PASO ROBLES, Calif. — The next release in Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion revolving hop series arrives with Revolution No. 009 — a freethinking blend of six “public domain” hop varieties from the Pacific Northwest and Germany.
“I am passionate about public domain hops that may not have the cachet of their privatized brethren, but that are cooler than some might think,” says Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, “Revolution No. 009 is all about showcasing these unsung varieties.”
Luponic Distortion Revolution No. 009 is now shipping to all Firestone Walker markets.
Luponic Distortion is not a single beer, but rather an ongoing series of beers that revolves approximately every 90 days. While the base beer always remains the same, each revolution features a different hop blend built around experimental hops, designed to showcase the growing possibilities of pure hop aromas and flavors without any assist from fruit or other adjuncts.
Unsung Surprises
As a teaching consultant for the Hop Growers of America and a founding member of the Hop Quality Group, Brynildson has long been a proponent of public domain hops as a complement to proprietary privatized varieties.
“A lot of people tend to think of American public domain hops as ‘old school’ stuff, but we’ve fallen in love with some newer ones and thought it would be fun to bring them to the forefront with Revolution No. 009,” Brynildson said, noting that in Germany all hop varieties are part of the public domain. “I think people might be surprised at how fresh and interesting these hops can be.”
The lead hops in Revolution No. 009 include two public domain varieties from the Pacific Northwest—one that provides exotic tropical fruit and coconut notes, and another that offers a balance of earthy pine and citrus qualities. The German hops round out the blend with a dimension of bright fruitiness.
“Don’t get me wrong—we love and use a ton of privatized hops here at the brewery,” Brynildson said. “That said, it’s also nice to shine a spotlight on these public cultivars that are readily available to all domestic hop growers.”
About Firestone Walker
Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery founded in 1996 and located on the coast of California. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. For more information: FirestoneBeer.com.