when a new type of hop enters the market. When I first heard about Triumph hops, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some to see what all the fuss was about. Bred as part

I’m going to confess something that feels like an industry secret. I used to make a lot of money selling Victory Sour Monkey. I was the beverage director for a couple of bars in Boston, including a beer bar that offered 32 drafts and over 50 bottles and cans on any given day. I chose

Beer is the most consumed alcoholic beverage in Japan, and contrary to popular belief, the beer culture and scene are thriving. Japan imports an estimated 95% of all types of hops featured in its beers, with the majority sourced from Germany and the United States.  Ironically, the wild Japanese hop variety (Humulus japonicus) is an

There’s a large market for flavored sparkling water. Popular brands are sold in every major retail store so you can grab some anywhere. Famous sparkling waters such as La Croix and Bubly are what come to people’s minds at first mention. And yeah, maybe those choices are nice and refreshing, but you want something different.