In May the team at The Kernel had the pleasure of welcoming hop suppliers from Yakima Chief ranches to brew with them. They brought along some hops that they were excited to see in India Pale Ales, namely HBC 1019. HBC stands for Hop Breeding Company and is a joint venture between Yakima Chief Hops and Barth Haas (another of hops supplier) to co-develop new varieties of hops. Beyond the sensory qualities a hop may have, the programme tests hops in terms of their yield, vigour, resistance to pests & disease, etc.

In this IPA, HBC 1019 presents as super tropical, with a fruit sweetness (coconut/banana?) backed up with a vanilla tone, then round stone fruit and pine, and a citrus grapefruit finish. Pretty punchy. HBC are backing this variety to become a stalwart of the future. Hopefully with punchier name.